ACADEMICS - Classic Classroom Course Descriptions
MAL students choose from among the following courses. There are 11 courses to complete the program: 4 Core classes and 7 electives.
ML 510
Visions of Leadership: A Historical and Literary Journey
Introduction to selected concepts of leadership, providing a historical and philosophical framework for the program. This course views the nature and purpose of leadership from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. Required for all completion plans.
ML 511
Creativity and the Problem-Solving Process
Exploration of creativity from the perspective of traditional aesthetics as well as contemporary organizational thinking. This course uses creativity as a method, and it examines techniques for solving problems in organizations, for enhancing innovation, and for seeking an integrative worldview.
ML 513
Creating a Compelling Literature Review
As leadership scholars and practitioners, our work should be evidence-based. The purpose of this course is to explore the published literature to determine what credible evidence tells us about effective leadership practices. Students will learn how to read research critically, analyze and develop arguments, and recommend best practices.
ML 514
Research Methods
Evaluation and documentation of programs, projects and ideas as they relate to leadership theories and practice. Qualitative and quantitative tools will be discussed. Required for all completion plans.
ML 520
Self–Identity, Values and Personal Growth
Study of the concepts of self-identity, value formation, and personal growth as they relate to professional life; factors that influence the development of self-identity and personal values; and the effect of personal values on learning and leadership strategies.
ML 525
Personality and Systems Theories: Perspectives on Leadership
Study of leadership in the dual context of personality theory and systems theory. Contributions of Jung, Fromm, Maslow, May, and others to personality theory are considered, as are the systems theories of von Bertalanffy and Bateson. The theories are applied to the concrete realities of leadership in a variety of settings.
ML 527
Spirituality and Leadership in the Workplace
The wide-ranging spirituality movement in the workplace is a notable feature of contemporary life. This course explores the dimensions of this trend and its implications for leadership through a variety of sources and perspectives.
ML 530
Ethics in Communication
Interdisciplinary study of ethics and communication through the investigation of a variety of ethical perspectives within human communication. This course places particular attention on the use and abuse of communication in politics, advertising, and interpersonal relationships. It emphasizes sensitivity to ethical conflicts that arise in social and organizational settings.
ML 531
The Dynamics of Change
This course offers an exploration of the context of social change and varying responses to diverse human needs. Ways of achieving well-being may be viewed differently by leaders in public and private domains and across cultures. The course explores these various perspectives, including areas of conflict and opportunities for leadership in social and organizational change. Sociological, human development, and economic theories are applied to contemporary public and private sector issues for social change.
ML 535
Organizational Theory and Leadership
In-depth exploration of organization theory plus related concepts, issues, and concerns. The course is designed to enable the student to acquire knowledge and develop skills in order to function as a responsible, ethical participant within various types of organizational structures and cultures.
ML 538
Communication Skills for Leadership
The course is designed to provide background in rhetoric as well as practice in speaking, writing, and presentation skills. A substantial performance component is included; evaluation of student work is based on mastery and performance of these skills. Students will perform communicative tasks in a variety of genres and evaluate their own performances and those of class members.
ML 539
Communicating a Self in the Modern Organization
Understanding through reading, reflecting, and dialogue of the functions of communication in organizational settings with particular emphasis on the self-defining aspects of the social contract between the individual and the organization in a changing world. Supplementary reading packet, open dialogue, and individual projects.
ML 540
Political Leadership: Theory and Practice
Analysis of leadership perspectives in selected political systems and other organizations. Special focus on significant leadership theories and leaders, past and present. Most theories studied are interdisciplinary and relevant to business and nonprofit organizations as well as to politics.
ML 545
Decision Making and Leadership
Review of the decision-making process—the setting, goals, and contingencies—as it affects leaders and leadership. Analysis of arguments and explanations; analysis of basic statistical concepts and their relationship to decision making. Assessment of major social decisions, past and present—their intentions, consequences, arguments, explanations, and justification.
ML 548
Coaching and Consulting
The purpose of this course is to develop influence skills through the exploration and application of consulting and coaching practices. To fulfill that purpose participants will read the work of master consultants and coaches, develop a toolkit, practice consulting as both a consultant and a client, and reflect on these experiences to develop their own purpose, principles, and practices for influencing others.
ML 550
Communication, Decision Making, and Technology
Analysis of the role various forms of digitally-mediated communication play in our society and how communication, decision making, and leadership have been altered by these technologies. Students examine how they can engage and manage these processes in their organizations.
