Despite more women in the corporate workforce, they hold fewer than 15 per cent of executive officer positions at Fortune 500 companies and account for just 3.6 per cent of CEOs. Second-generation forms of subtle gender bias favour men for top leadership positions and create structural career blocks for women. A new approach to women’s leadership development must help participants internalise a leader identity and create an elevated sense of purpose (Ely, 2012).
Purpose of the course
Participants will learn to use, integrate, and practically apply a solid, well-rounded and systematic knowledge base of key terms, principles and theories, and master the application of research methods, techniques and technologies appropriate in the field of self-management, organisational behaviour, diversity, conflict and change management and leadership to analyse case studies and/or undertake research and write up a research report and/or company project. They will have the ability to effectively select and apply central procedures, operations and techniques, understand and use the central methods of enquiry and research and communicate findings and own ideas and opinions in well-structured arguments using academic discourse appropriate to the field of self-management, organisational behaviour, diversity, conflict and change management, as well as leadership. They will gain knowledge on information retrieval skills to undertake a study of the literature and current research in the field of self-management, organisational behaviour, diversity, conflict and change management as well as leadership; and operate effectively individually as well as a group member using breakthrough thinking and polarity management to solve problems and manage polarities (dilemmas), and provide an overview of current and future leadership and gender issues and polarities globally, but specifically in South Africa.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification and a post-NCS qualification (Diploma, Certificate or B Degree)
Learning assumed to be in place
English language proficiency and basic computer literacy.
Course outcomes and assessment criteria
Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria
Study Unit |
Outcomes |
Assessment Criteria |
| Module 1: Self-awareness and intrapersonal skills |
Demonstrate integrated and critical knowledge of concepts, principles and theories related to self‑awareness, self‑acceptance, self‑realisation and intrapersonal functioning. |
Remember and differentiate concepts and principles related to self‑awareness, self‑acceptance, self‑realisation, attitudes, self‑disclosure and emotional intelligence, and apply them to solve self‑management problems at work |
| Module 2: Motivation and interpersonal skills |
Demonstrate integrated and critical knowledge of theories and principles of motivation, group dynamics, team functioning and decision‑making in work contexts. |
Remember and differentiate concepts and theories regarding motivation, people‑centred organisations, group dynamics, teams and decision‑making, and apply them to analyse and address interpersonal challenges at work. |
| Module 3: Conflict management |
Demonstrate integrated and critical knowledge of conflict management, cultural intelligence, organisational culture, assertiveness and polarity management. |
Remember and differentiate core ideas in conflict management, CQ, organisational culture, assertiveness and polarity management, analyse causes of conflict, and apply appropriate models and techniques to resolve workplace conflict. |
| Module 4: Communication | Demonstrate integrated and critical knowledge of personal and organisational communication, communication styles, the information age and facilitation in workplace settings. | Remember and differentiate concepts related to personal and organisational communication, gender differences in communication styles, communication in the information age and facilitation, and apply effective communication and facilitation strategies in work situations. |
| Module 5: Change management | Demonstrate integrated and critical knowledge of change management and organisational development, including resistance to change, change models and implementation of change. | Remember and differentiate concepts and models of change management, organisational diagnosis and resistance to change, analyse change challenges, and apply appropriate change principles and models to plan and implement organisational change. |
| Module 6: Diversity management | Demonstrate integrated and critical knowledge of diversity management, diversity management models, gender and organisational change, with a focus on challenges faced by women in male‑dominated industries and leadership positions. | Remember and differentiate concepts and models of diversity management, gender and organisational change, barriers faced by women and diversity interventions; analyse diversity‑related issues and recommend strategic diversity management and gender‑mainstreaming approaches. |
Assessment
The course uses both formative and summative assessment across all six modules. Participants complete ongoing activities during the module and then a more formal assessment that contributes to the final mark.
Method of assessment
Self‑assessments per study unit: multiple‑choice questions, self‑reflection exercises, journal entries, short content‑knowledge questions, surveys and opinion polls.
Formative assessments per module: a 100‑mark question paper assessing ability to retrieve knowledge, apply models, give advice and reflect on module content.
Final assessment structure: participation mark (from assignments and activities) counts 40%, final reflective assignment or life‑journey/portfolio counts 60%; participants need at least 50% overall and at least 40% in the final reflective assignment to pass each module.
Formative assessments per module: a 100‑mark question paper assessing ability to retrieve knowledge, apply models, give advice and reflect on module content.
Final assessment structure: participation mark (from assignments and activities) counts 40%, final reflective assignment or life‑journey/portfolio counts 60%; participants need at least 50% overall and at least 40% in the final reflective assignment to pass each module.
Additional information
Programme number
H72 100 1
Mode of delivery
Mixed
Target group
The target group is women in leadership or senior positions, as well as women who are ready to be promoted into senior positions.
Duration
12 months
Contact us
Contact person name
Omphemetse Mmekoa
Contact person e-mail
Omphemetse.Mmekoa@nwu.ac.za
Contact person telephone number