PADM 5389 781: Lead for Perfom in Nonprof Org

Course Requisites

Graduate standing in the Master of Public Administration program at TAMIU or graduation from master's degree program from any accredited university.

Upon successful completion of this course, each student will:

1. Describe the types and approaches to leadership applicable to public and nonprofit organizations.
2. Discuss the perennial debates of leadership theory.
3. Identify the conditions necessary for a leader’s successful performance.
4. Describe and apply the models of ethical leadership.
5. Describe the different perspectives of influence, attribution and open systems leadership.
6. Discuss the traits and skills that contribute to leader effectiveness.

To determine the final course grade, the following scale is used:

Meet and Greet (Voice Thread)

In the first week of class, each student will be required to introduce themselves and provide a short biography to the class. To complete this assignment successfully, you are required to create a short PowerPoint presentation (PPTX or PPT), with no narration, about yourself. (If you do not have PowerPoint, you may install it for free from your Office 365 account. Visit this page for information.) In this presentation, let us know a bit about your background information, your major, your interests, brief working history, and future career plans (i.e., if you have formulated any at this time), and your interest in taking this class. Finally, provide feedback (or say hello) to two (2) students regarding their introduction posting. This activity is worth 25 points. This will be graded out of a holistic complete/incomplete status. You will receive 15 points for completing your introduction and 10 points for completing your replies to your peers (5 points per comment).

On Blackboard, under Start Here link, click this VoiceThread link with the title that reads "STEP 2. Student Introduction Presentations (VoiceThread)" to submit your presentation and add 1 video comment (of yourself) presenting on top of your presentation. If you have multiple slides, you can present and navigate to the next slide as you save your ONE comment.

View this link to learn about submitting to a VoiceThread Create Assignment. (In their example, they use an image, whereas you will use a PowerPoint or a PDF of your presentation instead.)

NOTE: This is practice for your future oral presentation.

Discussions and Peer Responses 

Your work on the discussion board includes regular threaded discussions in the form of discussion questions and peer responses (PR). Students are required to engage in discussions with fellow students and the instructor on the discussion board. You are required to post an initial response to the discussion question(s) and two (2) peer responses/comments to classmates. On the weeks specified on the course schedule, discussion question prompts will be posted Blackboard Ultra, and students are required to respond. Type your responses in the text box provided or compose in a word processing program and then copy and paste. Do not submit as an attachment. The Discussion Board is supposed to simulate class discussion, so do not wait until the last minute to post responses as your classmates will not have time to respond. There will be a total of three (3) discussion prompts during the semester. You may use the textbook and readings to complete the assignments. The minimum and maximum word limit for the initial post is 400 and 500, respectively. Any post on the discussion board must be well developed, meaning that it should be meaningful, have relevance to the topic, show critical thinking, application of course material and source citations (see rubric for more information).

In addition to the initial posts, you must also reply or comment on two (2) student initial posts. There is no limitation on how long your comments should be for the replies to your fellow classmates; however, simple responses such as “I agree, “You are right”, “Great posting”, and “Thank you” will not be graded. I expect to see a more fully developed and thoughtful reply or comment. The deadline for peer responses is the same as the corresponding discussion board deadline. However, I encourage students to craft their initial posts by Friday and to reply by Sunday. This encourages you to focus on one element at a time and encourages a natural progression to (1) address the prompt, (2) read through replies, and then (3) respond to their peers. Please note that you can only see other students’ posts after you post your own. Please see the rubric for grading details and the course schedule for due dates and times.

Case Study Analyses

In other weeks, you will be presented with a Case Scenario. Case analyses are a great way for both the student and the instructor to monitor your understanding of the material and your progress in the course. The case study analysis will have a description of the case, and after that, students will be required to answer some questions based on the case study and the reading of the week. When addressing the questions, students should incorporate key aspects of the lesson as evidence to the student’s analysis of the case through proper in-text citations. This is not just answering the questions, this is analyzing, defending, and supporting your opinion in a real-world context. There will be a total of three (3) case study analyses. The minimum word limit for each case analysis is 400, and the maximum is 500 words. You may use the power point notes, textbook, etc., to complete this assignment.

