Assignment:
FILM ANALYSIS:
We will be analyzing and coaching leaders using the medium of film. Film cases are very useful in understanding leadership because they provide concrete models of behavior for observation and analysis.
You will consider yourselves as leadership coaches. Your job involves analyzing and diagnosing a leader to determine why he or she is effective or ineffective, and making recommendations based on leadership concepts and theories to help the leader improve In groups, you will present your film analysis. Each student is expected to watch the assigned film and take proper notes so you can contribute to your team's presentation. In each film case, you should identify relevant (and multiple) leadership concepts/theories covered in the course and apply them to the main leader in your film. You should discuss why you feel the leader is effective or ineffective, ethical or unethical, and that discussion should tie in those relevant leadership concepts. You may use film clips to illustrate your points. It is also recommended that you find a short trailer of your film to serve as an overview for the class. Effective group presentations will clearly show how the leadership concepts from the course "came alive" within the film case. You should also encourage a lively discussion of the topics within the class, and in turn, the rest of the class is expected to participate fully in these discussions.
You should conclude your presentation with a list of recommendations that are supported by research findings. If you feel the leader is effective, you won't make recommendations, but you will apply theories that support WHY he or she is effective.
Good sources for scholarly articles are Leadership Quarterly, Leadership, Leadership and Organization Development Journal, Journal of Business Ethics, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Leadership Studies.