Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course addresses the importance of leadership in contemporary organizations and the world of work. Leadership is a central component of human activity and a key factor in achieving strategic objectives, building collaboration, and shaping organizational culture. It involves not only the qualities and values that leaders embody (to be), but also the capacity to mobilize people and resources towards collective goals (to act), and the ability to support adaptation and transformation in complex environments (to change). Understanding the defining characteristics of leadership and its underlying mechanisms and outcomes at the individual, group, and organizational levels are essential for business students.
The course introduces students to the main theoretical approaches to leadership and examines the processes through which leadership influences individuals, teams, and organizations. Its orientation is academic and evidence-based, with an emphasis on conceptual foundations and their practical applications. Particular attention is given to developing a critical and credible understanding of leadership as a field of study. This perspective aims to equip future managers with the ability to engage thoughtfully with leadership issues and to distinguish between popular trends or misconceptions and knowledge supported by scientific research.
The course is structured around key questions:
- What is leadership, and why does it matter today?
- How do we study leadership scientifically?
- Who are leaders? Traits and personal characteristics
- What do leaders do? Behaviors and styles
- Does leadership depend on the situation?
- How do leaders motivate and engage others?
- How do leaders inspire and drive change?
- How does leadership affect well-being (of followers and leaders)?
- How does leadership shape organizational culture and climate?
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The intended learning outcomes (ILO) of the course are:
- Explain and compare the key concepts and theories of leadership
- Critically analyze leadership theories and research, considering their assumptions, strengths, weaknesses, and scope of application
- Use leadership theories and research to analyze cases and real-life situations, proposing evidence-based interpretations and solutions
- Develop reflexivity about leadership and identify avenues for personal development
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Learning activities are organized around:
- Ex-cathedra courses;
- Individual reading and experimentation;
- Interactive sessions;
- Group-based learning activities;
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Recommended readings:
Antonakis, J., & Day, D. V. (Eds.). (2017). The nature of leadership. Sage publications.
Schedlitzki, D., Larsson, M., Carroll, B., Bligh, M. C., & Epitropaki, O. (Eds.). (2023). The SAGE Handbook of Leadership. Sage.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
The evaluation of this course combines an individual exam and continuous learning activities.
For the first session, the evaluation is composed of:
Individual written exam (15 points; 75%)
The exam consists of two parts: multiple choice questions and one open-ended question/case requiring students to mobilize course concepts, apply them to leadership practice, and demonstrate critical reflection.
Continuous learning activities (5 points; 25%)
These activities are designed to encourage participation, self-reflection, and application of course concepts. They involve both in-class and out-of-class work, as well as an integrated report connecting students' experience with the course content.
For the retake session, the evaluation consists only of an individual written exam (20 points; 100%), with the same structure as above. Continuous activities cannot be redone. However, students who obtained the maximum score (5/5) in continuous learning activities during the first session will receive one bonus point added to their exam score.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Pr. Michaël Parmentier - michael.parmentier@uliege.be
Lorane Berton - lorane.berton@uliege.be