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Course Descriptions

LDSP 1000-Fundamentals of 21st Century Leadership-3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the theoretical, cultural and ethical dimensions of leadership and its application to social issues of our time. The course is designed to provide students with an academic knowledge of leadership, a set of leadership competencies and serve as a lab for active dialogue and experimentation in a range of leadership situations. Students will:

• Develop an understanding of leadership theories and perspectives and apply various modes of inquiry from multiple disciplines to the study and practice of leadership
• Demonstrate understanding of oneself and others in a larger socio/cultural/historical context, and describe how values and beliefs impact leadership
• Craft a personal philosophy of leadership and followership
• Examine, evaluate and apply ethics, integrity and character to the reality and challenges of today’s world
• Recognize the influence of culture on leadership practice and develop culturally competent leadership skills.

This course is required for students working towards a leadership certificate.
Approved for: arts and science ideals and values core requirement.

LDSP 2400-Understanding Privilege and Oppression in Contemporary Society-3 credit hours

Leaders in today’s world confront a variety of social justice issues. To be effective, they must understand how privilege and oppression operate in US society. Students will explore the social construction of dominant western worldview and question it as the sole arbiter of meaning and reality and illuminate the ways in which hierarchies of power, i.e. ideological, political and economic, determine and shape human experience. Students will:

• Learn and apply critical liberation theory to various issues introduced in the course.
• Understand why they think what they think about race, class, gender, ability and sexual orientation.
• Be familiar with the theories and research that inform the development of social identity. In addition students will explain how socialization shape values, feelings, attitudes and behaviors in regards to race, class, gender and sexual orientation.
• Develop critical consciousness, which will inform their understanding of and practice of leadership.

This course is required for ELLC students working towards a leadership certificate.
Approved for: arts and sciences cultural and gender diversity and the contemporary societies core requirements

EDUC 2910-ELLC Practicum-1credit hour

Students will gather once a week in this 90 minute class to interact with one another and share their experiences, perspectives, thoughts and ideas as they work toward building and sustaining community and practicing cultulrally competent leadership within a multicultural setting. Students will be challenged to step outside of their comfort zones and explore their beliefs, values and socialized ways of being around race, culture, gender and difference. Throughout the year the practicum will incorporate learning from the two leadership classes, Foundations of 21st Century Leadership and Understanding Privilege and Oppression in Contemporary Society.
This course is an elective

LDSP 1561-Compassionate Leadership and Mindfulness-1 credit hour

Explores various practices and traditions that lead to a balanced, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual life critical to the practice of effective leadership. This course is an elective and meets requirements for the leadership certificate. It may be repeated for up to 3 total credit hours.

LDSP 1571-Topics in Leadership- 1 credit hour

Examines the complex nature of leadership by applying knowledge and practice to contemporary and social issues. This class meets requirments for the Leadership Certificate, it is an elective and may be repeated for up to 3 total credit hours.

LDSP 3100-Multicultural Leadership: Theories, Principles and Practices-3 credit hours

This course focuses on the study of the theoretical and practical competence for leadership in culturally diverse environments.  It builds on concepts from LDSP 2400 and explores social and environmental change from a multi-disciplinary perspective, drawing from ethnic studies, psychology, education, history and sociology.  Students will study culturally rooted meanings of leadership and examine cultural and social identity as a context for leadership, resistance and liberation. Further, students will consider the formation of the classifications of race, class, gender and sexual orientation as interlocking systems of power and oppression.

This course is required for ELLC students working towards a leadership certificate. Prerequisites: LDSP 1000 and LDSP 2400.
Approved for: arts and sciences core curriculum cultural and gender diversity.

LDSP 4010-Critical Issues in Leadership-4 credit hours

Critical thinking is fundamental to leadership competency. Leaders must have skill at making judgment and collecting information from a variety of sources and on topics in which they have limited expertise. Students read, discuss, and write critical evaluations of contemporary leadership theory from an ethical, military, community building, and business perspective. Prerequisites a minimum of 11 credit hours towards the Leadership Certificate completed including LDSP 3100.
Approved for: arts and sciences core curriculum critical thinking requirement