SOMS 381: SECTION 544

Workshop in Leadership Education II

SPRING 2015
Instructor
Dr. Dave Wentling
219A Langford Architecture Center
College Station, TX 77843-1227
979.458.4196
david-j-wentling@tamu.edu

Office Hours
By Appointment

Course Prerequisite
Students enrolled in this course must be classified as a junior or seek instructor approval.
Course Description
The SOMS courses are designed to foster personal and organizational leadership development.
This spring junior workshop will help you to develop competence in various leadership and
management practices applicable to an array of situations. The course will also provide you the
opportunities to apply such competencies to your personal experiences occurring presently and
those in the future.
This course focuses on organizational leadership development with specific attention to intragroup relationships and techniques for achieving group goals. The workshop emphasizes
creating an ethical environment to develop members, lead teams, and make difficult decisions.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. List and describe the responsibilities of executive leaders.
2. Discuss the importance of establishing a positive working environment of trust and
accountability.
3. Describe the importance of developing organizational/staff members.
4. Discuss problem-solving techniques.
Grading
Your grade will reflect your mastery of the subject matter. The grades for this course will be
based on the number of points you receive for each of the graded areas. The total possible
number of points is 100.
Point Distribution
Assignments
Midterm Evaluation
Participation
Final Evaluation
TOTAL

50
15
20
15
100

Course Grade
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F=< 60

Required Text: The Flip Side: Break Free of Behaviors That Hold You Back; Flip Flippen,
Springboard Press, New York, 2007

SOMS 381

Spring 2014

Course Outline
Class
Week /
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Mar 1620
9
10
11
12
13
14

Discussion Topic

Due Dates

Introduction/Overview
of Executive Leadership
Making the Transition
To Upper Management
Preparing for the Job/
Practices of Exemplary Executives
Responsibilities of the Executive
Leader
Preparing for the Role
Fundamentals of Assessment
Midterm Evaluation
Data Analysis
Spring Break
Data and Effective Decisions
Developing and Leading Followers
Developing Standards
Evaluating the Situation/Leading a Team
What Makes an Effective Executive
Final Evaluation

TriAction Plan

Other Important Dates

January 20
First Day of spring semester classes
January 26
Last day to Add/Drop
January 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Faculty/staff holiday
March 16-20
Spring Break
April 3
Reading day, no classes
April 21
Last day to Q-drop
April 17-19
Parents Weekend

SOMS 381

Spring 2014

April 21
May 4
May 5
May 6
May 7-12

Muster
Prep Day
Last Day of Spring Semester
Reading Day, No classes
Final Examinations

Graded Work
Assignments (50 pts)
Your comprehension and synthesis of material will be evaluated through assessments, class
exercises and writing assignments. You will have out-of-class assignments due throughout the
semester. These assignments will be assigned a week prior to their due date. There will be ten
weekly exercises worth 5 points each.
Midterm and Final Evaluations (15 pts each; 30 total)
You will be evaluated at midterm and at the end of semester over the material and concepts
presented during the semester. The evaluations will cover all lectures, exercises, and
assignments. The format will be short answer and essay/case study.
Class Participation and Attendance (20 pts)
In order to effectively participate in the course, you must read the course assignments and
participate in class discussions and activities. The participation grade will be based on your
class involvement as well as your attendance record. Attendance is expected. Excused
absences must conform to University guidelines. Make-up assignments for excused absences
will be given only one week after the date of the scheduled assignment or by agreement with
the instructor. Assignments missed without excused absences will be assigned the grade
0.
All assignments must be typed. Late assignments will be allowed to be turned in,
however, points will be deducted for each day they are late. A minimum of 1 point will be
awarded for weekly exercise assignments turned in more than 4 days late.
Attendance **Please keep aware of these rules. Avoid their enforcement by coming to class.**
Remember that class participation = class involvement + attendance. Attendance is required. Excused
absences must conform to University guidelines. A make-up exam and/or assignment for an excused
absence will be given one week after the date of the regularly scheduled exam/assignment, or otherwise
only by agreement with the instructor. Assignments missed without excused absences will be assigned
the score 0.
Unexcused absences: Your absence from a class about which you have not contacted me to explain the
absence, before that same class meets, is an unexcused absence. In the week following that class
meeting and before the next class meets, you must provide me with documentation (doctors note, for
example) of the reason for your absence if you would like to have your absence excused.
1. I will allow each student one unexcused absence this semester (meaning, an absence about
which you do not contact me before the class is held, and for which you do not provide
documentation). You may NOT take this unexcused absence on a date when you are expected to
make a presentation in class.
2. After two unexcused absences, I will automatically take 5 points off your course grade. This will
reduce your grade by a half letter grade.
3. After three unexcused absences, I will automatically take 10 points off your course grade. This
will reduce your grade by a full letter grade.
4. Any additional unexcused absences will result in your receiving an F as final grade for the
course.

SOMS 381

Spring 2014

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or
call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Academic Integrity Statements
Aggie Honor Code
An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do.
Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a
commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the
philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment
on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not
exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the
Honor System. For additional information please visit: http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes and substitutions to the course outline
and syllabus without prior notification.

SOMS 381

Spring 2014