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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Strategic Sustainable Development
Revision: 3
Reg.no:
Course syllabus
Leading in Complexity
Leading in Complexity
10 credits (10 högskolepoäng)
Course code: SL2534
Main field of study: Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2017-08-01
Approved: 2017-05-26
1. Descision
This course is established by Dean 2017-03-01. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Strategic Sustainable Development 2017-05-26 and applies from 2017-08-01.
2. Entry requirements
Bachelor’s Degree or a professional qualification of 180 credits and English B and at least 6 months of relevant work experience, such as work, internship, volunteer work, commission of trust, or the equivalent, full time or part time, which demonstrates experience of sustainability work.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
The purpose of the course is for the student to (1) develop deepened knowledge about and understanding of theoretical foundations for leadership in complexity, specifically related to transformative change for sustainability and (2) develop skill required to work effectively with complex challenges, including the ability to critically reflect on various approaches in the field.
3.2 Content
The course contains theories, concepts, methods and tools for leadership in the context of change for sustainability. The course touches on systems thinking, organizational learning, transformative change, dialogic organization development, personality dynamics, working with conflict and facilitation of collaboration between different disciplines, organizational units and sectors of society. The course also contains concrete practice of skills for leading in complex contexts with a focus on leadership towards sustainability, including critical reflection on different leadership methods and the suitability of these in different situations for this type of leadership.
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Explain, discuss and reflect on different theories and concepts related to leadership in complexity and transformational change, specifically in the context of strategic sustainable development.
- Describe key leadership skills and explain their significance in addressing the sustainability challenge.
***Abilities and skills***
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Apply and combine different theories, concepts, methods and tools for leadership in complexity to design participatory processes.
- Assess her/his own skills and abilities in relation to leadership for sustainability and create her/his own leadership development plan focused on life-long learning.
***Judgment and approach***
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Critically reflect on methods and tools within leading in complexity as well as on overarching approaches to handle complex challenges and discuss these with people and groups of different educational, professional and cultural backgrounds.
5. Learning activities
The teaching in the course includes lectures, workshops, supervision, group dialogues, individual project assignments, group works and individual reflection and reflection in group. The lectures introduce theories, concepts, methods and tools. These are deepened, applied, integrated and reflected upon through the other learning items. Teachers with many different scientific backgrounds, professional experience and perspectives take part in the course. The students’ different educational backgrounds, professional experience and cultural backgrounds are also taken advantage of in the learning process. They are trained in receiving and giving criticism from many different perspectives. Supervised group dialogues aim at cross-fertilization of the individuals’ different expertise and experiences. The course runs over the entire academic year which makes considerable progression possible.
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 1710 | Written assignment 1 | 2.5 credits | GU |
| 1720 | Written assignment 2 | 2.5 credits | GU |
| 1730 | Written assignment 3 | 2.5 credits | GU |
| 1740 | Project assignment | 2.5 credits | GU |
The course will be graded G Pass, UX Failed result, a little more work required, U Fail.
A pass on all items is required to obtain a final grade. To be graded, the project assignment and the individual assignments must be submitted on-time. Late submissions, as well as poor-participation in project group activities, is considered as a fail for that submission opportunity, unless otherwise agreed with the course examiner. Two opportunities to perform failed assignments are offered within the next learning period. All submission deadlines are outlined in the Course PM, which is handed out at the beginning of the course. Further opportunities to perform failed assignments are provided at the next offerings of the course.
The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
Compendium with articles and other material.
10. Additional information
This course replaces SL2530
This is not a legal document. If you would like a copy of the legal decision regarding this course plan, contact the registrar at Blekinge Institute of Technology.