Course Orientation
FES4023
Course Orientation
Welcome to the Course
Welcome to FES4023, a course focused on individual and organizational leadership ethics. The six key areas we will explore are Authentic Leadership, Honesty, Teamwork, Serving a Purpose, Organizational Behavior, and Bias. These topics are designed to challenge your thinking on leadership and ethics and are applicable to many leadership roles, whether you are currently serving in a fire and emergency services (FES) agency or a related field. Beside this paragraph, you will see the FESHE logo developed by the National Fire Academy. This logo symbolizes the professional development required to be successful in this field. The same level of professionalism and dedication is expected in this course.
In the first week, we will focus on introductions and preliminary work that will be helpful throughout the course. Consistent participation is key to your success. The more you engage, the greater the rewards. This course is not a traditional online class; it requires frequent check-ins to complete individual and group assignments. You will participate in online group discussions, shared document platforms, and creative projects with classmates. Your commitment will be to your own learning experience and to the members of your group.
Course Reserves
Certain course readings are only available via the "Course Reserves" link in the left-hand menu. You must create an Ares account and be logged into the UF VPN to access the reserves. Please see the Student Guide to Ares Links to an external site. for more information.
Key Course Elements
Course Objectives
- Assess various leadership approaches.
- Analyze values that are associated with good leaders.
- Develop well-crafted annotated bibliographies.
- Lead group discussions and summarize outcomes.
Orientation Module Objectives
- Locate key course policies and due dates.
- Create a personal introduction video.
Introduction Video
In the Orientation module, you will post a video introduction of yourself for the class. It should include details about your experience in fire and emergency services (FES) or related fields, your desired position or career path, and what you hope to learn from this course.
Leadership Paper
At the beginning of the term, you will explore three distinct leadership approaches using the provided weekly resources. After that, you will write an APA-formatted paper analyzing each leadership style's differences, advantages, and weaknesses in the context of FES organizations.
Weekly Group Projects
You and your classmates will be divided into small discussion groups with rotating roles (leader, scribe, and group members) to produce five weekly group projects. Each module's designated leader will schedule a Zoom conference to discuss the week's materials and their application to the module topic. The scribe will then compile the discussion into a written summary of about 5 pages in APA format.
Midterm Paper
The midterm assignment is designed to help you stay on track with your final written project. You will submit a short overview of your project topic and an annotated bibliography of at least five sources. Each entry in the bibliography should include an APA-format citation and a brief description of the source and its relevance to your topic.
Final Group Project (Presentation)
Your team will create a video, slide presentation, or another creative format that showcases your interpretation of a model FES leader. This project should be suitable as a training tool and encapsulate your group's understanding of what constitutes a model leader. This assignment reflects the culmination of your teamwork throughout the semester.
Final Written Project (Paper)
For your final written project, you will write a formal research paper addressing a current leadership issue and proposing strategies and solutions. You should describe a leadership or ethical topic covered in the course and explain its relevance to FES or your organization. This project will demonstrate your understanding of the course material and its application to leadership and ethics in our field.
| Week(s) | Module and Topic | Materials | Assignments |
| 1 | Module 0: Orientation | Syllabus and intro videos | Intro Video, Course Intro Quiz |
| 2 | Module 1: Authentic Leadership | Weekly readings and videos | Leadership Paper |
| 3-4 | Module 2: Honesty | Weekly readings and videos | Group Project 1 |
| 5-6 | Module 3: Teamwork | Weekly readings and videos | Group Project 2 |
| 7 | Module 4: Midterm Paper | Weekly readings and videos | Midterm Paper |
| 8 | Module 5: Serving a Purpose | Weekly readings and videos | Group Project 3 |
| 9-10 | Module 6: Organizational Behavior | Weekly readings and videos | Group Project 4 |
| 11-12 | Module 7: Bias | Weekly readings and videos | Group Project 5 |
| 13-14 | Module 8: Final Group Project | Weekly video | Final Group Project (presentation) |
| 15 | Module 9: Final Written Project | Weekly video | Final Written Project (paper) |
Late Submissions
- Up to 48 hours: 10% grade reduction
- Over 48 hours but less than 30 days: 20% grade reduction
- Over 30 days but before term's end: 50% grade reduction
It is your responsibility to keep your instructor informed at all times. The instructor does have the right under extenuating circumstances with proper notification to assist students by extending the above time requirements.
