| There were five major underlying assumptions for conducting this case study on an undergraduate ethical leadership program. Those assumptions were (a) the need to examine the practical use of curriculum used in leadership programs, (b) the need for additional exploration of leadership programs reflective of ethical leadership approaches, (c) the need for examining leadership programs influenced by outstanding leaders during our country's most racially oppressed periods, (d) the need for exploring predominantly African American academic institutions influenced by an ethical leadership program and, (e) the need for additional research on leadership development conducted by African American scholars. This case study design used orientational qualitative fieldwork with a critical theory approach to inquiry. Critical theory provides a framework, both philosophical and methodological, for approaching research and evaluation as fundamentally and explicitly political, and as change-oriented forms of engagement. In conducting this fieldwork, the researcher compared and contrasted findings and pre-established theoretical guidelines with other findings and theories in the literature.;The results of this study developed common themes in three major categories; effective leadership development, holistic approach and overcoming barriers. Sampling of themes for effective leadership development consisted of encouraging critical thinking, promoting team building, broadening international awareness and viewing leadership scientifically. Sampling of themes for holistic approach consisted of strong spiritual focus, mental discipline, positive life changing and empathy. Lastly, the sampling of themes on overcoming barriers explored factors combating racism, language, stigmatism and negative stereotyping. The resulting themes consisted of the significance of the civil rights movement, leadership reflective of the positive habits and practices of individuals, culturally embedded leadership and strength in contributing to academic research.;In summary, this study provided insight into an ethical leadership approach grounded in epistemology, hermeneutics and axiology in relationship to existing theoretical approaches and leadership programs. This study also provided additional insight into a leadership development model addressing societal issues based on three distinct biases: (a) Bias one---racism, (b) bias two---interpretative analysis, and (c) bias three---religious perception. Models employing the concepts of community, character, and civility represented some of the most important approaches. |
