Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Credits: 5
Schedule: 31.05.2021 - 31.07.2021
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Peter Kenttä
Contact information for the course (valid 10.05.2021-21.12.2112):
Dr. Peter Kenttä
peter.kentta@aalto.fi
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Applies in this implementation:
Imagine a group of students like yourself interested in self-development and personal growth wanting to form a discussion forum in order to develop themselves and refine their personal leadership in a fruitful and thought-provoking environment. If this image feels compelling to you, then this is the course for you!
In this course we take a deep-dive into personal leadership by learning from each other and through important themes that are prevalent in everyday life albeit difficult to pin down with the tools of academic discourse. The personal - felt and experienced - dimensions in for example risks, successes, setbacks, organizing, and personal relationships are made tangible during the evolution of this course. Good leadership does not only require general knowledge about leadership but some measure of wisdom, empathy and appreciation. This is the stuff of nurtured personal relationships, which are vital to successful leadership. This ‘difficult to describe’ character of personal leadership is the heartland of this course.
The core reading in this course consists of Steve Jobs biography (Isaacson 2011), which we will use to learn from and from where we shall tangent-off into relevant directions. Additional material (e.g. book chapters, Youtube-video clips) that support the learning objectives of the course are focused on building an appreciation for personal relationships. In this course we first and foremost ask ‘what can we learn from this’ instead of ‘what is best or true about leadership.’
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Applies in this implementation:
This is a Pass/Fail course based on three essays and online lecture/discussion participation. A Pass from this course requires that all three essays are passed, to lead a discussion session, and active participation during 80% of all online discussions (participation in 13/16 discussions). There are two online lectures/discussions each week for the duration of the course. Each student will at least once present a part of the course book and reflect and open up key learning points and the significance of the readings for them.
Being an advanced course, much responsibility is given to the students who participate in the course. Students like yourself will lead most of the discussion sessions. As said, the point is to learn from each other and from the process of ‘reflecting together’ about significant themes. This requires commitment and a ‘can do’ attitude from all participants, to make each session a fruitful one.
Workload
Applies in this implementation:
The estimated workload of the course elements is following:
- Readings (15 pages hour, 560 pages) 40 h
- Additional material 10 h
- Lecture discussions 8x2x1,5 = 24 h
- Discussion reflections 10 h
- Book chapter presentation 5 h
- Relationship essay discussions 10 h
- Relationships essay 15 h
- Introductory essay 6h
- Reflection essay 15 h => 135 h
DETAILS
Study Material
Applies in this implementation:
Steve Jobs biography (Isaacson 2011) and additional material. All students are required to obtain the course book before the first discussion session, at the latest.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
This course has two online zoom-meetings each week, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Course begins on Monday the 31st of May at 10am and the last session is on 28th of July at 10am. There are in all one Introductory lecture and 16 discussion sessions during this course.
- Teacher: Kenttä Peter