Role of the Teaching Assistant (TA)

Teaching Assistants are one of the most useful resources for students in this class. TA's will be engaged in any of the following activities:

1. Facilitating class activities and discussions
2. Helping in grading assignments and other course requirements
3. Providing comments on your written work
4. Assisting with questions about specific assignments
5. Assistance with individual writing assignments

The Principle Objectives of this Course

1. examination of some of the contemporary definitions of leadership, and developing a personal definition;
2. exploration of selected historical and contemporary models of leadership, and how individual styles compare to such models;
3. understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of leadership, including moral and ethical decisions and the use of authority and power;
4. examination of the context of leadership, mostly central to which is the relationship between the individual and the group;
5. application of the foundational areas of leadership to practical and real-life situations within the immediate university environment.

Class Expectations

Reading

Readings are to be completed for the class period in which they will be discussed. When reading review the material critically, keeping in mind that every author writes to make a point, to promote a position, a set of beliefs, or their own values.

Writing

Short writings, responses, major papers and other writing assignments will be assigned in this course. All writings will be evaluated based on how well you fulfill these criteria:

1. coverage of the assigned topic
2. integrating and applying concepts from course readings appropriately and effectively
3. effectiveness of writing (clear organization, technical correctness, proper citation of sources)

All writing assignments must be typed!

Discussion

This course requires the active involvement of all students. Reading and writing are the keys to interesting and effective discussion in class. All students are expected to participate in discussions regularly. Know your own style, and honor others. If you know you tend to be a talker, focus on drawing out the comments of others. If you know you are quiet, take the risk to speak your mind. Trust (and demand) that you will be supported. Participation constitutes 25% of your final grade.

Please also follow the ground rules for promoting positive and safe discussion:

1. Confidentiality- all that is said in the class stays in the classroom.
2. No put-downs
3. Active Listening
4. Mutual respect
5. Right to pass

Each and every one of us is responsible for ensuring that the ground rules are respected and maintained.

You will also be responsible for some electronic discussion throughout the semester. The course has a listserv, where you can post responses and comment on other students' ideas. There will be questions posted on the listserv that you will be expected to answer and comment on.