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Paul Arntson

Professor Paul Arntson received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin in Communication Arts. In 1974 Arntson joined Northwestern’s Communication Studies Department, where he served as the chair for six years.  He is the founder of the Undergraduate Leadership Program at Northwestern University and co-founder of the MSC Program. Arntson teaches Leadership and Decision-Making courses in the undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs. Arntson is on the faculty of the Asset Based Community Development Institute with the Institute for Policy Research and a Fellow at the Center for Communication and Medicine with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Arntson’s research includes understanding communities, civic responsibility, and the connections between organizations. He has conducted research and training programs in British, Australian, and American primary care contexts, with self-help groups, and with neighborhood associations in order to improve citizens’ decision-making competencies concerning their health and the well-being of their communities. He publishes in communication and medical journals. He previously held the Van Zelt Chair in Communication Research and the first Alumnae of Northwestern Teaching Professorship.

Course

Leadership & Decision Making

This course investigates how individuals influence group decisions. Students are video- taped in decision-making interactions in order to assess and improve their leadership and analytical thinking skills in groups.