The Psychology of Leadership
The course covers both theoretical and practical aspects of leadership from a psychological perspective.
From a variety of starting points based on the psychological research literature, the course provides advanced knowledge of current issues relating to working life, such as the conditions of leadership and their effects for managers, employees and organisations. Issues regarding gender, ethnicity and social status will also be addressed in the course.
The course has a practical component where students will gather information from a specific context in order to highlight theories and research results in relation to a use case.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from your department
On this page you will shortly find information on registration, learning platform, etc.
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
From a variety of starting points based on the psychological research literature, the course provides advanced knowledge of current issues relating to working life, such as the conditions of leadership and their effects for managers, employees and organisations. Issues regarding gender, ethnicity and social status will also be addressed in the course.
The course has a practical component where students will gather information from a specific context in order to highlight theories and research results in relation to a use case.
Important information to students starting on the freestanding course
Mandatory web registration is open 10 December 2024 to 13 January 2025.
You register on the web by using Ladok for students, see links below. Log in with your University account.
Shortly after having registered you will gain access to the course sites in Athena, our learning platform.
If you need advice about your studies on master's level, contact our study councellor, study-master@psychology.su.se
Sone useful links
Activate your University account (if you have not done it already)
Get started with the e-meeting service Zoom
Schedules (search with your course code or log in with your University accoount to see all your schedules in one go. Especially useful if you have not gained access to your new Athena sites yet.)
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Course structure
As a registered student on this course you will find detailed course information and communication in the learning platform Athena. Login with your university account.
This course will be given in the second half of the spring semester, half-time studies.
Course syllabus
The Psychology of Leadership, 7,5 credits, spring 2024 (285 Kb)
Teaching format
Instruction is given in the form of lectures and seminars.
Course requirements/Mandatory components:
- Written assignments for the seminars. The assignments should be submitted before the seminar, within the prescribed time limit.
- Written submission of discussion questions relating to the course reading for the seminars. The questions should be submitted before the seminar, within the prescribed time limit.
- Oral presentation of a written final assignment at the final seminar.
- Review of another student’s assignment at the final seminar.
- Seminar attendance is mandatory. For approved seminar attendance, the assignments must be submitted on time.
The language of instruction is English.
For more detailed information, please refer to the course syllabus.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- understand, analyse and critically review the meaning, conditions and effects of leadership in organisations from a theoretical and practical psychological perspective;
- independently define relevant questions that highlight practical aspects of leadership from a psychological perspective;
- assess, review critically, present orally, and provide feedback on scholarly works on leadership.
Assessment
The course is examined on the basis of individual written assignments in the form of analyses of case descriptions and an essay, as well as an oral presentation using slideshow software.
Examination will be conducted in English and/or Swedish according to the course teacher’s instructions.
Examiner
Course leaders: Johnny Hellgren, jhn@psychology.su.se, and Magnus Sverke, magnus.sverke@psychology.su.se
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
A complete list of course readings is found in the course syllabus.
The list is subject to change until two months prior to the start of the course. In case the new course syllabus is missing on this page by then, please check with the course leader before you buy any expensive books etc.
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Course reports
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More information
This course is compulsory for the Master's programme in Personnel, Work, and Organisation, 120 credits, and optional with restricted admission on International two-year master’s program in psychology, 120 credits.
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Contact
Registered students should primarily use Athena for teacher communication.
To contact the Student office or a Student Councellor, see below.
Student office - Master's levelMadeleine ArnwaldStudy Councellor and Student Administrator
Study councellor - Master's level
