Posted: March 11, 2026
Learn strong leadership, communication, and effective decision-making in organizations.
Students interested in leadership, meeting management, and organizational decision-making will have an opportunity to build those skills in AEE 216: Practical Parliamentary Procedure, a three-credit course offered during the Fall 2026 semester at Penn State. The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:05 to 1:20 p.m. in ASI 110.
The course is taught by Dr. Daniel D. Foster, Penn State Faculty Senate parliamentarian and a certified professional parliamentarian with multiple national organizations. Foster brings professional experience in parliamentary law and leadership development, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical applications of parliamentary procedure.
AEE 216 focuses on the rules and systems organizations use to conduct meetings, make decisions, and ensure fair participation among members. Students will explore the historical development of parliamentary procedure and how deliberative assemblies operate, including the rights of members and the hierarchy of governing documents such as bylaws. The course also examines the structure of meetings, the roles of presiding officers and secretaries, and common practices such as motions, debate, and voting procedures.
Throughout the semester, students will engage in hands-on learning experiences designed to simulate real organizational settings. Coursework includes demonstrations, digital storytelling projects, discussions, and quizzes that reinforce key concepts. These activities are designed to help students build confidence in leading meetings, presenting ideas, and navigating complex group decision-making processes.
Additional course modules focus on leadership within organizations, including nominations, elections, and the duties of officers and board members. Students will also learn how committees function and how they help organizations accomplish goals. The final portion of the course examines parliamentary procedure in broader society, including professional parliamentary organizations and youth leadership opportunities.
According to course materials, studying parliamentary procedure can strengthen leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills while preparing students for careers in fields such as politics, business, education, and law. The structured decision-making process used in parliamentary systems helps organizations operate efficiently while ensuring that all members have a voice in the discussion.
Students interested in learning how effective meetings and organizations operate can enroll in the course under class number 3969 for the Fall 2026 semester.
