B.A. in Organizational Leadership Courses

Courses

The Organizational Leadership major consists of 40 semester credits. For course sequence, request a program calendar. Credits are listed in parentheses.

GENS413P • The Modern World: Trends and Forces Impacting Organizations (3)
Survey of technological, economic, political, cultural, and religious trends as well as forces shaping our global and personal futures. Exploration of alternative Christian worldviews and modes of thinking and learning that might be useful in responding to these challenges.

ORGL300 • Adult Development and Learning (2)
Study of adult development theories in order for learners to understand better the areas of adult psychological, spiritual/faith, and cognitive development, and to provide a developmental context for the study of leadership. Additional emphasis is on self-understanding and learning styles. Graded on an S/U basis.

ORGL320 • Theories of Organizations and Leadership (4)
Foundation for exploring theories related to two major topics: the role and function of leadership and the characteristics of an organization. Overview of how organizations are formed; the role of individuals in establishing and maintaining organizations; and the function of groups, teams, and departments. Exploration of the role of a leader in relation to organizational structure, culture, goals, and purposes. Identification of critical issues related to ethics, values, diversity, and social justice that affect leadership decisions.

ORGL340 • Principles of Scholarly Writing and Research (3)
Instruction and practice in scholarly writing as preparation for the program’s writing assignments. A practical approach to expository essay structure, and reading and writing research studies. Bibliographic instruction, writing portions of a literature review, and an introduction to principles of survey research are included.

ORGL350 • Leadership Communication (3)
Effective leadership is grounded in good communication. The way a leader communicates reflects the ability to successfully influence and impact others with integrity. Exploration of the practices, skills, and tools necessary to focus on the leader as the communication champion.

ORGL370 • Technology and Leadership (3)
Exploration of ways that information technologies have transformed the traditional roles of markets, organizations, and individuals. Examination of how technology and people interact. Consideration of questions that can help leaders understand the massive social changes taking place in the wake of the information revolution, as well as personal responsibility in light of those forces. Equips leaders with new approaches and strategic thinking by examining the informational web that is the setting for today’s organizations.

ORGL400 • Principles of Leading and Managing (3)
Examination of principles of authority, power, politics, decision making, and influence. Consideration of questions such as “What is leadership?” and “What makes a good leader?” Exploration of differences between leadership and management and the role of follower. Examination of the impact of leader/manager behavior on the organization.

ORGL420 • Moving Toward Global Leadership (3)
Study of the leadership implications surrounding cultural diversity within organizations in the context of social justice and the biblical concept of shalom. Strategies for cross-cultural self-awareness and application of ideas to learners’ organizations. Prerequisite: GENS413P.

ORGL440 • Organizational Research (3)
Provides an understanding of the foundations required for conducting a formal social research project within the context of an organizational setting. Encourages critical thinking through exposure to quality research of various types. Data collection and sampling techniques, issues of effective measurement, and ethical questions are given significant attention. Instruction and experience in understanding the various facets of the basic social science research model. Prerequisite: ORGL340.

ORGL462 • Integrated Principles for Practical Leadership (4)
Focus is on an integrated paradigm that brings together the broad field of leadership. Examination of real versus perceived issues, in real time, with discussion considering the impact of ethics and trust. Study of the implications of management’s “best practices” and how these practices impact morale, employee contribution, and organizational effectiveness. Prerequisite: ORGL400.

ORGL465 • Applied Leadership Ethics (2)
Focus is on the impact of ethics on the resolution of personal and organizational issues through the application of authentic leadership (ORGL462). Consideration is given to how ethical growth occurs from a biblical perspective as well as the relationship of ethics to emotional intelligence. Prerequisites: ORGL400, ORGL462, PHIL320.

ORGL490 • Leadership and Change (2)
Consideration of the various components of change and transformation in relation to leading, managing, and following. Examination of the role of the leader in promoting an environment that allows for the well-being of the individual as well as the organization. Designed as a senior seminar in which learners integrate and synthesize their learning experiences in the program. Prerequisite: ORGL462.

PHIL320 • Introduction to Ethics (2)
Introduction to ethics, with the intent of preparing learners to apply ethical principles to moral dilemmas faced within the workplace. Special emphasis will be given to the relationship between ethics and leadership.

THEO415 • Understanding Worldviews (3)
Study of the basic elements of a Christian philosophy of life including comparison with other life philosophies and application to life in contemporary organizations and professions.

For currently enrolled students, the minor in Organizational Leadership consists of ORGL101, ORGL320, ORGL370, ORGL400, ORGL420, and ORGL462.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to withdraw, modify, or add to the list of courses or the course descriptions.