Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership

Composition

This is a process-based writing class that focuses on academic writing, reading, and critical thinking as expressed in expository and analytical writing assignments through 5 to 7 substantial essays over the course of the semester. Develops fluency, coherence, style, effectiveness, and literary analysis. Students must pass this course with a C- or better or demonstrate a comparable level of writing competence to fulfill general competency requirements and to proceed to ENG 123 - Intermediate Composition. Students may only earn credit for ENG 113 or ENG 113E - Composition Enriched with Lab. (3 units)

Intermediate Composition

Continued practice in writing and research strategies, with emphasis on critical thinking, information literacy, argument, analysis, and interpretation of multicultural and interdisciplinary readings. Includes the writing of a major research paper in addition to several shorter essays. Students may earn credit for either ENG 123 or ENG 123E - Intermediate Composition Enriched with Lab. Prerequisite: ENG 113 with a grade of C- or better or evidence of comparable level of writing competency. Note: Students must successfully complete this course with a grade of C- or better to fulfill general education requirements and to begin any literature course. (3 units)

Human Resource Management

This is a survey of the principles and practices involved in supervising employees and administering personnel programs. It includes the study of human resource planning; recruitment; selection; training and development; and compensation and benefits. (3 units)

Business and Organizational Management

This course is the study of management theories and the functional concepts of leadership, planning, and decision making. Special emphasis is placed on quality issues, globalism, diversity, ethics, productivity, motivation, skill development, and human resource management. An emphasis on integrating biblical principles and leadership will also be studied. (3 units)

Interpersonal Communications

This class examines the dynamics of the two-person communication process. Students will study the development of self-concept, self-disclosure, perception, listening, and feedback as they affect the communication process. Non-verbal communication, attitudes, beliefs, and values will also be explored. (3 units)

Leadership Theory

The purpose of this course is to equip students with skills necessary for successful leadership in public, private, and non-governmental organizations. Emphasis is on assessment of personal growth needs and enhancement of administrative skills including communication, decision-making, motivation, leadership styles, and team building. Experimental class work will be utilized in conjunction with classic and current organizational literature so that students can appreciate the bridge linking theory and practice. Students completing this course for credit may not also earn credit for BUS 435. (3 units)

Personal Leadership

This course introduces the student to the concepts of personal leadership and helps identifies the skills and strategies that the student may employ to effectively lead. (3 units)

Communication Principles for Leadership

This course provides an analysis of the principles of communication in the workplace. Students will learn basic communication theories, strategies, and processes as they relate to the modern organizational structure. We will be examining the nature and process of communication in modern organizations, including pragmatic implications of organizational communication theories as they relate to understanding organizations, and implementing change strategies. The course will also compare contemporary principles of leadership with the contemporary literature on communications. (3 units)

Ethical and Biblical Principles for Leadership

This course evaluates the principles for practicing ethical judgments and behavior that confront those in leadership positions. Students will evaluate various ethical frameworks and survey the Bible to explore and develop principles and habits for Biblically-based leadership practices. The course will also compare Biblical principles of leadership with the contemporary literature on leadership and ethics. (3 units)

Decision Making and Leadership

This course explores various biases, common heuristics, and social dynamics that often lead to faulty decisions and evaluates strategies and tactics to safe guard the decision making process so as to enhance the probability of implementing good decisions. Students will also study the creative process and models for making wise decisions that optimize personal and collective outcomes. (3 units)

Culture and Leadership

This course deepens the student's understanding of principles of collaboration, modeling positive behavior, and mentorship in relation to diverse groups, communities, and individuals. Students will evaluate various effective strategies for fostering and nurturing diversity best practices. The course will also have students appreciate the differences of individuals and how to capitalize on those differences as strengths. (3 units)

Groups and Leadership

Effective groups and teams are critical in modern organizations, yet there are often dysfunctional dynamics and processes within the group. This course will provide the student with fundamental concepts relating to group dynamics, group decision making, and interpersonal conflict. Special attention will be paid to diversity in this class. Students will gain a better understanding of dynamics of group interaction in professional and social settings. Understanding the dynamics of small group interaction and having an understanding of some of the techniques for solving conflict and improving communication toward future benefits. This course will provide the platform necessary for the student to engage in accurate communication of ideas which can influence other behavior. (3 units)

Introduction to Leadership

This course examines fundamental principles of leadership and the relation in practice to becoming a more effective leader. In an effort to understand the practical application of leadership, students will examine leadership traits and styles, balancing tasks and relationships, engaging strengths, creating a vision, establishing a constructive climate, embracing diversity and inclusion, managing conflict, addressing ethics, and overcoming obstacles. This introductory course will provide the necessary platform for students to understand what it takes to lead. (3 units)

Conflict Resolution and Negotiation for Leaders

This course examines information about negotiation and conflict-resolution topics and provides concrete examples of strategies and tactics in action for leaders. With a blend of description, theory, skill development, insight, and prescription students gain will gain a foundation in negotiation and conflict resolution with a strong applied focus from a leadership perspective. (3 units)

Change Management and Organizational Design

This course examines the contemporary treatment of the way leaders attempt to increase organizational effectiveness by making organizational change the centerpiece in a larger discussion of organizational theory and design. Students will make the connection between concepts and the real-world implications and application of leading rapid change and organizational design. General areas of concentration include the organization and its environment, organizational design, and the complexity and ambiguity surrounding organizational change. (3 units)

Strategic Project Management for Leaders

This course examines how leaders can approach all projects from a strategic perspective. Students will develop a strategic project mindset, visualize project strategy, learn to speak a common language, and explore a logical framework approach. The primary focus will be on putting these concepts into practice. (3 units)

Overview of the Bible

A general survey of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian writings (New Testament) with special emphasis to the religious and national life of the Hebrew people, the life of Jesus, and the development of the early church. An Online and Professional Studies requirement for Online and Professional Studies degree programs only. (3 units)

Foundations of Christian Thought

An introduction and primer to Christian theology with special emphasis on identifying the importance and development of a Christian worldview, understanding the doctrine of scripture and biblical authority, learning to do theology, comprehending the relationship between truth, faith and reason, and applying a biblical worldview to the Christian life. (3 units)