Each Themed Pathway is grounded in the principles of Leadership development. Residential programming will complement academic, co-curricular, and thematic learning outcomes over the full year through intentional partnerships among faculty and staff professionals. These courses, for first-year students only, will also serve as an elective in the Leadership minor.
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LEAD Themes
These courses provide an introduction and opportunity for you to transition to university life, as you discover the resources available (academic, co-curricular, community). You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens. This subject of this course is you. It is intentionally designed to promote your self-awareness and personal success—in college and in life after college—by empowering you with flexible skills and strategies that are applicable across subjects (transferable, cross-disciplinary skills) and across time (durable, life-long, learning skills).
Lead 140: Introduction to Leadership I
80200 LEAD 140 01
80201 LEAD 140 02
This course, as part of the Freshman Leadership Institute and the Leadership Minor in the Center for Leadership will offer a brief introduction to widely known leadership theories using an inter-disciplinary model. Students will have the opportunity to learn more of themselves and their peers through activities with a focus on topics such as communication, group theory, diversity, team building, technology, individual personalities, conflict management, and many more. Only students that have applied and have been accepted into the Freshman Leadership Institute are eligible to take this class.
*Prerequisite – acceptance into the Freshman Leadership Institute **Instructor Approval.
LEAD 150: Band of Brothers
82608 LEAD 150 01
82609 LEAD 150 02
82610 LEAD 150 03
You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of masculinity. You will explore opportunities to express emotion in an appropriate manner and in a setting where individuals rely on one another for support towards reaching and utilizing their full potential. There will be opportunities to begin raising awareness of men's issues among others in the campus community and explore the bonds that are created between men. 
LEAD 151 Secrets of Powerful Women: Leading Change for a New Generation
82600 LEAD 151 01
82601 LEAD 151 02
This class focuses on the bonds that are created between female friends. You will examine the role of and issues for women in leadership within the context of the individual, group affiliations, and communities including the global community. You will examine how individuals and cultures measure success as it pertains to women and how an individual can define her own measures of success. You will examine questions surrounding what it means to be a successful woman in the new millennium: what a successful woman looks like; how she acts; and the role the media plays in these definitions.
LEAD 152 Going Green: Leadership and Environmental Responsibility
82602 LEAD 152 01
You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of sustainability, as you examine concepts of sustainable development and global climate change. You will examine the ecological and economical benefits of conserving energy; examine methods on how to reduce energy consumption; and have a positive impact on long term energy consumption habits of our university community. You will examine the Social Change Model of Leadership Development within the context of energy consumption and how it affects the economy, environment and our overall footprint on the Earth.
LEAD 153 Global Awareness & Citizenship: Leadership from a Global Perspective
82603 LEAD 153 01
You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of personal development and campus engagement and will focus around the concepts of leadership as it relates to a global setting. This course is designed to incorporate college success topics with a global perspective and multi-cultural awareness. It encourages participation in a context of cross-cultural acceptance and adaptability focused on personal growth combined with the acquisition of leadership skills and self-directed knowledge. Among other topics, the course will explore the concept of the Hero’s Journey to the college experience as it relates to integrating international learning into your academic and career goals.
LEAD 154 A Healthier U: Leadership and Wellness
82604 LEAD 154 01
This class will explore Western from a wellness perspective, as you explore the skills necessary to build a lifestyle of balance and healthy living. Through self-discovery and campus exploration you will realize the internal and external tools essential for developing a lifestyle of balance, growth, and success. You will examine the concept of health from a holistic perspective – in other words, how do environmental and social and cultural factors impact physical well-being. You will consider your role among peers to advocate for healthy habits and wellness.
LEAD 155 Project Care: African-American Leadership
82606 LEAD 155 01
You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of African-American student populations. You will discuss issues involved in the transition from high school to college and what it means to attend a predominantly white university. You will explore how society defines human and group differences, including race, ethnicity, religious backgrounds, sexual orientation, and national origins; you will examine diversity and ethical considerations within the context of your role as a student and leader; and you will explore the many ways to value and appreciate different ethnic and cultural groups in society.
LEAD 156 Cultural Competency and Social Action: Leadership in Diversity & Social justice
82607 LEAD 156 01
In this course you will be challenged to look at the world through different eyes and think critically about differences you see. You will delve into issues of diversity, civic engagement, globalization and personal responsibility with results that are sometimes surprising, often controversial, but never boring! You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of cultural competency and social justice. You will explore and celebrate the rich diversity of our culture and our world. You will examine how to deal with complex issues from a position of strength, as you find your own voice and become empowered to lead and serve.
LEAD 157 Digital Culture: Leadership and Technology
82612 LEAD 157 01
You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of technology and social media. You will examine the impact and use of technology within the context of learning, both in and out of the classroom and the ways in which digital technology has changed how individuals create, communicate and interact. You will examine responsible use of technology as it relates to academic and personal integrity, and the ways in which digital technology has informed and influenced social interaction, culture, social issues, and identity.
LEAD 158 The Creative Life: Leadership and the Arts
82611 LEAD 158 01
You will examine the principles of leadership through the thematic lens of the arts. You will explore the diversity of arts opportunities available on campus – as a participant and as witness. You will explore the various methods by which to express and communicate with the arts: as a collaborative process and as an individual. You will examine how the arts inform and are informed by social, cultural, and personal stories, as you examine the impact the arts have on the human condition and how to harness that power to communicate effectively and responsibly within the context of leadership and advocacy.