2025 (Current Year) Special graduate degree programs Specially Offered Degree Programs for Graduate Students Tokyo Tech Academy for Leadership
Introduction to Leadership B
- Academic unit or major
- Tokyo Tech Academy for Leadership
- Instructor(s)
- Makiko Haraga
- Class Format
- Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Fri
- Class
- B
- Course Code
- TAL.W401
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 26, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is designed to help students define the concept of leadership, which is relevant to a more diverse and rapidly changing world. Students will explore some of the existing leadership models and identify the pros and cons of each model. Students will also be introduced to a variety of communication techniques that are essential for working with people from different cultural or professional backgrounds. A strong emphasis is put on learning by doing; students will be asked to do group activities, in which they get to develop the skills that are key to successful co-creation. Throughout the course, students will be expected to think outside the box, reflect on their learning, and provide thoughtful feedback for their peers. It is hoped that the composition of the class will be diverse—a good mix of international students and Japanese students.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will have critically explored some of the most common theories of leadership, reflected on their own concepts and experiences, and begun to articulate what leadership means for them. Likewise, students will have applied some of these concepts or styles of leadership explored during the course to facilitate group work. Throughout the course, students will also learn to develop intercultural competence and effective communication skills. *This course is a deemed entrepreneurship course and GA0M can be obtained.
Keywords
Leadership, discussion, workshop, facilitation, persuasion, problem solving
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The class is highly interactive. Therefore, students’ strong commitment and active participation are key to success, not only for themselves, but also for the entire class.
Each week, we will explore a different topic (e.g. leadership model, intercultural competence) in the first half of the class. Students are expected to complete all the readings provided by the instructor and come to class prepared for a meaningful discussion. In the second half of the class, students will be engaged in group work, followed by a de-briefing session.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction Introduction to authentic leadership | How to lead, engage, or motivate people toward a common goal. |
| Class 2 | Leading people/ideas Sharing narratives of your personal leadership experience | Learn to respect differences in terms of thought process, approach, motivation, and philosophy. |
| Class 3 | Leadership vs. Management | Understand the differences between leaders and managers through reading and discussion |
| Class 4 | Presentations: Self awareness and understanding how others see you | Each student delivers a presentation on "Self awareness and how others see me." |
| Class 5 | Exploring different models of leadership | Understand the traditional models of leadership and analyze why they can be irrelevant in today’s context. |
| Class 6 | Building intercultural competence | How to improve one’s own cultural sensitivity, how to increase cultural awareness in the workplace. |
| Class 7 | Defining leadership in today’s world Due: Reflection paper | Students should be able to identify key factors for successful co-creation: What works and what doesn’t? |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
The instructor will provide handouts in advance of the class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
The grade will be determined as follows.
Class participation: 20% (Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, and a willingness to learn)
Presentation: 30%
Reflective paper: 50%
Related courses
- TAL.W502 ： Fundamental Group Work for Leadership I
Prerequisites
The desired level of English skills is upper-intermediate and above.