Course Description

An exploration of the leader’s decision-making practice, including the relation to problem-analysis, decision-making techniques, and ethical considerations. Emphasis is given to a critical examination of individual, organizational, and macro-level issues in ethics, and exploring the role of values and ethics in the leader’s formulation of strategies for motivating, communicating, utilizing power, and developing followers.

The syllabus includes key information about the course schedule, assignments, and policies. Please read the full course syllabus located at the bottom of the page.

Course Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing the course, you will be able to:

  1. Knowledge and its application
    1. Become familiar with the types of decisions commonly made within organizational contexts;
    2. Examine the individual and relational processes involved in making decisions, particularly the interplay of inquiry and advocacy within the context of deliberative dialogue;
  2. Cognitive complexity
    1. Recognize patterns of faulty decision making and understand how to avoid them;
    2. Compare and contrast competing systems of ethical analysis and evaluate them in a manner consistent with a Christian worldview (ethical evaluation);
  3. Social responsibility and global engagement
    1. Adopt wise decision-making practices that respond sustainably to the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity of contemporary social and global conditions and situations;
  4. Leadership
    1. Develop a personal approach to ethical decision‐making within the context of a values‐based organization (values compass);
    2. Develop an awareness of personal leadership style, particularly with respect to the values employed in exercising leadership (value realization).

Required Texts and Materials

Activities include participation in discussions, assignments, and various ungraded learning activities designed to prepare students for assessments.  See course outline below for details on activities and assignments.

Determination Of Final Grade

Assessment Grade Learning Outcome
Discussions 20% 1-7
Assignment 1: Article Analysis 10% 2,3,4,5
Assignment 2: Video Presentation 20% 4-5
Assignment 3: Group Project 25% 4-5
Assignment 4: Final Paper 25% 4-5

See the Course Syllabus and the Assessments section in Moodle for specific assignment details, including grading rubrics.


Course Topics

  1. Introduction to Decision Making Influences and Models
  2. Understanding Faulty Decision Making
  3. Developing Effective Dialogue in Decision Making
  4. Developing a Decision as a Process: Advocacy to Inquiry
  5. The Role of Hidden Psychological Traps in Decision Making
  6. Making Decisions Using Critical Thinking
  7. The Role of Personal Ethics
  8. The Theory of Duty and Rights
  9. Discovering the Ethical Theory of Consequentialism
  10. Cultural Relativism
  11. Ethics and Decision Making in a Corporate Culture

Course Resources

The following are key resources used in this course.

  • Bauer, T., & Erdogan, B. (2009). Organizational behavior (1st ed.). New York: Flat World Knowledge.
  • Daniel, K., Lovallo, D., & Sibony, O. (2013). HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Making Smart Decisions. Harvard Business Review.

Note that not all sections of this course use all of the above resources. Please confirm which of the following texts are required by checking your course syllabus.


Course Navigation

Course Units

This course is organized into 11 units. Each unit of the course will provide you with the following information:

  • A general overview of the key concepts that will be addressed during the unit.
  • Specific learning outcomes and topics for the unit.
  • Learning activities to help you engage with the concepts. These often include key readings, videos, and reflective prompts.
  • The Assessment section provides details on assignments you will need to complete throughout the course to demonstrate your understanding of the course learning outcomes.

Note that assessments, including assignments and discussion posts will be submitted in Moodle. See the Assessment tab in Moodle for the assignment dropboxes.

Course Activities

Below is some key information on features you will see throughout the course. 

Learning Activity
This box will prompt you to engage in course concepts, often by viewing resources and reflecting on your experience and/or learning. Most learning activities are ungraded and are designed to help prepare you for the assessment in this course.

Assessment
This box will signify an assignment or discussion post you will submit in Moodle. Note that these demonstrate your understanding of the course learning outcomes. Be sure to review the grading rubrics for each assignment.

Checking Your Learning
This box is for checking your understanding, to make sure you are ready for what follows.

Media
This box is for displaying/linking to media, such as videos or songs, in order to help illustrate or communicate concepts.

Note
This box signifies key notes, such as where to submit assignments. It may also warn you of possible problems or pitfalls you may encounter!

How To Navigate This Book

To move quickly to different portions of the book, click on the appropriate chapter or section in the table of contents on the left. The buttons at the top of the page allow you to show/hide the table of contents, search the book, change font settings, download a pdf or ebook copy of this book, or get hints on various sections of the book.
Top menu bar

Figure 0.1: Top menu bar

The faint left and right arrows at the sides of each page (or bottom of the page if it’s narrow enough) allow you to step to the next/previous section. Here’s what they look like:
Left and right navigation arrowsLeft and right navigation arrows

Figure 0.2: Left and right navigation arrows


Writing Standards

For this course, you are expected to follow the writing standards according to APA 7. Please consult the OWL Purdue website for guidance and seek assistance from the TWU Writing Center and writing coaches as needed. Assignments have rubrics that attribute some marks to APA formatting and cannot be graded as fully meeting expectations if there are APA errors. That said, your conceptual understanding remains of primary importance. It is your responsibility to ensure polished work to the highest standard of which you are capable. This demands meticulous attention to detail, which will become more ‘natural’ with practice. Please seek any necessary clarification from your instructor.

It will be assumed that you have read, understand, and agree to the information provided at the Academic Dishonesty Policy website. If you have any questions at all please contact your instructor.