In addition to the Case Analyses, you are expected to read initial student postings throughout the module and reply to at least two students’ posts. Please note that there is no word limit for these responses. However, certain responses will not be graded. These include responses such as “I agree,” “You are right,” or “I disagree”. Good responses are logical, well-reasoned, and supported by evidence from readings of the week. See the course grading table and rubrics.

News Posts

Since nonprofit leadership is a dynamic topic, often noted in the news and nonprofit, you will be required to post two news posts during the semester about leadership in nonprofit organizations in the news. To accomplish this, you will need to monitor the news. The stories MUST be from a credible news source/website (not The Daily Show, or a blog, even if the blog is part of a newspaper’s website). News Post #1 should be any news Related to Leadership Styles and or approaches in nonprofit organizations and News Post #2 should be any news related to Leadership Effectiveness in Nonprofit Organizations. If you are unsure whether the news source is credible, please ask me. Once you identify the News Post/article you are required to summarize to your classmates what i) the post is about and ii) how it relates to/ its importance to leadership in nonprofit organizations. The length of the News Post should be between 150 and 200 words. Please provide the link to the post at the end of your summary. In addition to your initial News post, you will be required to reply to two of the news stories that were posted by your classmates. Please respond to their description of the story and add substantive comments. The comments/replies are due on the same day and time as the News Posts. See the course schedule for due dates and times.

Final Paper- Oral Presentation

Part of the assessment for the final exam includes an oral presentation of the leadership assessment paper. The oral PowerPoint presentation will contribute 10% of the final exam. You will each be responsible for giving a pre-recorded oral PowerPoint presentation at the end of the semester. This assignment will test your communication skills, your organizational proficiency, and your ability to incorporate all necessary information to give an in-depth assessment of leadership in the chosen nonprofit organization.

Presentation requirements include the following:

• Your presentation should be a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 sides and should run between 10-15 minutes in length and not longer. The following is a suggested outline for the presentation.

• Introduction: Present a clear picture of the context of your interview – the name of the organization and mission, programs/services, location, whom you interviewed (position in the organization). 

• Body: Provide a summary of information gathered from the interview. Provide your perspective or opinion on the results. For any problem areas identified, include a strategy for corrective action based on the text and how this would work in the organization. In your presentation, please cite and reference sources used.

• Conclusion: Sum up your arguments and draw a conclusion about what you have presented.

Embedded videos used within your presentation are not allowed. If you need to include a short video to bring movement, pictures, and sound into your presentation, then you need to elaborate and explain the use of such video and discuss, in detail, the content and always make sure that the clip is directly relevant to your content and tied up with the rest of the presentation. Tell your audience what to look for. Avoid showing any more films than you need.

IMPORTANT: VoiceThread Limitations with PowerPoints

The VoiceThread site does not support all fonts on their website. If you use special fonts in VoiceThread, your fonts, and spacings may change once uploaded to VoiceThread. Instead, it is recommended to upload a PDF version of your presentation to VoiceThread. PDFs will preserve the fonts and spacing in the VoiceThread slides. (To create a PDF, use the "Export > Create Adobe PDF", "Save as Adobe PDF", or "Save As > Use PDF filetype" options.)

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-powerpoint-presentations-as-pdf-files-9b5c786b-9c6e-4fe6-81f6-9372f77c47c8

Do not spend time creating slide transitions or animations in your PowerPoint slides. PowerPoint slide transitions and animations are not transferable to VoiceThread slides. Slides are converted into slide images (without transitions and animation) in VoiceThread.

Summary of Submission Instructions:

When ready, submit your PowerPoint presentation to the VoiceThread assignment link below.

• Visit this link over how to submit a VoiceThread Create Assignment. 

  • https://voicethread.com/howto/submitting-create-assignment/

• You must create a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 slides in VoiceThread.

• You must add a minimum of one comment (webcam/video comment) to present on top of your VoiceThread presentation.

• You can use one comment to record all your slides (all at once), OR you can record a comment on each slide to present that slide.

• Reminder: The total time for your presentation should be 10-15 minutes.

• Submit your VoiceThread presentation by December 6, 11.59 pm.

• Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval.

