Leadership Studies Minor
Lauren Turner
Program Director, Leadership Studies
(617) 373-6017
l.turner@neu.edu
1 Nightingale Hall
The Leadership Studies minor, located in The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, crafts a curriculum that works well in partnership with a broad spectrum of majors. Courses draw from over 14 departments including the Departments of Communication Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Philosophy, providing an overarching ethical and skills base for students.
This interdisciplinary array of arts and sciences courses helps students develop effective thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills, all critical in leadership development.
At the application level, the Leadership Studies minor currently offers four tracks that serve a wide variety of student interests and concerns: Public Policy, Military Leadership, Women and Leadership, and Business Leadership. A foundations course, ethics course, and practicum round out the minor.
Why Minor in Leadership Studies?
The Leadership Studies minor is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill and practice to become effective leaders in a variety of fields and disciplines. This minor provides students, in any academic major, the preparation needed to become capable in an increasingly complex and competitive world. Students who minor in the Leadership Studies program will hone their skills including critical and analytical thinking, interpersonal and organizational communication, team building, consulting skills, debating, writing, and public speaking. Overall, students are supported in their efforts to pursue issues in a leadership context integrated with the specialized knowledge acquired through their academic major. Experiential learning is an important component in the program and contributes further to a student's ongoing growth and development as a leader.
Curriculum Overview
Take these three courses:
- Intro to Leadership Studies
- Ethics course (from approved list)
- Practicum or experiantial ed (from list)
Choose a track from the selections below.
Choose four courses from the course listing for that track.
Tracks
Business Leadership Track
This track provides a lens through which students can examine and explore organizations and the people within. What is the role of work in society and how does this change across culture and time? How does the definition of effectiveness change for different types of organizations and communities? Does the history of business provide lessons for today's work settings? Students are exposed to practices and ideas geared to help them make a difference, work with others, and accomplish change in their leadership endeavors. Students grapple with processes, strategies and skills at the individual and organizational level including consulting, diagnosis, communication, and working successfully in teams.
Military Leadership Track
This track focuses on providing students with an understanding of war and conflict in an historical, economic, social, and political context. Courses focus on military history, security policy, and conflict negotiations, allowing students to critically analyze leadership through historical case studies. For those who choose Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), this track teaches students the principles of military leadership in an academic setting. It provides students with the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world situations through their participation in the ROTC Cadet Battalion.
Public Policy and Leadership Track
This track is designed for students interested in the functions of government, public policymaking, and public administration. The courses in this track allow students to critically study world leaders, policymakers, and decision-makers in both a historical and contemporary context. Students are able to study how policy decisions affect populations, human and ecological environments, and the legitimacy and authority of public decision-makers. Ultimately, this track offers students the opportunity to understand the dynamics of leadership and decision-making and the impact that public and interpersonal communication skills have on these processes.
Women and Leadership Track
This track provides academic and experiential learning opportunities for students concerned with issues of gender, identity, and the role of women leaders. The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to empowering women, promoting women in the workplace and government, and fostering understanding of women's roles in an increasingly global, diverse, and integrated society. This track will help develop an understanding of women as leaders in both a global and an historical context, raise awareness of how gender relates to the definitions and practices of leadership, and enhance leadership skills for all participating students.