Make-Up Policy
You will be assigned to a small group for most of the coursework and must collaborate with your group to complete these assignments. If you anticipate being late on any written assignment, you must contact me in advance to receive credit.
Participation
Participation in group assignments is required. If you do not participate in a group assignment, zero points will be awarded.
Incomplete Grades
Please note that students with less than 75% of their work completed for the semester cannot earn an "I" contract. If you complete 75% of the work complete, you can propose an "I" contract to the instructor.
Grade Points
| Assignment | Points |
| Introduction Video | 10 |
| Weekly Group Projects (5) | 100 |
| Written Assignments (2) | 50 |
| Final Group Project (presentation) | 100 |
| Final Written Project (paper) | 100 |
| Total | 360 |
Grading Scale
| A = 93.0 to 100 | C = 73.0 to 76.9 |
| A- = 90.0 to 92.9 | C- = 70.0 to 72.9 |
| B+ = 87.0 to 89.9 | D+ = 67.0 to 69.9 |
| B = 83.0 to 86.9 | D = 63.0 to 66.9 |
| B- = 80.0 to 82.9 | D- = 60.0 to 62.9 |
| C+ = 77.0 to 79.9 | F = below 60.0 |
Information on current UF grading policies Links to an external site. for assigning grade points is available.
Every semester, students complete a midterm survey regarding the course's elements. This anonymous survey allows you to provide feedback on the course. Your feedback is essential to provide the best quality instruction and give you, the learner, the best learning experience. You are asked to give your honest opinion and share any advice to improve the course. You will be asked questions regarding the instructor's presence, lectures, assignment quality, etc.
Mid-Semester Survey
This survey will take place after Module 4 of the course. It is a prerequisite for Module 5 and requires completion before progressing in the course. You will be graded for your participation, not for your answers, as the survey is anonymous.
End-of-Semester Evaluation
You will be asked to complete the GatorEval for the course at the end of the term. Please complete the evaluation, as it helps the instructor make improvements and adjustments for upcoming semesters. It is anonymous and ungraded.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns about the course surveys.
About Dr. Mitterer
My experience in firefighting, EMS, and education spans over 39 years. As a lieutenant of a fire department (FD), an EMT, a paramedic, an EMS operations chief, and an educator, I have gained invaluable lessons that are incorporated into all of my classes. I have earned a master's degree in management from Penn State University's Smeal College of Business, a nursing degree from Excelsior University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University. I also hold the designations of Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM). I earned my Ph.D. in leadership and organizational change from Walden University.
I have many years of higher education experience guiding adult students through courses of study in topics such as finance, accreditation and auditing, technology application, and strategy development. I have also taught classes at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences and served as a faculty advisor for EMS at Franklin & Marshall College. I have been an adjunct professor for Lebanon Valley College's master's program and at Immaculata University, where I taught management, strategic planning, human resources, and research. I also taught in the paramedic program at Harrisburg Area Community College. Drawing on my extensive background and dedication to teaching, one of my goals this semester is to challenge you to think creatively about FES topics.
My professional affiliations include the American Society of Safety Engineers, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of EMS Educators, the National Association of EMTs, and the Institute for Behavioral and Applied Management.
Prepare for a Successful Semester
Take these steps:
Watch the Introduction Video.
Read the Syllabus.
Adjust Canvas Notification Preferences Links to an external site. to enable Canvas to send you an email directly.
Read the Student Guide to Course Reserves Links to an external site..
Review the instructor's Contact Information.
Read the Zoom Instructions.
Review the Research and Citation Resources.
View the Course Questions Forum (posting optional).
Create and post your Introduction Video.
Take the Course Introduction Quiz.
This video introduces you to the key course materials, assignments, and procedures. Watch it before beginning the rest of the course.
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