EDS723 Character-Driven Leadership (3 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): EDS722  
This course examines what it means to be a leader of good character and what is required to become a wise leader. From a foundational understanding of leadership models, leadership approaches, and the context of leading in an educational environment, participants develop an understanding of their personal and professional responsibilities to lead with character. Additionally, candidates explore how to leverage the moral virtues to act with wisdom, courage, humility, and justice. Key concepts including vision and mission, power and influence, practical wisdom, leading with character, and climate and culture are explored.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Analyze the connections between moral virtues, character, and leadership.

2. Explore the concept of practical wisdom (phronesis) and its centrality to virtuous leadership.

3. Evaluate the foundational role of social-emotional competence in a virtues framework for effective leadership in an educational setting.

4. Determine personal strengths and areas for development utilizing social emotional competencies as well as the virtue framework as a foundation for self-awareness.

5. Evaluate a full range of leadership models and their applications in an educational setting. 

6. Evaluate the relationship between power, influence, and leadership as it relates to culture and climate.

7. Demonstrate the collaborative process with various stakeholders to create mission and vision statements.