Final Paper- Leader Assessment Research

The final research paper constitutes a substantial portion of your final grade and will be based on successful completion of assessing leadership in a non-profit organization. Students will submit their assessment based on the concepts of leadership learnt during the semester. To achieve this, each student will select a nonprofit organization and collect information by interviewing at least 1 professional in a leadership position (required) and reviewing relevant documents (if needed). Overall, the interview questions will focus on leadership traits, skills, and behaviors and an assessment of the leader’s performance in their position.

Interview Questions

1. Leadership plays an important role in every organization. How would you define the concept of leadership and why it is important? How long have you been in this leadership role?

2. In your experience, what are the most important skills for a leader to have? As a leader, which skills do you possess and how have you used them in this organization?

3. From your perspective and experience, what leadership traits are key to leadership success? What traits apply to you as a leader in this organization?

4. In your opinion, which leadership styles (for example, directive, supportive, participative etc.) are effective in managing employees? Which ones do you often use for managing employees, or does it differ based on the type of employees?

5. As a leader, how do you motivate employees and what challenges have you faced when trying to motivate employees?

6. As a leader, how do you handle conflict among employees?

7. In your leadership role, how do you monitor and assess tasks of subordinates?

8. In terms of communication, how best do you keep employees informed about the goals and objectives in your organization?

9. In your opinion what constraints are placed on you as a leader by legal/contractual restrictions (such as legal limitations on rewarding and punishing employees, mandatory purchasing/travel/process requirements, union contracts).

10. Overall, how would you rate your performance as a leader and what areas would you improve on?

Structure of the Research Paper

• Organizational Description: include a brief overview of the organization to include the mission, programs/services, location, number of employees, who you interviewed and their position.

• Assessment Results: Present a summary of the assessment results. This can be in the form of question and answer or paraphrased.

• Your perspective on the results: For any problem areas identified, include a strategy for corrective action based on the text and how this would work in the organization. please cite and reference sources used.

• Conclusion: Sum up the research findings, and draw a conclusion about what you have found and what you learned throughout the course (theory vs practice).

Research Paper Timeline

For this activity, you will:

• Identify a nonprofit organization (medium, or large), and one professional (in a leadership position) from the NPO that you are going to interview.

• Inform the instructor of the name of the organization, the professional to be interviewed, and their positions by November 11 (via course messages).

• I recommend that you conduct interviews between Week 5 and 6.

• Turn in your oral presentation by December 6, 11:59 pm.

• Turn in your final research paper by December 8, 11:59 pm.

Formatting

The final report should be of high quality, 8-10 pages in length, written in a clear format, supporting your analysis with material from the text and other outside reference sources (if applicable). The page requirement does not include the cover page and reference page. The report should be double spaced with 1-inch margins, 12-point font, and Times New Roman. Students must professionally cite all sources properly and consistently, using the American Psychological Association (APA). All work that is borrowed directly, paraphrased, or alluded to, must be properly cited. The written report will be graded for specificity, depth, and quality of discussion.

Your final grade in this course will be determined in the following manner:

This is an online course, and all course materials (textbook, reading, discussions, assignments, exams, and meetings) will be available online. The MPA program emphasizes the need for faculty and students to interact regularly online. For this class, student-faculty interaction will be done weekly via discussion forums, assignment feedback, emails and office hours.

Online Courses and On-Campus Meetings

Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 2, Subchapter J, Section 2.202, defines distance education as the formal educational process that occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical setting for the majority (more than 50%) of instruction. Distance education includes hybrid and 100% online courses and programs as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB):

• Hybrid Course - A distance education course in which more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations.

• 100-Percent Online Course - A distance education course in which 100 percent of instructional activity takes place when the student(s) and instructor(s) are in separate physical locations. Requirements for on-campus or in-person orientation, testing, academic support services, internships/fieldwork, or other non-instructional activities do not exclude a course from this category.

