SOC 355 Ethics and Leadership

One of the most universal cravings of the human spirit is for leadership that is grounded in character, one that reaches beyond success to significance. Many say that our times are defined by a leadership crisis, a void of courageous voices that inspire through the integrity of their lives. Contemporary leadership theorists have sought to define this inner quality that is the bedrock of values-based leadership, refusing to describe it as an amoral activity. Our purpose is to create a bridge between the ability to lead others and moral character. Using an interdisciplinary approach to understand leadership, we will explore the lives, values, and philosophies of eight leaders, examining both successes and failures. This course seeks to hone students? analytical capabilities, to foster their understanding of key concepts of the leadership literature, to help them develop a set of systematic ideas regarding moral leadership, and to stimulate their capacity for self-awareness as potential leaders and as informed and responsible followers.