Main Content
Syllabus
OLEAD/LHR 464 – Communication Skills for Leaders in Groups and Organizations: Theory-and research-based communication skills for leaders dealing with work-related problems in contemporary groups and organizations.
Overview
Communication Skills for Leaders in Groups and Organizations is a survey of theory, research, and practice related to processes by which individuals in groups and organizations exercise influence, independently of whether or not they occupy positions of acknowledged leadership. During the course, you will become acquainted with a variety of influences on communication in the process. This will be accomplished by examining theory and research dealing with the function of those influences.
Course Objectives
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the leadership communication process; from vision to implementation
- Develop leadership communication skills
- Use communication to lead
- Examine modern challenges of leadership communication
- Present an organizational vision/mission/values statement
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Software
One of the benefits of being a registered Penn State student is that you are eligible to receive educational discounts on many software titles. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing software through our affiliate vendor, please visit the Buying Software section of the Course Materials page.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements
Performance in OLEAD/LHR 464 will be evaluated on two type of assignments: (1) class discussions; (2) vision/mission/values projects. The assignments are designed to enhance real-world skills in written and oral communications. Your responsibility, then, is to read the assignments carefully, post your work on time, and stay prepared throughout the semester. Below you will find information about each of the following course requirements.
Class Discussions
The objective of the discussions is to demonstrate your expertise with the course theories and concepts as well as your ability to critically think about those ideas in professional conversations with your classmates and instructor. The discussions in this course are not formal APA papers, but you are still expected to quote, cite and reference appropriately. In addition to answering the assignment prompts for each discussion, there are some standard things you will need to do and will be graded on:
- Content Quality/Logic: Your ideas need to be logical and related to discussion prompt and course content. Make sure to use course theories and concepts in your posts. Also make sure to use strong grammar and spelling, as well as paragraphs that are well constructed and fit together logically.
- Content Quantity: You must make at least 3 substantial posts.
- Support for Ideas: Your ideas need to be supported with course materials and at least one other quality resource (i.e. one from the library) and they need to be cited and referenced in full APA format.
- Timeliness of Posts: Your first post must be made by the fifth day of the lesson, the second one before the final deadline.
| Criteria | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Quality/Logic (50 pts.) | Ideas are logical and related to discussion prompt and course content (50 pts.) | Ideas are logical and are related to course content (40 pts.) | Ideas are logical and mostly related to course content (30 pts.) | Ideas are only partially logical or partially related to prompt or course content (20 pts.) | No posts or unrelated to course in any way (0 pts.) |
| Content Quantity (25 pts.) | Made at least 3 substantial posts (25 pts.) | Made 3 posts, at least 2 of which are substantial (20 pts.) | Made at least 2 posts, neither is substantial (10.5 pts.) | Made only 1 post (9 pts.) | No posts (0 pts.) |
| Support Ideas (15 pts.) | Supported ideas with course materials and at least one other quality resource (i.e. one from the library) in full APA format (15 pts.) | Supported ideas with course materials in full APA format (8 pts.) | Supported ideas with course materials, but APA format is lacking (7 pts.) | Ideas are only partially supported (6 pts.) |
No posts or ideas are not supported (0 pts.)
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| Timeliness of Posts (10 pts.) | First post made by 3 PM EST Saturday and second post made by 11:59 AM EST Monday (10 pts.) | First post made after 3 PM EST Saturday and second post made by 11:59 AM EST Monday. (8 pts.) | Both posts made by 11:59 AM
EST Monday. (7 pts.) | Only one post or both came after the deadline. (6 pts.) | No posts. (0 pts.) |
Value/Vision/Mission Projects (Paper and Presentation
- This project consists of two parts; a written paper and a video presentation. Each will be equally weighted as they represent both the process (the background research and documentation via the paper) and the end result (presentation) of creating a value/vision/mission statement for an organization.
- The objective of the value/vision/mission projects is to apply what you have learned in the course and demonstrate your expertise with the course concepts. In particular, you need to show your ability to critically think about those ideas and use them to craft your vision/value/mission for your organization.
- Please check assignment instructions for more details.
Specifically you will be graded on:
- Content Quality: You will need to explain your ideas in full. This means defining key ideas such as the lesson theory or concept and its specific pieces in addition to the general premise of the theory. Those ideas will then be applied to create the projects.
- Content Logic and Persuasiveness: Your projects will need a strong thesis, transitions, strong grammar and spelling, a conclusion, paragraphs that are well constructed and fit together logically. Your projects need to motivate others to achieve your vision and mission.
- Professionalism: Your project needs to look professional.
- Citations and References: Your ideas must be supported with course materials and at least one other quality resource (i.e. one from the library) and they must be in full APA citation and reference format.
