Courses

Management Leadership Sequence - MGMT 1240 and MGMT 1250

These are required leadership courses taught by Archer Center instructors for students in the School of Management. The course sequence is intended for students in their sophomore year. The organizational behavior studies sequence consists of four courses: Management Leadership I & II and Managing High Performance Organizations I & II. Managing High Performance Organizations courses are taught by The Lally School of Management and Technology.

The MGMT 1240 course focuses on leadership theories and principles emphasizing exploration and application of topics related to individual development. Topics include contemporary leadership theories, communication, intercultural competencies and public speaking. MGMT 1250 course builds on the understanding of leadership theories and principles, stressing more individual professional development. Topics include transformational leadership, developing effective goals and vision, understanding MBTI and its theoretical and practical uses, ethics and ethical decision making.

Professional Development Sequence - ENGR 2050 and ENGR 4010

Professional Development 1

One semester; required for Engineering students; one credit.

The purpose of Professional Development 1 is to provide students with an introduction to a simulated professional environment where they can be exposed to the body of knowledge on effective teams. Coursework consists primarily of skills-based learning designed to foster effective teamwork abilities. Skills and topics covered include: collaboration, effective communication and feedback, conflict management, team development, and ethical decision-making. Coursework and assignments are designed for students to gain topical knowledge, analyze and apply basic concepts, and expand written and oral communication skills.

Professional Development 3

One semester; required for Engineering students; one credit.

The Professional Development 3 course builds upon Professional Development 1 in providing a model of leadership within a simulated professional environment. Through experiential learning, students are exposed to specific leadership theories and skills including ethical decision making, developing vision, motivation techniques, and tools to succeed in a diverse organizational culture. This learning approach is designed to promote further development of students' leadership abilities. Coursework, discussion, and written assignments provide students with the opportunity to utilize and enhance their leadership styles.

Professional Leadership Program

Not credit-bearing or required; 1 1/2 semesters in length.

A student interested in becoming a leader needs to bridge the gap between school and the workplace. The Professional Leadership Program (PLP) was designed to help selected juniors and seniors begin this transition.

Since the professional world has become more technical, industry needs new leaders who can create solutions to the world's pressing problems. The PLP will help students succeed in this dynamic environment by moving beyond the limits of the traditional classroom.

The Professional Leadership Program fosters an awareness of the critical intersection between technology and people; how the use of one affects the performance of the others.

The PLP will help strengthen the student's leadership skills and, at the same time, teach them to leverage those skills as a potential leader in the business world.

Access their own professional strengths and interests
Explore and develop their ability to engage and motivate others
Learn to function in the evolving context in which a leader operates; leader/follower/facilitator

The skills developed as a participant in the PLP combined with the strong technical base they are building will help the student more effectively transition into the new workplace.

For more information contact: Catherine Persoon
...or go to the PLP website

Professional Leadership Series for Graduate Engineering Students

Not credit-bearing or required; Wednesdays nights from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for twelve weeks.

Expand your leadership skills! Participate in corporate-style seminars on the following topics:

Personal and Professional Vision
Ethical Decision Making
Influencing Others
Leading Change
Team Development
Building Consensus
Managing Conflict
Negotiation
Communicating Effectively
Organizational Culture
Values and Motivation

Network with corporate leaders! Corporate and academic guests are an integral part of the program. You will have the opportunity to interact with professionals from various disciplines and industries. You will build on your leadership skills and become actively involved in discussions as we explore the application of leadership theories to your experiences. You will enhance your teamwork skills and acquire new tools for understanding and motivating others. You will develop your understanding of the factors involved in ethical dilemmas, and discuss various perspectives and strategies you can use in Ethical Decision Making.

Professional Leadership Series is funded through the Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center by the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative of the National Science Foundation under NSF Award #DMR-0117792.

For more information contact: Annie Virkus @ 276-2119 or email: virkua@rpi.edu