Syllabus Approved by UCC: 4/9/12

Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Psychology Department

Interpersonal and Leadership Skills

I.Introductory Information

A. Department Name: Psychology

B. Department Catalog Number: PSYC235

C. Course Title: Interpersonal and Leadership Skills

D. Semester Hours of Credit: 3

E. Clock Hours Per Week: 3

F. Overlays: Writing Emphasis (WE); External Experience (EE)

G. Restrictions Upon Student Registration: Prerequisites: 3 s.h. of psychology

II.Description of the Course

A.Catalog description:

An introduction to the fundamental interpersonal and leadership skills of empathy, persuasive assertion, self-presentation, and mediation. Students study leadership theory and research in such areas as decision-making, ethics, team building, conflict management, and personal influence. They completeservice projects that develop their skills in each of these areas. Students receive feedback on their interpersonal and leadership skills.

III. Exposition

A. Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to do the following:

  1. Demonstrate comprehension of basic theories and research findings in leadership studies (trait theory, type theory, situational theory, impression management, etc.) andthe ability to apply these findings to leadership case studies;
  2. Demonstrate increased competency in such areas as active listening, oral persuasion, mediation, relationship development, and self-presentation;
  3. Give evidence of increased skill in writing;
  4. Demonstrateknowledge of their traits, styles, roles, and motivations for leadership;
  5. Demonstrateknowledge of ethical dimensions of leadership and the ability to create a set of ethical principles.

B. Activities and Requirements

  1. Attend and participate in course sessions.
  2. Read assigned materials.
  3. Perform laboratories in various skill areas such as assertive persuasion, empathy, persuasiveness, self-presentation, relationship development, conflict management, and effective writing.
  4. Examine current events in leadership and apply leadership concepts and theories they have learned to those events.
  5. Complete quizzes and exams on the course content.
  6. Conduct service learning projects using project management skills to earn two EE units.
  7. Present essays on their work to emphasize growth in skill areas.

C. The major units and time allotted are as follows:

TopicsContact Hours

Introduction to effective writing 3

Introduction to leadership theories and research6

Leader values and personal missions6

Project management in service learning 6

Active listening skills in leadership 3

Persuasionskills in leadership6

Ethics in leadership6

Conflict management, negotiation,and mediation skills9

Total contact hours45

D. Materials and Bibliography

  1. Suggested textbooks:

Bean, J. (2009). Lessons in Leadership (2nd ed.). Deer Park, NY: Linus Publications.

De Janasz, S. (2009). Interpersonal skills in organizations (3d ed.). Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill/Irwin Publishers.

Dubrin, A. (2009). Leadership findings, practice and skills (6th ed.). Florence, KY: South-Western College Publishers.

Hughes, R., Ginnet, R., & Curphy, G. (2011). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of experience (7th ed.). Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill/Irwin Publishers.

Northouse, P. G. (2011). Leadership: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Yukl, G. (2009). Leadership in organizations (7th ed.).Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Publishers.

  1. Bibliographic support:

Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2008). The Basshandbook of leadership: Theory, research and managerial applications. New York, NY: Free Press.

Bennis, W. (1989). On becoming a leader.Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. New York, NY: Harper and Row.

Chaleff, I. (1995). The courageous follower: Standing up to and for our leaders. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler.

Covey, S. R. (1991). Principle-centered leadership. New York, NY: Summit Books.

Goethals, G., Sorenson, G., & Burns, J. M. (2004). Encyclopedia of leadership

(Volumes 1-4). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Goleman, D. (2007). Social intelligence: The new science of human relationships. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

Greenleaf, R. K. (1996). On become a servant leader. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Kelley, R. (1992). The power of followership. New York, NY: Bantam, Doubleday, & Dell.

Locke, E. (1991). The essence of leadership: The four keys to leading successfully. New York, NY: Lexington Books, Inc.

Rost, J. C. (1993). Leadership for the twenty-first century.Westport, CN: Praeger.

Senge, P. M. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York, NY: Doubleday Currency.

IV. Standards

Grades will be assigned in accordance with university policy based on the instructor’s evaluation of performance on laboratories, examinations, quizzes, presentations, and service learning projects.

V.Rationale and Impact

A.This course is a revision of an outdated syllabus to include program and university objectives.

B.This course will meet the needs of many students who now take the interpersonal and leadership skills course as part of their major or corollary requirements, or students pursuing a Leadership Minor

C. No other departments will be affected.

VI.Cost and Staff Analysis:

A. No additional staff or resources are required for this course.

B. This course is offered every semester.

VII. Relationship among Course, Program, and University Student Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes (Objectives)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: / Program Student Learning Outcomes / University-level Student Learning Outcomes
demonstrate comprehension of basic theories and research findings in leadership studies (trait theory, type theory, situational theory, impression management, etc.) and the ability to apply these findings to leadership case studies / Knowledge Base of Psychology; Application of Psychology / NA
demonstrate increased competency in such areas as active listening, oral persuasion, mediation, relationship development, and self-presentation / Knowledge Base of Psychology; Application of Psychology; Personal Development / Interpersonal
give evidence of increased skill in writing / Communication Skills / Communication
demonstrate knowledge of their traits, styles, roles, and motivations for leadership / Application of Psychology; Personal Development / Interpersonal
demonstrate knowledge of ethical dimensions of leadership and the ability to create a set of ethical principles / Application of Psychology; Values in Psychology; Personal Development / Ethics; Interpersonal

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