Full course description
$300
October 26 - November 30, 2026
Earn a Badge
Course Overview
What makes an effective leader? Is leadership shaped by personality, values, circumstances or culture? And how do different leadership approaches influence the decisions people make and the impact they have on others?
In this course, you'll explore foundational leadership theories and examine how those theories appear in the lives of prominent leaders from politics, science, social advocacy and the arts. Through a series of films, guided discussions and reflective activities, you'll move beyond abstract concepts and see leadership in action.
Live Zoom discussions will take place weekly, on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM, CST.
*Zoom link will be provided within the course.
Who Should Enroll
This course is designed for individuals who want to deepen their understanding of leadership and explore how leadership concepts apply in real-world situations.
You may benefit from this course if you:
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- Lead people, projects or initiatives
- Want to strengthen your leadership knowledge and skills
- Are preparing for greater leadership responsibilities
- Enjoy learning through stories, reflection and discussion
- Are interested in ethics, culture and diverse leadership perspectives
- Want practical ways to connect leadership theory to everyday challenges
No prior leadership coursework or film studies experience is required.
Course Instructor
Jim Martin, PhD
Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Leadership EdD
Creighton University
James R. Martin, PhD is an associate professor in Creighton University’s Doctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Leadership. A former media executive and entrepreneur, he brings more than 25 years of experience in leadership, communications and digital media. Dr. Martin teaches doctoral research and writing, advises doctoral students and researches elections, political systems and online learning. He is a published scholar, conference presenter, author and creator of leadership and global politics content across YouTube and Substack.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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- Explain leadership theories and approaches
- Analyze leadership behaviors through multiple theoretical frameworks
- Evaluate how values, culture and context influence leadership decisions
- Identify leadership strengths and limitations demonstrated by influential leaders
- Compare traditional and alternative leadership approaches
- Reflect on your own leadership philosophy and development
- Explain leadership theories and approaches
Featured Leaders and Films
Participants will view documentaries featuring leaders whose work spans a variety of fields and leadership contexts.
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- Robert S. McNamara (The Fog of War)
- Jon Batiste (American Symphony)
- Jacinda Ardern (Prime Minister)
- Hannah Arendt (Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny)
- Jane Goodall (Famous Last Words: Dr. Jane Goodall)
- Fred Rogers (Won't You Be My Neighbor?)
These diverse leaders offer valuable lessons in ethics, influence, resilience, communication and service.
FAQ
How is this course structured?
This course is 100% online and takes place over six weeks. Learners secure and watch each film independently before participating in a weekly, synchronous, online discussion. The course concludes with a short reflective paper examining how your understanding of leadership has changed and how you might apply those insights moving forward.
Do I need leadership or management experience?
No. The course is designed for learners at a variety of experience levels. Whether you currently lead a team or are simply interested in strengthening your leadership knowledge, you'll find value in the content and discussions.
Do I need prior knowledge of leadership theory?
No. The course introduces key leadership theories and provides the context needed to understand and apply them.
Do I watch the films during class sessions?
No. Participants watch the documentaries independently as part of each module and then engage in guided discussion and reflection.
How much time should I plan for each week?
Most participants should expect to spend approximately three hours per week completing course activities, including documentary viewing, readings and discussion participation.
Is access to the films included in the registration fee?
No. Participants are responsible for securing access to each film. Availability and viewing costs may vary by platform.
Are the discussions live?
Yes. The course includes six live online discussions facilitated by the instructor.
Do I need prior knowledge of film analysis?
No. The course focuses on leadership development rather than technical film analysis. The instructor will guide discussions and help participants connect insights from each film to professional leadership challenges.
Do you offer tuition assistance?
We do not offer tuition assistance for lifelong learning courses or certificates. However, Creighton alumni, faculty, staff and eligible partner employees, along with their spouses and dependents, may qualify for a 15% discount. One discount per offering. Other restrictions may apply. Learn more.