Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
After the Start Here module, You should review the Prerequisite Task pages and either "View" each page to access Module 1:
- Your LinkedIn Profile and LinkedIn Learning (LiL) Account must be activated and connected before the first class session.
- The Connect: LinkedIn Learning Account and LinkedIn Profile in the Prerequisite Tasks module contains:
- LinkedIn Profile and LinkedIn Learning Account information
- Instructions to Connect your Learning Account to your LinkedIn profile
- View the Guest Speaker bio and submit a question for the speaker to address before the first Live Session.
- Review the Weekly Networking
Course Materials
Reading
- Harvard Business Review Coursepack: Digital collection of articles and case study prepared to align with each module topic and the course learning outcomes. The readings chosen reflect the best of the most recent strategic communication and leadership theory and practice. You will need to purchase the coursepack at Clark B AD 5970 before the course begins as the first reading assignment occurs in Week 1.
Media
- LinkedIn Learning Course Videos: Weekly course videos assigned in Canvas and accessed through LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning is a paid service, but OU students have free access.
Professional Network
- Each week you will connect with a professional in your network that demonstrates leadership and expertise in the module's topic. Before the course starts, you should review your professional network connections and make a plan for setting up a time to talk to one person each week.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Attendance in class is great, but answering questions during lecture & actively participating in group discussion are crucial to getting the most out of this class. | 100 |
| Guest Speaker Preparation | After reviewing the speaker bios, you will need to submit two questions in a discussion post before the speaker's visit. Questions are due the Sunday before the Live Session by 11:59 PM (Central). | 70 |
| LinkedIn Learning Certifications | After completing the LinkedIn trainings relevant to each module topic, the certification will need to appear on your personal LinkedIn page. Be aware that some modules have two required videos. Certification submissions are due the Tuesday before the Live Session by 12:00 PM, noon (Central). | 90 |
| Self-Assessment Quizzes | To help you reflect on your leadership and communication skills and attributes, you will need to complete a different self-assessment before each class. Quiz results are due the Tuesday before the Live Session by 12:00 PM, noon. | 70 |
| Pre-Lecture Journal: Reflection and Weekly Networking | Your Pre-Lecture journal will be text submitted via Canvas. For our first class, you will answer a prompt about your expectations for this course. For each class after, you will submit your feedback after conducting a 30-minute interview with a professional within your network. Reflections are due the Tuesday before the Live Session by 12:00 PM, noon. | 70 |
| Post-Lecture Journal: Reflection | For your Post-Lecture Journal entries, you will answer a prompt in a discussion post. To get full credit for each Post-Lecture Journal, you will also need to comment on at least two posts from your colleagues. Initial post due by Thursday 11:59 PM. Two response posts due by the following Tuesday at 12:00 PM, noon. | 140 |
| Final Presentation: Leadership Plan, Presentation, and Peer Feedback | After creating a Leadership Development Plan designed to help you continue strengthening your leadership and communication skills, you will create a powerpoint presentation on this plan that you will present in your groups. You will also be expected to provide constructive feedback to your colleagues on their presentations. | 160 |
| Total | 700 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Live Session Attendance and Participation
During our live sessions via lecture, we will synthesize the information you have collected from your reading, the LinkedIn Learning videos, self-assessments, and guest speakers into a further exploration of each module’s topic. This discussion will continue in small breakout groups where you and your colleagues will dive deeper into your own experiences and perspectives on each topic.
Guest Speaker Preparation
Each week, a guest speaker will join the Live Session to contribute relevant insight and offer a unique perspective to the module's topic. To prepare for the guest speaker, you will submit 1-2 questions beforehand for the speaker's review and to support meaningful dialogue during the Live Session.
