Course Syllabus
PSY 816: Dysfunctional Leadership
Overview
| CATEGORY | INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisites | PSY 532 and PSY 539 |
| Delivery | Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com) |
| Dates | See the Calendar. |
| Instructor | See the Orientation module under the Modules tab. |
Description
Leaders face a variety of psychological, cognitive, social, and decision-making challenges in organizational life. Even the noblest leaders may be tempted by the opportunities and trappings afforded by influential leadership positions. It is necessary, then, to teach less experienced leaders about the potentially negative components of supervisory roles. As such, this course approaches the psychological processes surrounding the darker side of leadership, with specific foci on destructive leadership, toxic supervision, leader error, and error recovery. The course will provide students with foundational information regarding psychological concepts of dark leadership with the aim of reducing the scope, frequency, and impact of negative leadership. Over the semester, students will be exposed to the causes and antecedents of negative leadership with a particular focus on multilevel influences. Students will also learn means and methods of appropriately and ethically recovering from errors. Learning objectives include providing a basic understanding of what factors cause destructive leadership and how to avoid potentially pit-falling situations. Emphasis will be placed on teaching students how to assess and identify contextual factors that may drive harmful leadership influence. By applying such understanding, students will learn to limit the effect of destructive leadership on themselves and their followers.
Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply relevant dysfunctional frameworks, concepts, and theory to your current leadership situations.
- Identify, describe, and synthesize theories of toxic leadership and discuss how they relate to the practice of leadership.
- Analyze the complexity of toxic leadership which involves a relationship between leaders, their followers, and the environment.
- Analyze several toxic leadership scenarios and explore strategies and techniques to improve your abilities to handle these similar situations in your work groups and organizations.
- Build a theoretical framework for the practice of leadership in organizations and groups to minimize the possibility of toxic leadership emerging in your workplace.
- Show greater self-analysis of leadership potential and apply this analysis to your long-term leadership development (e.g., strengths and potential areas of improvement).
Competencies
The assignments in this course are designed to provide opportunities to practice and demonstrate leadership competencies.
| ASSIGNMENT | COMPETENCIES |
|---|---|
| Discussions | • Communication • Critical Thinking |
| Journal | • Critical Thinking |
| Unit 01 Assignment: Leader-of-Concern Interoffice Communication |
• Critical Thinking • Communication |
| Unit 02 Assignment: Leader-of-Concern Recommendations |
• Critical Thinking • Communication |
| Unit 04 Assignment: Guidance-on-Dysfunctional Leaders Podcast, Webinar Recording, or Training Video |
• Critical Thinking • Communication • Teamwork • Innovation |
Organization
This course is made up of 13 lessons divided into 4 units.
For a typical unit, you will complete the following assignments:
- Submit a unit assignment.
For a typical lesson, you will complete the following activities:
- Explore online course content.
- Read a few assigned readings.
- Participate in a discussion or submit a journal entry.
Online Learning and Attendance
This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.
Materials
Texts
There are no required texts. All readings are available on the Web or through PSU Libraries.
Library Services
Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.
Grading
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.
Scale
| LETTER GRADE |
MINIMUM PERCENT |
MINIMUM POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93 | 284 |
| A- | 90 | 275 |
| B+ | 87 | 266 |
| B | 83 | 254 |
| B- | 80 | 244 |
| C+ | 77 | 235 |
| C | 70 | 214 |
| D | 60 | 183 |
| F | 0 | 0 |
Due Dates
All assignments are due by 9:00 AM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2891.
As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g., hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Notes
- To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.
- Late Assignments: Late assignments will lose the point equivalent of 10 percent per calendar day, and they will not be accepted later than 10 calendar days after the due date. Given the time-sensitive, interactive nature of discussions, replies will not be accepted after a lesson ends.
Assignments
Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.
You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within 7 days of their due date.
Method
The guidelines below apply to most assignments, but there may be exceptions. Make sure to read all assignments' directions AND rubrics in their entirety.
- Content quality: Generally speaking, there is no right or wrong answer for these assignments, but you must make your arguments/points based on theory, concepts, research, and/or factual evidence and in a clear and concise manner. This means with clear thesis statements; detailed explanations; apparent connection between theory, concepts, etc. and behaviors/decisions; and strong organization.
- Citations and references: Generally speaking, it is necessary to cite, quote, and reference ideas that you have used. Paraphrasing is preferred to quotes as that demonstrates your grasp of the ideas, but if you use someone else’s words, make sure to quote, cite, and reference. If you paraphrase, remember to cite and reference.
