Exam Overview
The midterm exam assesses your understanding of Fullan’s frameworks for change leadership through analysis of authentic change scenarios. The exam is not a test of factual recall but rather of your ability to apply Fullan’s concepts to real-world situations.
Exam Format and Structure
Question 1: Analyzing Complexity and Change (150 points)
You will be presented with an authentic scenario depicting an organization attempting to implement change (SEE BELOW). The scenario will include information about the organization’s structure, culture, the change initiative, and people’s responses.
Your task is to:
- Identify the sources of complexity in this situation. What makes this change challenging? What factors are at play beyond simple technical problem-solving?
- Apply at least three concepts from Chapters 1–3 to analyze the situation. You should directly quote or paraphrase Fullan and explain how his frameworks help you understand what is happening.
- Analyze the role of relational trust in this scenario. How is trust (or lack of trust) affecting people’s response to the change? What does this reveal about the organization’s capacity to sustain change?
- Propose what leadership moves you would make at this juncture to strengthen the change effort. Ground your proposal in Fullan’s frameworks.
Question 2: Moral Purpose and Decision-Making (150 points)
You will be presented with a leadership decision or dilemma. The scenario will describe a situation where a leader must choose between competing priorities or pressures.
Your task is to:
- Identify the moral and practical tensions in this situation. What values or principles are in conflict?
- Analyze how moral purpose should inform this decision. Using Chapter 2, explain what Fullan’s framework suggests about how moral purpose functions in decision-making.
- Evaluate the implications of different choices. What would be gained and lost by each option? Who would benefit? Whose needs might be overlooked?
- Recommend a course of action grounded in moral purpose and supported by Fullan’s frameworks. Explain your reasoning.
Exam Quality Standards
Responses will be evaluated on:
- Depth of analysis: Moving beyond surface description to genuine examination of what is at stake and why
- Accurate application of Fullan’s frameworks: Direct engagement with Fullan’s ideas, with clear citation
- Evidence of integration: Connecting different concepts and showing how they illuminate the situation
- Practical wisdom: Demonstrating that you can apply theory to real-world contexts with nuance and sophistication
- Writing quality: Clear, grammatically correct, academically rigorous prose that demonstrates command of language