A Call to Lead
Course Description
(2 credits per semester, 4 credits total)
In this introductory leadership course, students will examine the theory of social change leadership from three perspectives:
- The Individual - Students will explore their personal talents, values, and interests and identify how these characteristics support group functioning.
- The Group - Students will participate in group activities to further develop their personal talents and abilities as leaders.
- The Community - Students collectively will address a social need through service activities in the spring semester.
From these perspectives, students will deepen their understanding of themselves and their communities, cultivate their strengths, and utilize their talents to serve humanity. The course is taught over two semesters, allowing students the time to fully explore leadership theory and develop personal leadership abilities. This class is designed to be an experiential journey through personal leadership development. During the spring semester, students have volunteered at the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation in South Dakota to build a ropes course facility. Preference is given to incoming undergraduate students.
Course Goals and Objectives
By participating in the first semester of "A Call to Lead" students will:
Study the theoretical and phiphilosophical foundations of leadership and learn to value and effectively practice different leadership styles and skills.
- Students will explore the evolution of leadership theory and learn about traditional and alternative leadership theories and styles.
Deepen their understanding of the Social Change Model of Leadership and enhance their ability to apply the 8 C’s to their work as leaders.
- Students will apply the Social Change Model through research, design, and implementation of a community service project.
Explore the complexity of social problems and their resolution.
- Students will investigate and critically reflect upon the issue being addressed by their community service project.
Develop their communication skills.
- Students will receive speech communication training and will give one small group and one individual oral presentation.
Clarify their personal values and explore the role of ethics in leadership.
- Students will participate in values clarification exercises and simulations that require reflection on concepts such as integrity, congruence, and accountability.
Explore and develop their sense of self as leaders.
- Students will interact with campus and community leaders, receive feedback from instructors and peers about their strengths and areas for growth, read and reflect upon The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and create a presentation that captures their identity as leaders.
Increase their ability to work effectively in both individual and team contexts to accomplish progress.
- Students will explore concepts such as personality, group dynamics, decision-making, risk taking, power, and humor as they relate to effective organizational behavior.
- Students will participate in two projects designed to highlight the gifts and challenges of working in groups.