An Exploratory Study on Leadership and Liberal Arts Education using “Followership” Programs －Case of Approaching a Non-subject Educational Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to confirm the necessity of linking “followership” research and educational trends with leadership education in liberal arts education, and to contribute to future education and research direction through followership programs and the operation of non-subject educational programs. In order to solve the research issue, first, previous studies that can confirm the connection between followership and leadership through literature research were examined. In addition, followership competency items verified by experts were collected and used as the basis for analysis, and in-depth interviews were additionally conducted with students participating in leadership and liberal arts classes to add potential necessary competencies. The research results are as follows: First, we confirmed that followership programs can serve to complement leadership education and are already sufficiently active in university education. Second, we were able to confirm five followership competencies that K university students thought were of primary necessity. Third, we found that followership-related programs can have a positive effect on enhancing the core competencies of leadership and liberal arts subjects. Fourth, we realized the keen necessity of adding additional non-subject educational program support in various fields that can incorporate followership programs. Lastly, we learned of the need to apply various research methods to graduates and enrolled students in order to spread the educational effectiveness of followership programs in liberal arts education, and suggested that followership-related non-subject educational programs should be fully considered and operated in the future.