NYU Wagner

Research Center for leadership in Action

undergraduate course

the meaning of leadership


Developed and taught by Frances Kunreuther, RCLA Senior Fellow

In this undergraduate course, taught by RCLA Senior Fellow Frances Kunreuther, students examine the meaning of leadership by looking at the impact of history, culture, and circumstance on how we define and identify leadership. Students study different models of leadership, hear presentations from leaders in business, nonprofits, and government, and examine their own leadership styles. Over the course of the semester, they become familiar with the different ways that leadership is viewed, and develop the skills to critically examine different leadership styles in others and in themselves. They leave with exposure to ideas of the types of leaders that will be needed in the U.S. and in the global arena over the next decades.

Click here to download the syllabus.

NYU.edu