LinkedIn Learning Certifications
Each week, you will complete assigned LinkedIn Learning video courses that connect to to the module's topic. Once you complete each course, you will earn a certificate of completion and connect it to your personal LinkedIn profile. Adding the completed LinkedIn Learning certifications you'll earn throughout the course to your LinkedIn profile will show your professional network your willingness to learn and the skills you've earned through these trainings. By the end of the course, your LinkedIn profile should showcase a robust list of certifications you've earned.
Self-Assessment Quizzes
What is your leadership style? What are the strongest skills you bring to the workplace? Self-aware leaders are the most effective leaders, and self-assessment tools can help identify your natural talents, understand more about yourself and how you relate to others, and learn where you might need more training or experience. Throughout the course, you will take online self-assessment quizzes in select modules. These quizzes will help maximize your understanding of your potential for growth within each module's topic.
Pre-Lecture Journal: Weekly Networking
The benefits of networking are invaluable. Networking strengthens your professional reputation, connections, visibility, and career opportunities. How often have you reflected on what you can learn from your own professional network? Each week you will connect with a professional in your network that demonstrates leadership and expertise in the module's topic. After your meeting, you will submit a journal summary in which you reflect on key takeaways from the meeting. For guidance on meeting with mentors including possible questions to ask, go here.
Post-Lecture Journal: Reflection
The post-lecture journal reflection will facilitate processing what we have learned through the week's interview, video(s), reading(s), lecture, guest speaker, and group discussion. Once you thoroughly answer the reflection prompt, you will also need to comment on the reflection posts of two of your colleagues.
Final Project: Leadership Development Plan
The purpose of this exercise is to allow you to process and organize much of what you have learned about leadership and yourself into a useful leadership tool. The Leadership Development Plan final project will be completed in the following parts:
- Report: 5 - 10 pages, double-spaced in length; submitted to instructor via Canvas during Week 7.
- Presentation (materials): 5 - 10 minutes; pre-recorded video submitted to instructor via Canvas during Week 7; live presentation to small groups via breakout groups during Week 8.
- Presentation (Live Session): small group reflective discussions and peer feedback on live presentations; completed during Live Session Week 8.
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to contact me, please e-mail me directly at breea@ou.edu. Canvas messaging is unreliable, please only use OU email for communication with me. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours, 48 hours max. Please note that work-life balance is very important to me, and I make an effort to avoid checking e-mail on the weekends if at all possible.
How will we address each other? My pronouns are she/her/hers. In terms of titles, perhaps I am old school in this thinking but unless we've gotten our nails done together or you've had dinner at my home, calling me by first name is inappropriate. I am fortunate to have many titles for you to choose from, but Ms. Clark works just fine. If you go by a name other than the one listed in Canvas, please tell me how you prefer to be addressed. Additionally, if I mispronounce your name, do not hesitate to correct me. Respecting another's preferred pronouns, titles, and pronunciations is an easy way to show respect to your colleagues and is something I take very seriously.
Feedback
Assignments will be graded within one week of submission. If you would like a deeper dive into any feedback or grade you receive, I am happy to set up individual Zoom meetings to discuss further.
Late Policy
All graded assignments must be completed by the assigned due date. Any extensions of assignment due dates due to university-excused absences or for personal reasons (sickness, family emergency, etc.) must be arranged prior to the assigned due date.
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Generally
You will find the standard statement on plagiarism and academic integrity below. At this point in your educational career, I am confident you have read both many times, and I am sure you are aware that these incredibly important rules and guidelines are in place to protect the value of your investment in your education as well as to safeguard the integrity of your degree. What you may not be aware of is the fact that I started my career at the University of Oklahoma helping to build what you know to be the Office of Academic Integrity Programs. While academic integrity is something we should all be passionate about, it is something that has literally defined my professional career. I cannot urge you enough to take your responsibility of knowing the rules seriously, because I can assure you that I do. Don't insult me by cheating. Don't disrespect yourself and your colleagues by cheating. If you have questions about something, ask before you submit your work. I am always happy to help clarify these rules, but "act now and ask for forgiveness later" is not a philosophy I abide by in my classroom.
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|