Coursework

Attached is a list of courses I have taken at American University that relate to leadership. Each one of these courses has allowed me to grow as a leader and has taught me valuable lessons on how different leadership styles are applicable in a wide variety of situations.

  • Leadership Development Lab I (SPA-361)
    • Structured and unstructured exercises, including community service activities, to increase students’ understanding of leadership and the role of leaders in the public policy-making process and develop their personal leadership skills in communication, group dynamics, value clarification, the development of vision, managing emotions in leadership situations, bargaining, and negotiation, and the relationship of personal growth to leadership roles and functions.
  • Leadership Development Lab II (SPA-362)
    • An advanced leadership development course that consists of structured and unstructured exercises designed to increase students’ understanding of leadership and the role leaders play in the public policy-making process.
  • Individual Freedom Vs Authority (GOVT-105)
    • The study of major philosophical discussions of the conflict between individual freedom and authority with analysis of the relation between this conflict and the problem of organizing a government
  • Writing for Communication (COMM-200)
    • A course stressing basic writing techniques for unique audiences. Intensive practice in writing for print, web, broadcast, public communication, and public service.
  • Politics in the U.S. (GOVT-110)
    • Study of major philosophical concepts that shaped government in the United States combined with an analysis of contemporary political institutions and behavior, focusing on the American governmental system.
  • Public Speaking (COMM-310)
    • Principles of effective speaking. Practice in preparing and presenting several types of public addresses.
  • Political Power & American Public Policy (GOVT-210)
    • This course offers an introduction to American public policy and written communication in political science. Students explore key questions about political power and public policy, learn the writing conventions of political science, and refine their written communication and information literacy skills. Through examination of the American public policymaking system and prominent issues in American public policy, as well as instruction on problem definition, issue analysis, and policy proposal, students come to understand how policy is made and how to participate effectively in the process.
  • Global Corporate Citizenship (MGMT-201)
    • Understanding the complexity of the business environment requires an understanding of business as a citizen. Certainly, a good business citizen obeys the law, but is that sufficient? Good business citizenship also requires participation in the social order and accepting and perpetuating common values. This course prepares students to be managers and leaders of businesses that practice good citizenship in the global economy.
  • Applied Political Writing (GOVT-443)
    • This course provides students with the writing skills necessary for success in political fields, from campaign politics to political journalism to Congressional offices and issue advocacy organizations. Each student develops a portfolio of writing samples that can be used in applying for positions and/or demonstrating skills and becomes familiar with the tools and techniques of expository and persuasive writing needed in the world of politics. The course emphasizes clarity and precision as well as the forms, substantive knowledge, and creativity important in political writing.
  • Justice and Public Policy (JLC-309)
    • Examines current basic national, state, and local policy issues that affect the definition of crime and shape public agency responses toward crime. The objective of the course is to sharpen and improve the student’s policy-oriented thinking about crime in a constitutional democracy and to develop a method to evaluate policy related to crime.
  • Introduction to Justice Research (JLC-280)
    • This course focuses on the scientific study of people and their interactions, in particular questions related to crime, justice, and political violence. Researching these topics in a rigorous way is difficult, but also uniquely interesting and exciting. The course gives students the tools to analyze and understand social science research (i.e., be a consumer of research). It also provides quantitative skills in game theory, probability, statistics, and programming to serve as a foundation for becoming a producer of social science research.
  • Political & Organizational Leadership (SPA-460)
    • Examines major theories and research in public leadership, with emphasis on American political and administrative institutions. Case studies of leaders and leadership in complex public organizations. The relative impact of personality and organizational factors in leadership development. Emphasis on students’ awareness of their own leadership style and development potential.
  • Violence, Justice, and the Law (JLC-454)
    • Emphasis on various ideologies and events that cause or reduce violence, such as social movements, depressions, war, and political repression.
  • CLEG Seminar (GOVT-489)
    • Selected topical issues cutting across the disciplines of communication, law, economics, and political science.