Course Structure

The course is structured on a weekly basis and students must plan to complete weekly discussions, responses, and assignments within the deadline. The course will be delivered online via Blackboard, which will enable students to complete academic work in a flexible manner, completely online. If you are taking this course, you must be self-motivated. In this online class, my teaching approach is to encourage reflection on critical thinking and challenging issues through online discussions, peer feedback, case studies, and the final paper. Finally, we will meet for an hour in Class Collaborate, on Friday, the 1st of November (Week 2, 6-7 pm). The purpose of the meeting is to clarify any concerns or questions regarding the course, and final research paper

Student-Instructor Communication Policy and Response Time

Announcements/Course Messages/Emails
This course uses online tools for interaction and communication. The instructor will communicate with students mainly through the blackboard message (preferred) and email. During weekdays (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm), I usually reply to your email within 24 hours. During weekends and holidays, I will reply within 48 hours. Note: If you have something that needs the instructor’s immediate attention, please send me an email with URGENT – PADM 5379 in the subject line. Do not hesitate to visit me during my virtual office hours on Blackboard Virtual Meeting Space: Mondays and Wednesday 5-6 p.m.

Assignments and Assessments

This is a professional program, thus professional presentation and language use is expected. Grades will reflect content, analysis, presentation, grammar, and language use. Submissions must be fully referenced and include appropriate in-text citations and a full bibliography. Overall, student assignments will be graded on the thoroughness and quality of your analysis and recommendations, including your grasp of the issues involved, the use of course material, i.e., the extent to which you applied course material to the situation and your ability to adhere to the length guidelines. The professor will facilitate learning, answer questions appropriately, be fair and objective in grading. The professor will provide feedback in all discussion assignments, guidance, and additional information that is pertinent to the assignment. Finally, the professor will maintain adequate office hours, and provide timely and useful feedback on assignments within 5 days after the assignment deadline.

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Please use courtesy when addressing each other on-line. An open communication and discussion are supported through the proper understanding of “Netiquette: Etiquette Guidelines for this Online Course” (found under the lessons tab in the folder “Start Here”) as a guideline for how students should interact with faculty and other students in the on‐line setting.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.

Computer/Technology Requirements

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Additional Hardware. For this class, you will need the following additional hardware: Recently purchased laptops may have these built-in web cameras.  If you do not have this equipment, it is recommended to purchase a stand-alone webcam, microphone, or a webcam with a built-in microphone from your local electronic store or any online store.

NOTE: Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services may check out available webcams to students on a first-come, first-served basis. To check out a webcam, please stop by Killam Library, Room 259, and request an available webcam.

Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: [list any additional software required here. Additionally, and if applicable, you may use the following statement:] TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students, if you do not own the required hardware or software or do not have access to the Internet, it will be highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you in finding solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, classrooms, and available computer labs. Visit Media Services’ web page on the availability of on-campus computer labs. In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard)

Students are provided with an orientation (*eLearning (Blackboard) Student Orientation*) and access to guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services' Student eLearning Tutorial Videos page or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Minimum Technical Skills Expected

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage.

Technical Support Services

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Web Conferences/Synchronous sessions

We will meet for an hour in Class Collaborate, on Friday of Week 1 (6-7 PM). The purpose of the meeting is for us to meet, follow up on course progress, discuss concerns, and clarify assignments and the final paper. The meeting is scheduled on Blackboard (virtual meeting space)

Grading Scale/Schema 

In determining the final course grade, the following scale is used in percentage or point value.
•    90-100 = A
•    80-89 = B
•    70-79 = C
•    60-69 = D
•    Below 60 = F

Late Work Policy

The dates of assignments and exams are indicated on the course schedule. Note: late assignments will not be accepted, except in the case of documented medical emergencies or other extenuating circumstances as per COAS Policies. Students have the responsibility to provide paper proof when requesting late submission. Please check your student handbook for COAS policies. In case of extenuating circumstances, make-up exams will be given only for legitimate reasons and with proper written documentation. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to provide the reason(s) for missing the deadline. If you are unable to contact me yourself, please have a friend/family member/classmate email me on your behalf.

Course Evaluation

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.

Turnitin Policy Or Other Types of Assignments in Other Systems

The final paper will be submitted through Turnitin. For more information on Turnitin, see the link below: 

https://www.tamiu.edu/distance/technology/turnitin.shtml

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

Syllabus Subject to Change

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.