Course Syllabus

IUI Fall 2026 SPEA-L 477 (29582) Leadership Applications Syllabus

Required Online Meeting Information

Thursdays, 6:00 p.m.-8:40 p.m. (Canvas Discussions and Zoom Discussions alternate every two weeks. Required synchronous Zoom meetings begin on September 3, 2026.)

• • • • • Required Zoom Meeting Dates: Sept. 3, Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 29, Nov. 12, Dec. 3

Instructor:                Liz Wager

Office hours:            Mondays, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. or by appointment (Please email in advance to avoid meeting time conflicts.)

Location:                 BS 4052

Telephone:               (317) 278-5432

E-mail address:        ewager@iu.edu

Official course description

Introduction to and overview of the fundamental concepts of supervision. Emphasis is on the supervisor's major functions and essential areas of knowledge, relations with others, and personal development. Students will improve their ability to diagnose and address common interpersonal challenges in a variety of types of environments, including through the creation of teams and collaborations. Introduces students to strategic planning and plan implementation and tracking.

About the Fall 2026 L477 Class

The senior-level L477 Leadership Applications course is a hybrid, highly interactive class in which students enrolled in O’Neill leadership programs (B.S., certificate, or minors) integrate and apply new and previously studied leadership theories and concepts. Operating as a flipped classroom, students engage in collaborative, applied learning experiences that simulate real-world leadership development best practices and challenges. Individuals or teams develop a strategic plan to guide their work throughout the semester, including communication strategies, performance metrics, and best practices for managing a semester-long applied leadership project. Learning occurs through readings, videos, Canvas discussions, and Zoom sessions that review best practices for building relationships, motivating individuals and teams, decision-making, and strategic planning; explore the evolution and functions of manager-leader roles in organizations; reflect on the increasing ethical complexity of leading with AI; and evaluate strategies for managing critical organizational processes. Students lead class discussions during Zoom sessions, self-evaluate their leadership application project, and contribute to the body of knowledge for the final exam. The course emphasizes autonomy, collaboration, and applied leadership, culminating in a comprehensive assessment that reflects student contributions to course content and overall evaluation criteria. Per the IU Indianapolis Final Exam Schedule, the Fall 2026 final exam will be delivered online on Thursday, December 17, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Students unable to participate in the Zoom session may take the exam on campus on Friday, December 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.-noon (BS 4087).

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

• Leadership Development for Smarter Leaders, Ekstrom, (2025), ISBN 9789199066905. IU Bookstore
• Smarter Leadership with Artificial Intelligence, Ekstrom (2026), ISBN 9789199066950 IU Bookstore
• See the Canvas Pages located in each Module for all required readings/videos and journal articles.

L477 COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:

• Examine the evolution and functions of supervisory and management roles in organizations.
• Understand the complex ethical and social responsibilities of supervisor/managers.
• Identify best practices for building relationships, motivating individuals and teams, decision-making, and strategic planning for organizational success.
• Evaluate strategies for managing critical organizational processes.