BUSI 503 is Liberty's MBA course in leadership theory. Its written work is two forums (a 300-word thread with two citations and a 200-word reply), a group case study paper of 2,500 words with 10 sources and its collaboration forum, four case study response forums, four 300-word leadership profiles, two 350 to 400-word leadership journal entries, and a 2,000-word research paper applying the course's theories to a leader from the Bible.
Liberty's catalog lists the course as BUSI 503 Leadership Theory, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as BUSI503.
What BUSI 503 covers
The catalog description: This course broadly surveys the body of leadership literature with heavy emphasis on the major practical theories. All leadership theories are evaluated in the light of biblical reasoning.
The course surveys the body of leadership literature with heavy emphasis on the major practical theories, evaluating every theory in the light of biblical reasoning. The texts are Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, and Kouzes and Posner, The Leadership Challenge.
Two quizzes (100 points) have no guide here. Weeks 1 to 7 run Monday to Sunday; Week 8 ends Friday.
Textbook named in the published guide: Kouzes & Posner, The Leadership Challenge (2017). Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice (2019). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
BUSI 503 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 50 | Thread at least 300 words; reply at least 200 words |
| 1 | Leadership Profile 1 | 40 | At least 300 words |
| 2 | Group Case Study Collaboration Forum | 20 | At least 5 posts per student, together at least 200 words |
| 2 | Leadership Journal 1 | 40 | 350 to 400 words |
| 3 | Group Case Study Paper | 160 | 2,500 words |
| 3 | Leadership Profile 2 | 40 | At least 300 words |
| 4 | Case Study Response Forum 1 | 50 | Responses at least 300 words; replies at least 200 words |
| 4 | Leadership Profile 3 | 40 | At least 300 words |
| 5 | Case Study Response Forum 2 | 50 | Responses at least 300 words; replies at least 200 words |
| 5 | Leadership Profile 4 | 40 | At least 300 words |
| 6 | Case Study Response Forum 3 | 50 | Responses at least 300 words; replies at least 200 words |
| 7 | Case Study Response Forum 4 | 50 | Responses at least 300 words; replies at least 200 words |
| 7 | Research Paper: Leaders from the Bible | 180 | At least 2,000 words |
| 8 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 50 | Thread at least 300 words; reply at least 200 words |
| 8 | Leadership Journal 2 | 40 | 350 to 400 words |
Week 1: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 300-word thread with 2 APA citations, then a 200-word reply with 1 citation. How to write BUSI 503 Week 1 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 1: Leadership Profile 1
Complete the assigned questionnaires, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and write an action plan in at least 300 words. How to write BUSI 503 Week 1 Leadership Profile 1.
Week 2: Group Case Study Collaboration Forum
Work with your group in its forum to plan and draft the case study paper: at least 5 substantive posts totaling at least 200 words. How to write BUSI 503 Week 2 Group Case Study Collaboration Forum.
Week 2: Leadership Journal 1
A 350 to 400-word journal entry answering the assigned questions with explanations and examples. How to write BUSI 503 Week 2 Leadership Journal 1.
Week 3: Group Case Study Paper
A 2,500-word group case study paper on your assigned leadership topic, with 10 sources plus the textbooks and the Bible. How to write BUSI 503 Week 3 Group Case Study Paper.
Week 3: Leadership Profile 2
The second leadership profile: questionnaires, strengths and weaknesses, and an action plan in at least 300 words. How to write BUSI 503 Week 3 Leadership Profile 2.
Week 4: Case Study Response Forum 1
A 300-word response with 2 citations to another group's case study paper, plus replies of 200 words in your own group's forum. How to write BUSI 503 Week 4 Case Study Response Forum 1.
Week 4: Leadership Profile 3
The third leadership profile: questionnaires, strengths and weaknesses, and an action plan. How to write BUSI 503 Week 4 Leadership Profile 3.
Week 5: Case Study Response Forum 2
A 300-word response with 2 citations to another group's case study paper, plus replies in your own group's forum. How to write BUSI 503 Week 5 Case Study Response Forum 2.
Week 5: Leadership Profile 4
The fourth leadership profile: questionnaires, strengths and weaknesses, and an action plan. How to write BUSI 503 Week 5 Leadership Profile 4.
Week 6: Case Study Response Forum 3
A 300-word response with 2 citations to another group's case study paper, plus replies in your own group's forum. How to write BUSI 503 Week 6 Case Study Response Forum 3.
Week 7: Case Study Response Forum 4
A 300-word response with 2 citations to another group's case study paper, plus replies in your own group's forum. How to write BUSI 503 Week 7 Case Study Response Forum 4.
Week 7: Research Paper: Leaders from the Bible
A 2,000-word research paper applying the course's leadership theories to a leader from the Bible, with 8 references plus the textbooks and the Bible. How to write BUSI 503 Week 7 Research Paper: Leaders from the Bible.
Week 8: Discussion Board Forum 2
A 300-word thread with 2 citations, then a 200-word reply with 1 citation. How to write BUSI 503 Week 8 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 8: Leadership Journal 2
The second 350 to 400-word journal entry with explanations and examples. How to write BUSI 503 Week 8 Leadership Journal 2.
How BUSI 503 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The two forums are 50 each, the collaboration forum 20, the four response forums 50 each (200), the group case study paper 160, the four leadership profiles 40 each (160), the two journal entries 40 each (80), the research paper 180, quizzes 100 and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Board Forums (2) | 100 |
| Group Case Study Collaboration Forum | 20 |
| Case Study Response Forums (4) | 200 |
| Group Case Study Paper | 160 |
| Leadership Profiles (4) | 160 |
| Leadership Journal (2) | 80 |
| Research Paper Leaders from the Bible | 180 |
| Quizzes (2) | 100 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 940 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Module/Week 1-7 begins on Monday and ends on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Modules/Week 8 begin on Monday and end at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach BUSI 503
Your group's case study paper is due in Week 3, so use the collaboration forum in Week 2 to assign sections immediately.
Choose your biblical leader for the Week 7 research paper early and read Northouse's theories with that person in mind.
Questions students ask
What is the BUSI 503 group case study paper?
A 2,500-word research-based paper in current APA on the group's assigned leadership topic, with at least 10 sources plus the textbooks and the Bible, submitted through SafeAssign and posted to the case study response forum.
What is the BUSI 503 Leaders from the Bible paper?
A research-based paper of at least 2,000 words in current APA applying the course's leadership theories to a leader from the Bible, with at least 8 references plus the textbooks and the Bible.
Working through BUSI 503 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.