Reference no: EM132267072

Assessment task: Critical Analysis Assignment

Objective - This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives

Reading - The Dean's Disease: How the Darker Side of Power Manifests Itself in the Office of the Dean by Arthur G. Bedeian

Task: STANDARD and DISTANCE MODE

The Reading Material book (RM) contains Recommended Readings and four sections of Topic Readings.

The topic readings section: Section 3 Leadership: Power and Corruption (pages 299 to 366) is to be used for the Autumn 2019 assessment task. The section contains five articles (Reading 3.1 through to Reading 3.5), students should read the articles and then must choose one of them and complete a detailed critical analysis of that chosen paper.

You may refer to other articles (correctly referenced) in the Reading Material book or other recent peer reviewed journal papers. If you rely substantially on a paper not included in the RM you must attach a copy of the paper as an appendix to your assignment.

You must avoid opinion; do provide logical, considered reasons for your analysis of the paper's approach to its subject, assertions and conclusions. Identify the key ideas and concepts being put forward by the author. Rigorously consider the relevance, validity, consistency and logic of the evidence provided by the author to justify his/her ideas or to support the conclusions reached. Discuss any identifiable bias or motive that may have coloured the author's approach or influenced the formulation of the conclusions.

Applications or relevant knowledge from other sources may be used in this discussion provided they are completely referenced. Original and thoughtful comment well substantiated will be highly regarded. Good presentation, structured organisation of the content and clarity of writing are basic expectations for a satisfactory report.

Learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a developed capacity to be a life long student of leadership.

2. Identify and demonstrate a capacity to consider both positive and negative aspects associated with a set of ideas or a problem or opportunity and reach a personal position that places due weight on different perspectives. Students should be able apply critical analysis/thinking effectively.

3. Execute and proactively pursue self-reflection as a means of guiding their personal, managerial and leadership development.

4. Communicate a well developed awareness of the historical development and the thrust of the dominant leadership theories and be able to discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

Learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CIL0s) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:

• Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.5)
• Demonstrate research skills (B.6)
• Apply abstraction, mathematics and/or discipline fundamentals to analysis, design and operation (C.1)
• Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (Manage self) (D.1)
• Reflect on personal and professional experiences to engage in independent development beyond formal education for lifelong learning (D.2)
• Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose (E.1)
• Work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams within a multilevel, multidisciplinary and multicultural setting (E.2)
• Be able to conduct critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements (F.1)
• Appreciate ethical implications of professional practice (F.2)
• Understand cross-cultural issues (regions or workplaces) (F.3)