Character & Ethics in Leadership & Education – CLED 815

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course builds on the CLED800. Building upon this study of the imago dei (Image of God), this course further studies the essential character qualities of effective biblical servant leader-teachers, and the principles of ethical influence, communication, instruction, problem-solving, and decision-making. Ethical dilemmas will be considered in case study format to aid students in applying ethics to leadership and education decisions.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Christian leaders must be persons of integrity and character. Skillful and successful leadership is an insufficient measure of leadership performance for the Christian leader. This course focuses on the character and ethical aspects of Christian leadership. The theological studies done earlier in the program are now applied in this course as students have opportunity to reflect upon and discuss character and ethics issues found in relevant leadership case situations.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each one. Each thread must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads in at least 200 words. (CLO: E)

Ethics Paper: Proposal Assignment

The student will present a proposal for the Ethics Paper that identifies the specific topic of the paper, a suggested thesis statement for the paper, and at least 10 sources for the paper. The paper must address a topic related to leadership character and ethics. This assignment must be less than 1.5 pages and follow current APA format. (CLO: A, B, D)

Ethics Paper: Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will complete an annotated bibliography with at least 20 sources (including at least 5 articles) for the Ethics Paper. The annotations must demonstrate how the resources are likely to be important to a thorough academic analysis of your topic. Each annotation must be 125–150 words and in current APA format.

Any website used must have a direct, unique, and relevant bearing on the specific paper or research and how it will be utilized. This assignment is designed to support the student’s future research.

The paper will be evaluated stringently as it will be needed to successfully write this portion. As always, the student must edit the document for grammar and sentence structure, be concise and thorough in his or her argument, and display critical analysis and interaction between writers—i.e. avoiding an “encyclopedic” listing in his or her writing. (CLO: A, B, D)

Book Critique Assignment

The student will write a 750–1,000-word book critique in current APA format on the following textbook: The means of ascent: The years of Lyndon B. Johnson II. (CLO: A, B)

Six Dimensions Assessment Assignment

The student will produce a 1,800–2,200 word personal assessment of his or her leadership character by reviewing the six dimensions of character address by Henry Cloud in the textbook, Integrity: the courage to meet the demands of reality. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Ethics Paper: Final Draft Assignment

The student will write a 3,000–4,000-word research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the biblical and theological understanding and practice of leadership ethics in a ministry context or educational context. The paper must include at least 20 references in addition to the course textbooks and accurately applied biblical support. (CLO: A, B, D)

Reflection on Course Assignment

The student will write a 1,000-word reflection essay in current APA format. The essay will answer the question, “How has this course shaped your thinking in the following areas related to character and ethics in leadership and education: 1) personal and professional integrity, 2) leadership ethics for the Christian leader/educator, and 3) influence of ethics on decision-making?” (CLO: C, D)