This module aims to:

Develop a conceptual framework for responsible leadership;

Differentiate between leadership and management;

Explore various interpretations of 'responsibility' in leadership;

Equip students to become future socially responsible leaders;

Contextualise leadership within contemporary organisational forms;

Promote critical and reflexive thinking to challenge conventional leadership practices;

Increase awareness of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in leadership roles.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically discuss the origins of responsible leadership.

(LO2) Students will be able to apply responsible leadership principles to global management and leadership challenges.

(LO3) Students will be able to discuss the four key concept model in analysing case studies.

(LO4) Students will be able to differentiate between and explain various leadership theories and traditions.

(LO5) Students will be able to employ critical social scientific thinking in addressing practical leadership issues.

(LO6) Students will be able to explain the dependence of leadership on social and organisational dynamics, including power and inequality.

(LO7) Students will be able to explain the pathways and relationships that situate leadership within complex political, economic, and ecological systems.

(S1) Critical Thinking
Students will learn to analyse and evaluate complex issues related to leadership and sustainability, questioning conventional practices and considering alternative approaches.

(S2) Ethical Decision-Making
The module will enhance students' ability to make principled choices that consider the well-being of all stakeholders and long-term impacts.

(S3) People Management
Students will develop skills in managing diverse teams, understanding different perspectives, and fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

(S4) Effective Communication
The module will improve students' ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively, both in written and verbal forms, ensuring they can convey complex concepts to various audiences.

(S5) Strategic Thinking
Students will learn to think strategically about leadership in the context of organisational goals, industry trends, and global challenges, enabling them to plan and implement business and organisation initiatives effectively.

The module will be delivered over twelve weeks, comprising ten teaching weeks plus two enhancement weeks. The approach to teaching and learning will combine the use of large group in-person and asynchronous lectures, small group seminars (or workshops), scheduled seminar preparation sessions, and cross-programme contemporary issues sessions.

Lectures (total of 14 hours) - Each week will include at least a one-hour scheduled lecture, except for four weeks (scheduled at the beginning, mid-points and end of the module), which will be delivered as two-hour, in-person, live lectures. One-hour lectures could also be delivered live and in-person but may alternatively be provided online or asynchronously (including appropriate scaffolding and online supporting material) at the discretion of the module teaching team.

Seminars (total of 12 hours) - Each module will include six two-hour seminars. These seminars will be interactive small-group in-person workshops.
Seminar prepa ration (total of 6 hours) - Each seminar will also include a scheduled one-hour preparation session, enabling students to engage in relevant preparation activities, as deemed necessary by the module teaching team.

Contemporary Issues Sessions (total of 4 hours) - The module will also include two two-hour contemporary issues lectures or events that are directly relevant to the module and broader programme of study. These may include a lecture from a member of faculty on their research, an external industry speaker or a member of the advisory board and will be organised by the Director of Studies in coordination with module teams.

Self-directed learning (total of 164 hours) – Students will engage in self-directed learning in a wide variety of ways throughout the programme. This will include engaging in scaffolded independent learning tasks set outside the classroom on the virtual learning platform, independent reading from essential and recommended sources (e.g., journ al articles, textbooks, industry reports, practitioner publications), assignment development and preparation, formative online quizzes, case study analysis, simulation-based tasks, and self-directed group activities. Staff responsible for the module will also provide weekly office-hours and dedicated assessment and feedback sessions for students to seek individual support and formative feedback on their independent learning and progress.

Origins of Responsibility in Leadership. Introduction to the four Key Concepts:
Explore the historical roots of responsible leadership and the foundational principles that guide ethical decision-making. Understand how these four key concepts shape business practices.

Foundations of the Responsible Leader: Steiner, Freire, Whitehead, Dewey:
Study the contributions of prominent thinkers like Steiner, Freire, Whitehead, and Dewey. Learn how their philosophies influence contemporary leadership models.

The Utilitarian Tradition, Functionalism and the Legacy of Parsons in Contemporary Models (Skills and Competence):
Examine the utilitarian approach and functionalist perspectives in leadership. Analyse how Parsons' legacy impacts today's leadership skills, competencies, and business practices.

Moral Philosophy and The Stakeholder Model:
Delve into moral philosophy and its relevance to leadership. Understand the stakeholder model and how it pr ioritises the interests of all organisational stakeholders for sustainability.

Authentic Leadership: From ‘Having’ to ‘Being’:
Investigate the concept of authentic leadership, emphasising personal integrity and authenticity. Learn how shifting from a focus on possession to being enhances sustainable leadership effectiveness.

Beyond One Dimensional (Wo)Man:
Challenge the traditional, one-dimensional view of leaders. Explore the complexities and multifaceted nature of leadership in diverse and sustainable organisational contexts.

The Social Construction of Responsibility?:
Analyse how social and cultural contexts shape the understanding and practice of responsibility in leadership. Discuss the implications of these constructions for business practices.

Origins of Critical Leadership:
Trace the development of critical leadership theories. Understand how critical perspectives question traditional paradigms and pro pose sustainable leadership alternatives.

The Lancaster Model of Responsibility:
Learn about the Lancaster Model and its unique approach to responsible leadership. Examine its principles and application in fostering sustainable organisations.

The Changing Workplace: Network Organisations, New Technologies, and AI:
Explore the impact of technological advancements and networked organisations on leadership. Understand the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and new technologies in promoting sustainability.

Gender, Race, and Intersectionality: Decolonising Leadership:
Study the intersections of gender, race, and other social categories in leadership. Discuss strategies for decolonising leadership to enhance inclusivity and sustainability.

Ecological Responsibility: Leadership and the Anthropocene:
Investigate the role of leadership in addressing ecological challenges. Understand the concept of the Anthropocene and the importance of ecolog ical responsibility in sustainable business practices.