Note on Turnitin (Unit 01 Assignment, Unit 02 Assignment, Unit 03 Assignment, and Unit 04 Assignment): Please be aware that Turnitin will produce an originality report. See the Academic Integrity section for information about the potential consequences of plagiarism and other violations of academic integrity.
| ASSIGNMENT GROUP |
POINTS |
|---|---|
| Discussions | 100 |
| Journal | 40 |
| Unit 01 Assignment | 45 |
| Unit 02 Assignment | 45 |
| Unit 04 Assignment | 75 |
| Total | 305 |
Discussions
Value: 10 x 10 PTS, 100 PTS total
The purpose of the discussion assignments is to analyze course concepts as a class on a deeper level than in the readings or to use the readings to facilitate a deeper understanding. You will interact with classmates and the instructor by sharing thoughtful discussion ideas in the discussion forums. The most important aspect of this assignment is that it is an interactive assignment. It is important to interact with your classmates as they will provide diverse perspectives on the topics at hand, which will expand your knowledge of the concepts immensely.
For every discussion, you will make an initial reply and respond to the questions in the discussion forum's directions. In addition, you will make at least one reply to a classmate or the instructor. Your initial reply is always due a few days earlier than your replies to classmates or the instructor. We encourage you to make your initial reply as early in the week as possible so that everyone else in the class has a chance to respond to your ideas. Your replies to classmates or the instructor are due at the end of the week. Reply by 9 AM ET on the dates on the Calendar.
Your discussion contributions will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, content quantity, content timeliness, and citations and references. For more information, see the rubric in each discussion forum.
Journal
Value: 4 x 10 PTS, 40 PTS total
The purpose of the journal entries is to apply course concepts relating to toxic (destructive) leadership to real-world events — in particular, your personal experiences. Your entry for each lesson should tie in relevant material from the course. Whenever possible, give actual examples that you have experienced. Your entry should be approximately 1-2 pages in length (Times New Roman, 12 pt font, single-spaced).
Throughout the semester, you will write several entries in your journal. Therefore, this will be a running list of entries. Add a new entry to the same document and re-upload it. Attach and submit a single text document to the correct drop box. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf.
Your entry will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, content quantity, content timeliness, and citations and references. For more information, see the rubric in each assignment.
Unit 01 Assignment: Leader-of-Concern Interoffice Communication
Value: 45 PTS
For this assignment, you will apply concepts from our course lessons to create a professional business memo to present concerns about a dysfunctional leader to upper management in an organization. There will be two parts to this assignment. The first part of your paper will be written as a professional business memo. In addition to the memo, you will write a one page synopsis of the dysfunctional leadership concepts you presented in your memo, citing the sources of information. (APA formatting should be used for the second section.)
Attach and submit a text document to the correct drop box. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf. Also upload the document to the course section at Turnitin.
The paper will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, citations and references, and mechanics. For more information, see the assignment directions and the rubric.
Unit 02 Assignment: Leader-of-Concern Recommendations
Value: 45 PTS
For this assignment, you will respond to the leadership concerns presented by one of your classmates in their Unit 01 memo. There will be two parts to this assignment. Your response to the memo will be written as a professional interoffice letter. In addition to the response letter, you will write a one page synopsis of the dysfunctional leadership concepts you presented in your letter, citing the sources of information. (APA formatting should be used for the second section.)
Attach and submit your paper to the correct drop box in Canvas. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf. Also upload the document to the course section at Turnitin.
The paper will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, citations and references, and mechanics. For more information, see the assignment directions and the rubric.
Unit 04 Assignment: Guidance-on-Dysfunctional Leaders Podcast, Webinar Recording, or Training Video
Value: 75 PTS
The final unit assignment offers you the opportunity to integrate insights gained from participation in the discussions and completion of each of the first three unit assignments and consideration of Unit 04 material in the creation of a professional audio podcast for leaders interested in self-development or a training video for department managers in an organization. Your creation will be targeted at a non-academic audience.
Your script will be in first-person voice. Submit your paper (script) and video or podcast link to the correct drop box in Canvas. Use one of the following file types: docx, doc, or pdf. Also upload the script to the course section at Turnitin.
The assignment will be graded based on the following criteria: content quality, structure and organization, and format; in addition, the script will be graded for inclusion of cited support. For more information, see the assignment directions and the rubric.
Final Exam
None
University Policies
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 sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).
Disability Access
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/campus-offices. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.
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 described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. 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.
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Reporting a Bias Incident
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Counseling and Psychological Services
Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.
Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.
Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.
TEACH Act
The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.
University Emergency Procedure
In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.
In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at http://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at http://news.psu.edu.
To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.
Syllabus Subject to Change
The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|