MALA 60970:Character, Communication,and Leadership

Preparation for Mid-Term Exam

The purpose of this exam is to show that you have read, comprehended, and thought deeply about the content we have covered so far. The exam will consist of two parts.

PART ONE: 60 minutes

Four questions worth 12 points each will be drawn from the following list. Plan to writeadouble-spaced page or twofor each question. Some will require more writing than others.To earn full credit in this section, include more than recall of course material alone as you relate the material to your own life experience.

  1. Briefly describe the theoretical model of leadership we discussed in class. How does the cultivation of good character relate to this model? Be specific, and include an example or illustration to apply the model to your own life experience.
  1. Briefly describe the research conducted by Dr. Kinnier and his colleagues. For example, what data did they analyze, and what conclusions did they draw? To what extent do our nine traits align with Kinnier’s universal moral values?
  1. Briefly describe cognitive-developmental and virtue ethics theories of moral development, including general concepts, notable scholars, and specific examples or illustrationsfrom your own life experience. Which viewpoint do you more readily support, and why?
  1. Briefly describe Kohlberg’s three stages of moral development. Which stage do you think best reflects where you are today? Be honest, and justify/explain your answer with a specific illustration from a recent experience.
  1. Tell me what you know about attribution theory. How do the tenets of the theory explain differences between your character self-assessment and your assessment of others?Include theory-specific terms and concepts in your answer.
  1. Tell me what you know about the theoretical construct of emerging adulthood. Include the chief characteristics of this age group, as well as the indicators of reaching full adulthood.Are there ways in which you diverge from the typical emerging adult? Explain your answer.
  1. Tell me what you know about postmodernism. In what ways do you find postmodern pluralism to be liberating? Can it also become overwhelming or destabilizing at times? Use original illustrations to explain your answer.

PART TWO: 60 minutes

This part of the exam focuses on character traits. The purpose is to show that you can make conceptual connections between the content we covered in class (Power Points, videos, discussions) and outside resourcesyou read on your own (textbook, articles, websites, videos). Try to use examples from each of the outside readings to illustrate some of the points covered in class. In other words, prove to me that you read and thought about those outside resources. Illustrations from your personal life are not relevant in this part of the exam.

Six questions worth 8 points each will be drawn from the following list. Plan to write about one double-spaced page for each question. Some will require more writing than others.

HONESTY

  1. What is it? What is its opposite?
  2. How is dishonesty communicated? (specific cues)
  3. What are the results of honesty/dishonesty in personal and professional relationships?
  4. How can honesty be cultivated?

COMPASSION

  1. What is it? What is its opposite?
  2. How is it communicated? (specific cues)
  3. What are the results?
  4. How can it be cultivated?

COURAGE

  1. What is it? Include examples of different types of courage.
  2. How is it communicated?
  3. What are the results?
  4. How can it be cultivated? (include specific steps)

PATIENCE

  1. What is it, and when do we need it most?
  2. How do wecommunicate it?
  3. What are the results of patience?
  4. How do we cultivate it?

A final question will be worth 4 points: What character traits do you attribute to our guest Cyndee Hopkins? You are not limited to the traits we have studied.

MALA 60970: Character, Communication, and Leadership

Preparation for Final Exam

Ten questionswill be worth 10 points each. Plan to write about one double-spaced page for each question. In the first three, include more than recall of course material and relate the material to your own life experience.

1.Define and discuss Aristotle’s theoretical views about the art of persuasion. Illustrate each of Aristotle’s three points with an example of persuasion in everyday encounters, or a recent experience you have had.

2.Summarize Borg’s views on the relationship among empathy, sincerity, and persuasion. Illustrate this model of persuasion by describing a recent life experience.

3.Tell me what you know about nonverbal communication (which Borg calls body language), including categories and specific cues. No life illustrations needed here.

Questions 4-9 will be drawn from the following list. Make conceptual connections between the content we covered in class (Power Points, videos, discussions) and outside resources you read on your own (textbook, articles, websites, videos). Try to use examples from each of the outside readings to illustrate some of the points covered in class. In other words, prove to me that you read and thought about those outside resources. Illustrations from your personal life are not relevant in this part of the exam.

FORGIVENESS

  • What is it? What is its opposite?
  • How is it communicated?
  • What are the results of forgiveness, and the results of its opposite?
  • How can we cultivate a willingness to forgive?

CONNECTEDNESS

  • What is it? What is its opposite?
  • How do we communicate it?
  • What are the results of connectedness?
  • How do we cultivate it?

WHOLE HEALTH

  • How does commitment to a higher purpose relate to whole health?
  • Describe the goal, contributing factors, and threats related to physical fitness/health.
  • Describe the goal, contributing factors, and threats related to mental fitness/health.
  • Describe the goal, contributing factors, and threats related to moral fitness/health

Question 10: What character traits do you attribute to our guest speaker? You may choose either Spencer Ellison or Luke Jensen. You are not limited to the traits we have studied.