PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY 

PHILADELPHIA, PA

MB26 – Leadership in the 21^st Century

Instructor - Harvey B. Lermack

HLermack@aol.com

Instructor's Web Site:  Faculty.philau.edu/lermackh

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Course Objective:

You will examine a variety of evolving topics that will affect the practice of management during the next decade and throughout the 21^st century.  You will learn about the global environment within which all businesses now operate; about the forces driving the rapid pace of change that is occurring around the practice of managerial work; and about the new skills and attitudes that will be required in order to successfully compete and lead into the next century.  

Early in the course, we will discuss at length your expectations and my  objectives for the course.  We will write them down, and review our progress to them periodically during the course.

Text Materials and Required Readings: 

We will use a variety of contemporary resource materials.  The minimum requirements are listed below and on the attached sheet.  Due to the volume of reading, you must be sure to keep up with the assignment schedule.

·           Whitman, Marina v.N.  (1999).  New World, New Rules.  Boston, MA:  Harvard Business School Press.

·           Kouzes, James M. and Barry Z. Posner, The Leadership Challenge.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass Publishers.

·          Packet of readings from Harvard Business School.

·          Additional contemporary readings may be provided and assigned.

Course Requirements: 

·          Attendance and Participation - The success of this class depends on your active participation. Come to each class prepared to discuss the assignments, and to actively contribute.  Plan to attend every class, and to stay for the entire class.  Missing more than one or two classes, or excessive lateness, will adversely affect your grade.

·          Wall Street Journal - You must read the Wall Street Journal daily during the course.  Look for contemporary articles related to issues covered in the course, and bring them to discuss in class.

·          Assignments - Thoroughly prepare all assignments on the attached schedule.  You are responsible for all materials assigned, whether or not they are discussed in class.    

·          Exams - The course will include a midterm exam and final exam.  Both will be essay style questions on all materials covered to date.  Final exams will be conducted only during finals week.  Exceptions to exam schedules will be made only for personal emergency, and must be planned well in advance with the instructor.

·          In-class Debates - You will participate in a series of in-class debates.  At the beginning of the semester, you may select a topic and position from the list, subject to availability.

Tentative Grading:                                               

·          Assignments, preparation and participation (includes debates)        33%

·          Midterm and final exams                                                                              66%

Academic Honesty: 

You will be expected to complete your work on your own, according to the most stringent standards of academic honesty.  Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated.  The first offense will result in a zero for the assignment, with no opportunity to redo or make up the work.  The second offense will result in failure of the course.

To contact the instructor:

I am available to meet with you before or after class, or at mutually convenient times, as required.

You may make an appointment to visit my office, or contact me at my e-mail address, HLermack@aol.com or LermackH@philau.edu .

Learning Center: 

The Learning Center offers assistance and peer tutoring for your individual needs, including writing and presentations.  As graduate students, I expect your work to be professionally prepared and presented.  Seek help at the Learning Center if you need it to prepare your assignments.

  IN-CLASS DEBATES

Assignment:  You will select a debate topic from the list distributed at the beginning of the semester.  Each topic and position will be available to only one student, so make your selection early!

Once you receive your topic and position (e.g. pro or con on the topic) you will need to research the topic and develop an argument to support your position.  In class, each student will have 5 minutes to present their argument.  Once both students have presented their argument, each will have 2 minutes as time for rebuttal.  Your time is very limited, so use it wisely!

Criteria for Grading:  You will be graded on your preparation and knowledge of the topic, and the quality of your presentation.