Organizational Leadership


Ol 150 Introduction to Organizational Communication
 A thorough and practical introduction to the skills of effective communication in organizational and professional settings. Based on current theory and research, the course emphasizes acquiring skills and applying theory to organizational communication challenges. 3 credits.


Ol 200 Methods of Critical Inquiry
 Prerequisite, Eng 104 or equivalent. Students examine knowledge and research as they pertain to leadership and organizational studies. Analysis of empirical/scientific method, logic and interpretation and their influence on the study and practice of leadership. Development of research, writing, and presentation skills. (Acceptable equivalent: Soc 201, Phil 203, Psy 201.) 3 credits.


Ol 201 Effective Supervision
 An overview of basic supervisory skills required for front-line administrators, covering principles, techniques, and steps in the administrative process. Topics may include: delegating, planning, hiring, staffing, running meetings, conducting reviews, coaching, negotiating, monitoring, and motivating. (Formerly Oa 201, Principles of Organizational Administration; acceptable equivalent: Mgmt 316.) 3 credits.


Ol 250 Introduction to Leadership
An introductory survey course developing a rudimentary understanding of leadership and the skills manifested by effective leaders. Explores leadership principles through a combination of readings, videos, discussion, self-assessments and exercises. Modeled after Phi Theta Kappa’s comprehensive Leadership Development Program, topics may include: vision, goal-setting, decision-making, time management, team building, empowerment, initiating change, managing diversity, ethics, and servant-leadership. (Not offered at all sites.) 3 credits.


Ol 300 Introduction to Organizational Behavior
Deepens understanding of human behavior in organizations, and how structural conditions shape and constrain individual choices. Topics may include: bureaucracy power and politics, culture, ethics, motivation, diversity, leadership. Course culminates in review of space shuttle Challenger case, in which students prepare comprehensive analysis of the disaster. 3 credits.


Ol 315 Organizational Information Systems
 Prerequisite, Cpsc 200. Students explore the role of information systems in the operation of an organization and will introduce the use of information technologies for the access and retrieval of information from internal information systems and from systems on the Information Superhighway. 3 credits.


Ol 325 Leadership Skills Development Lab
 Through experiential activities, self-assessments, and learner-directed learning sessions (student co-facilitations), participants develop their leadership skills and gain insight into fundamental leadership practices. Patterned after the U.S. Department of Education sponsored Gettysburg Leadership Model, topics may include transactional and transformational leadership, problem-solving, innovation, and popular images of leadership (in literature, music, and film.) (Formerly an Ol 420 offering; may be counted as Ol 420 toward program requirements. Not offered at all sites.) 3 credits.


Ol 350 Leadership and Professional Ethics
 Examines frameworks for ethical judgement as well as contemporary dilemmas and moral issues in organizations, with a special focus on the role of professional ethics and the responsibilities inherent in the commitment to serve others. Topics include: servant leadership; responsibilities of professionals; the obligations of corporations concerning the environment; product safety; the rights of employees; honesty in advertising. 3 credits. (Acceptable equivalent: Phil 316.)


Ol 400 Theory and Practice of Leadership
Prerequisite, Ol 300. Examines leadership from theoretical and practical perspectives. Explores strategies and skills which contribute to creating organizations, systems and structures in which people can develop and apply their full potential as leaders. 3 credits.


Ol 414 Team Building
Prerequisite, one course in Ol or instructor’s consent. Team-based organizations have been created to supplement the traditional, often rigid hierarchical structure within organizations to enhance the effectiveness of leaders. The benefit of its cooperative, collective philosophy have been immediately apparent: teams outperform individuals; create more diverse, stimulating challenges; boost morale; and yield new skills for employees. This class will help you learn how to develop and participate in teams. Topics may include: team development, conflict resolution, communication, and reward systems. The course may include an adventure-based retreat activity (lab fee). (Formerly an Ol 420 offering; may be counted as Ol 420 toward program requirements. Not offered at all sites.)
3 credits.


Ol 420 Selected Topics in Organizational Leadership
Prerequisite, major or minor in organizational leadership or instructor’s consent. Covers special topics related to leadership and/or organization studies, subject to emerging student and/or employer demands (e.g., Spirituality in the Workplace, Work/Life Balance, Women and Leadership). Course may be repeated for credit provided course content is different. Topics vary. 1-3 credits.


Ol 425 The Multi-Cultural Organization: Gender and Diversity Issues at Work
Prerequisite, one course in Ol or instructor’s permission. Understanding and valuing cultural differences assumes greater significance as our world becomes increasingly interdependent. Explores multicultural issues in organizations highlighting how misunderstandings arise and how they can be rectified or prevented. Focuses on diversity issues (gender, race, and class) in domestic and international contexts, particularly as they apply to leadership, communication, teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving. Reading, writing, research, and discussion are supplemented with experiential exercises, role-plays and simulations. (Acceptable equivalent: Com 211 Intercultural Communication.) 3 credits.


Ol 450 Images of Organization
Prerequisite, OL 300 or instructor’s consent. Reviews organizational theories (e.g., classical, neoclassical, structural and systems) and explores different images of organizations (machine, organism, brain, culture, political system, social domination, “psychic prison”), demonstrating how these images can be effective tools for analysis and action in different organizational situations. 3 credits.


Ol 490 /492 Leadership Internship
 Prerequisite, instructor’s consent and junior or senior standing. (Ol 490/492 is required of organizational leadership majors lacking full-time employment or leadership experience.) Organizational leadership majors required to take a leadership internship should do so prior to or concurrent with Ol 498.) An in-depth experience in a formal organization in which students analyze, apply, and assess a range of leadership constructs (e.g., vision, communication, motivation, empowerment) in private-, civic-, service-, or public-sector organizations. Offered pass/no pass only. Forty hours of total effort (including work, preparation, study, meetings, journals, paper) are required per credit hour. 1-3 credits.


Ol 490 Independent Internship
 An independent practicum, in which students develop an independent learning contract in conjunction with an on-site supervisor and a Chapman organizational leadership faculty advisor. 1-3 credits.


Ol 492 Seminar Internship
 Seminar-based practicum, in which interns meet regularly with a faculty member in a group discussion to evaluate their experiences. 1-3 credits.


Ol 498 Action Research Project
 Prerequisite, should be completed toward the end of student's program, or at earliest within 9 credits of completion of major requirements. Open to organizational leadership majors or minors only. Students conduct research on a particular leadership or organizational problem, culminating in a senior integrative paper; including literature review, history/impact, data collection, analysis, action alternatives, and recommendations. The course may include participation in an all-day organizational simulation to further link theory to practice. 3 credits.


Ol 499 Individual Study
 Prerequisite, junior or senior level, OL major or minor, minimum 3.0 GPA and instructor’s and program chair’s consent. Students take on directed reading and/or research on a special problem or topic related to leadership and organization studies resulting in a major paper. Intended for junior and senior students only. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for up to 6 credits.

Graduate Courses


Ol 600 Foundations of Organizational Leadership

Ol 601 Democracy, Ethics, and Leadership

Ol 602 Self, Systems, and Leadership

Ol 613 Seminar in Organizational Dynamics

Ol 614 Leadership and Team Development

Ol 615 Leading Organizational Change



Ol 620 Contemporary Issues in Organizational Leadership

Ol 621 Frontiers of Voluntary Leadership

Ol 625 Developing Leadership Competencies

Ol 626 Dynamics of Voluntary Leadership

Ol 680 Organizational Research

Ol 681 Leadership in Action Practicum/Future of Leadership Seminar


Ol 699 Independent Research