ML 553
Design and Leadership
“Design thinking” has transcended the world of engineering and architecture and is now a mainstream concern for most industries. This course explores the impact of “design thinking” on leadership, especially in the business world.
ML 557
Language of Leadership
Students analyze language from a variety of rhetorical and sociolinguistic perspectives and learn to make judgments about rhetorical and stylistic strategies. Topics include the use of language as an organizing principle for social interaction; speech act theory; strategies for giving effective directives; the creation and manipulation of style; the development of persuasive appeals; the protection of “face;” and strategies for maintaining personal relationships across hierarchical levels in organizations.
ML 558
Leadership and Science
Explores the common methods of science and the issues that science has encountered which affect the uses of science by leaders in the public and private sectors. Case studies include global warming and politics, psychology, and medicine.
ML 560
Developing a Multicultural Perspective
This course focuses on the ability to function and lead in culturally diverse contexts within the U.S. Goals include improved communication skills and interpersonal sensitivity, appreciation for the complexity of the racial and ethnic groupings, and awareness of key issues facing those groups.
ML 562
Global Multiculturalism, World Religions, and Leadership
In the global meeting of cultures, religion is a vital factor. This course examines the nature of religion as an essential feature of the cultures of the U.S. (Christianity), the Middle East (Islam), India (Hinduism), China (Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism), and Japan (Shinto, Buddhism). Special emphasis is put on leadership and religion in all these cultures.
ML 565
Women and Leadership
A seminar exploring the theory and practice of women and leadership: entrepreneurial, political, and social. An interdisciplinary approach to issues of women and leadership. Topics include analysis of alternative approaches to leadership, women and careers, and women in society past and present. The course is intended to enhance the analytical and leadership skills of the participants.
ML 568
The Global Business Environment
Knowledge of the global business environment in the context of leadership studies is essential for modern, successful leaders and other professionals. The course complements other offerings in the international cultural understanding of leadership.
MAL 570
Negotiation
An exploration of theories, strategies, and techniques of negotiation; overview of concepts and skills involved in negotiation as well as the context in which negotiation occurs. A special emphasis on the collective bargaining model with survey of examples of other types of negotiation.
ML 574
Strategic Leadership
The course develops students’ ability to think strategically and lead organizations through planning and implementation. Application of models and concepts to examples and cases from real-life practice. Case studies, exercises, and readings cover practices in for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
ML 577
Universal Responsibility and Leadership
The exploration of universal responsibility, conceptually and experientially. Course consists of a seminar in Minneapolis and one or two weeks in Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan portion includes meetings with leaders, a homestay in the two-week option, and visits to multiple sites and organizations. Topics such as Nicaraguan history, politics, indigenous cultures, poverty, health care, literacy, the arts, business foreign investment, and relations with the U.S. government and nonprofit organizations are explored. Special fees apply.
ML 580
Colloquium on Contemporary Theories of Leadership
Selected contemporary theories of leadership plus a case study on a prominent leader. Emphasis on critical thinking, discussion, written analysis. (Prereq.: at least one-year coursework in MAL and ML 510) Required for Plans B, C, and D.
ML 588
Final Project Seminar: Action Research (Plan D)
In this course students who are pursuing the cohort program will have the opportunity to write their final project doing action research on their own organization. This course will span two half-terms (one full trimester).
ML 589
Comprehensive Exam Seminar
This course is a completion option for the Master of Arts in Leadership. Students prepare for the examination series—oral, written, and take-home—through discussion, readings, and critical analysis in the seminar. It must be the final course taken in the program; no other course may be taken at the same time.
ML 592
Thesis/LAP Consultation I
Independent research project supervised by an academic advisor.
ML 593
Thesis/LAP Consultation II
Completion of the thesis/LAP under the guidance of an academic advisor.
ML 597
Non-Thesis Independent Project
Major written project in an area of the student’s choice, to be completed in consultation with an adviser and a reader. The research is presented in a colloquium in partial fulfillment of requirements for the non-thesis option.
ML 598
Independent Study
Provides directed independent study in an area of the student’s choice. Open to students who have completed at least three courses with a grade of at least 3.0. Students must complete a Proposal for Independent Study and have it signed by the supervising professor. Proposals must be approved by the MAL program director prior to registration for the course. Students may not take more than one independent study course.
ML 599
Special Topics
Study of selected topics in leadership that are not treated extensively through current course offerings. Specific topics will be published prior to registration.
