Leadership Studies Minor
Coordinator: Professor Leupold
The Leadership Studies minor is designed to expose students to theories and practices of leadership across disciplinary boundaries, and to shape students’ definitions of leadership so that they understand it at the interchange of vision and action. As the core definition of leadership is simply the process of influencing others towards achieving a goal, students examine this social process as it occurs in various situations and settings ranging from the very formal and large-scale (e.g., military or political leaders) to the very informal and small-scale (e.g., small work groups or families). Central to the minor are examining the guiding ethical principles and value systems that accompany leadership roles in all of these settings. In addition to encouraging in students an understanding of and appreciation for leadership as a focus of academic inquiry and research, the minor affords students the opportunity to explore and develop their own personal leadership style and practical leadership skills.
Leadership Studies minors come from all disciplines, from business to performing arts and everything else in between. Accompanying Elon’s mission to prepare students for successful and satisfying careers and lives is the goal of preparing students to create positive change in their worlds. As such, this minor is a fitting complement to any major, regardless of a student’s prior experience in leadership or lack thereof.
Minor Requirements
Required course: 4 sh
| LED 210 | FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES | 4 sh |
Select one course from the following: 4 sh
Only one course may apply toward the Leadership Studies minor.
Select one course from the following: 4 sh
| MGT 412 | ADVANCED ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR | 4 sh |
| PSY 368 | THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP | 4 sh |
Only one course may apply toward the Leadership Studies minor.
Select two courses from the following: 8 sh
(Only one elective may be at the 200-level.)
| COM 300 | PERSUASION | 4 sh |
| JOU 310 | REPORTING FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD | 4 sh |
| PWR 304 | UNDERSTANDING RHETORIC | 4 sh |
| HSS 213 | WORKING WITH GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES | 4 sh |
| HSS 320 | GROUP DYNAMICS AND LEADERSHIP | 4 sh |
| HSS 411 | DESIGNING AND ASSESSING HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS | 4 sh |
| HST 365 | SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN POST-CIVIL WAR AMERICA | 4 sh |
| POL 325 | THE PRESIDENCY | 4 sh |
| POL 326 | CONGRESS | 4 sh |
| PSY 241 | SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 sh |
| SOC 331 | THE SELF AND SOCIETY | 4 sh |
| SOC 343 | SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CHANGE | 4 sh |
Other courses and/or specific sections of certain courses will also be offered from time to time, which may count towards the Leadership Studies minor (usually as an elective). To locate these courses, students should go to OnTrack and select ‘Leadership Studies’ from the Course Type menu (not the Subject menu). These particular courses are also listed each semester under Leadership Studies in the Registrar’s Schedule of Classes.
Program Outcomes
• To understand that leadership is a relational process that is inclusive, empowering, purposeful, relational, ethical, and process-oriented.
• To understand that leadership is a privilege that is not always formally ascribed, and that individuals can serve as impactful leaders even without formal title.
• To see that numerous opportunities for leadership exist in everyday life, and to embrace those opportunities to make a situation better in even a small way.
• To see that everyone has the opportunity to engage in the leadership process, whether it be in large-scale or small-scale setting.
• To appreciate the difference between but importance of both leadership as an applied skill as well as a formal academic perspective, and to understand the roles of scientific inquiry as it relates to the advancement of both.
• To understand that one’s own leadership development is an active and lifelong process, and to engage in reflection and active engagement in activities that promote it.
• To help students identify their own leadership identity in the present and future, and take steps to nourish and guide that growth.
Total Credit Hours: 20