| Criteria | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content Quality (100 pts.) | Ideas are well explained and detailed (100 pts.) | Ideas are mostly well explained and detailed (80 pts.) | Ideas are somewhat well explained and detailed (60 pts.) | Ideas are marginally explained and detailed (40 pts.) | Ideas are not well explained and detailed (0 pts.) |
| Content Logic and Persuasiveness (50 pts.) | Ideas are logically explained and ordered in a way to enhance follower understanding AND Ideas would convince and motivate reasonable people to follow the leader’s ideas (50 pts.) | Ideas are mostly logically explained and ordered in a way to enhance follower understanding AND Ideas would convince and motivate most reasonable people to follow the leader’s ideas(40pts.) | Ideas are somewhat logically explained and ordered in a way to enhance follower understanding AND Ideas would convince and motivate some reasonable people to follow the leader’s ideas (30 pts.) | Ideas are have inadequate explanation and order that will not enhance follower understanding AND Ideas would convince and/or motivate a few people to follow the leader’s ideas (20 pts.) | Ideas are not logically explained and ordered AND Ideas would convince or motivate few or no people to follow the leader’s ideas (0 pts.) |
| Support Ideas/Citations/References (50 pts.) | Ideas are backed by factual and/or theoretical support (50 pts.) | Ideas are mostly backed by factual and/or theoretical support (40 pts.) | Ideas are somewhat backed by factual and/or theoretical support (30 pts.) | Ideas are inadequately backed by factual and/or theoretical support (20) |
Ideas are not backed by factual and/or theoretical support OR there is no support at all (0 pts.) |
| Professionalism (50 pts.) | Ideas are presented in a highly professional manner (50 pts.) | Ideas are mostly presented in a professional manner (40 pts.) | Ideas are somewhat presented in a professional manner (30 pts.) | Ideas are inadequately presented in a professional manner (20 pts.) | Ideas are not presented in a professional manner or are not presented at all (0 pts.) |
Outline
- Prior to the final projects, you will need to craft an outline organizing your ideas. The purpose is to start forming the logical structure of your vision/value/mission for your organization. This will also allow you to receive feedback on your ideas similar to you would in your organization. The outline needs to be in numbered or bulleted format so that the bare essentials of your logic can be seen and can be easily reordered if necessary. You will also need a thesis and at least three high quality sources. If you haven’t created an outline in a while and need advice, please contact your instructor.
| Criteria | A | B | C | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis (25 pts.) | Thesis organizes the ideas of the project well (25 pts.) | Thesis mostly organizes the ideas of the project well (20 pts.) | Thesis somewhat organizes the ideas of the project well (15 pts.) | Thesis inadequately organizes the ideas of the project well (10 pts.) | Thesis does not organize the ideas of the project well OR is missing (0 pts.) |
| Logical Order (25 pts.) | Ideas are presented in a logical order that enhances follower understanding (25 pts.) | Ideas are mostly presented in a logical order that enhances follower understanding (20 pts.) | Ideas are somewhat presented in a logical order that enhances follower understanding (15 pts.) | Ideas are inadequatlely presented in a logical order that enhances follower understanding (10 pts.) | Ideas are not presented in a logical order that enhances follower understanding OR are not presented in numbered/bulleted format (0 pts.) |
| Support Ideas/Citations/References (25 pts.) | At least three high quality sources are listed in APA format (25 pts.) | Three quality sources are listed in mostly APA format (20 pts.) | Fewer than three quality sources are listed and APA format is attempted but lacking (15 pts.) | Sources are not of good quality and are lacking in APA formatting (10 pts.) |
Sources are missing (0 pts.) |
| Details (25 pts.) | Information is provided in enough detail that anyone can comment on the logical structure and content of the document (25 pts.) | Information is mostly provided in enough detail that most people can comment on the logical structure and content of the document (20 pts.) | Information is somewhat provided in enough detail that some people can comment on the logical structure and content of the document (15 pts.) | Information provided is inadequately presented in enough detail and few people can comment on the logical structure and content of the document (10 pts.) | Information is not provided in enough detail and very few people, if any, can comment on the logical structure and content of the document (0 pts.) |
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
The schedule below outlines the topics we will be covering in this course, along with the associated time frames and assignments.
- Course Length: 16 weeks
Note: All assignments are due by 11:59 AM (ET) the Monday after each Lesson's timeframe, unless otherwise noted.
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Grading
| Activity | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
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Discussions (13 -- see below) Vision/Mission/Values discussions (12 @ 100 points) Putting it all together (1 @ 200 points) | 1400 | 70% |
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Vision/Mission/Values Projects (3 -- see below) Outline (1 @ 100 points) Final Paper (1 @ 250 points) Final Presentation (1 @ 250 points | 600 | 30% |
| Total Course Points | 100% | |
Course Requirements
Each lesson will require reading at least one article or chapter, sometimes more. From lesson to lesson you will have three basic types of assignments; discussion, presentations, and a final paper.
Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | % Range |
|---|---|
| A | 93.0% to100% |
| A− | <93.0% to 90.0% |
| B+ | <90.0% to 87.0% |
| B | <87.0% to 83.0% |
| B− | <83.0% to 80.0% |
| C+ | <80.0% to 77.0% |
| C | <77.0% to 70.0% |
| D | <70.0% to 60.0% |
| F | <60.0% to 0.0% |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Course Policies
Late Policy
You are expected to submit all assignments before the deadline specified in the Course Schedule. This varies from course to course and may vary from assignment to assignment (In other words, not all deadlines are on Sunday evening). Please check due dates carefully and adhere to them. All deadlines are U.S. Eastern Time. If you miss a submission deadline, you will be penalized according to the rubric for that assignment. If there is no rubric please check with your instructor as to their individual late policy.
Document Submission
Students using MS Word 2007, including trial versions, must save and submit their documents in ".doc" format for this course. (At the bottom of the "Save As" dialogue box, choose ".doc" from the "Save as type" pull down menu.)
University Policies
- Privacy Notice: Please note that course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. The course instructor and any teaching assistant(s), of course, have access to the course throughout the semester. Each course offered via the World Campus has several instructional design staff members assigned to assist in managing course content and delivery. These instructional design staff members have access to the course throughout the semester for this purpose. Also, World Campus technical staff may be given access in order to resolve technical support issues. In addition, mentor, department head, or program chair may be provided with course access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. Each of these individuals will keep confidential all student course and academic information.
- Accommodating Disabilities:
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
- Additional Policies:
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
- Counseling and Psychological Services:
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
- Deferred Grades: If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page. - Reporting Bias:
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.