Curriculum Essentials

INVS3100: Multicultural Leadership: Theories, Principles and Practices

This course focuses on leadership theories and skills necessary for effectiveness in multicultural settings.  Students gain understanding of traditional and culturally diverse approaches to leadership and change through comparative analyses of western and non-western theories and practices.  Community service required.  Same as ETHN 3200.  Approved for Arts and Sciences core curriculum:  Cultural and Gender Diversity.  Recommended:  Upper-division status.

Method: Service Learning and Participatory Education

• Relate to daily life
• Do experiential activities
• Do collective activities
• Encourage critical thinking
• Provide student choice within structured options
• Be interactive
• Have guests and field trips
• Share personal stories
• Generate small group discussion
• Practice student facilitation
• Be creative

Essential Knowledge:

• Understand participatory education model
• Explore contributions of scholars and practitioners in the field of multicultural leadership
• Distinguish multicultural leadership as a paradigm within existing leadership theories and models
• Examine theories essential for successful leadership in settings where multicultural dynamics present unique challenges and opportunities
• Identify multicultural dynamics such as race and ethnicity, class, gender, ability status, and sexual orientation
• Comparatively analyze western and non-western leadership theories and practices

Essential Skills:

• Entering communities responsibly (includes doing one's homework, informational interviewing and committing)
• Exiting communities responsibly (includes appreciation, celebration, and evaluation)
• Critical analysis
• Reflection
• Public speaking and presenting
• Practices essential for successful leadership in settings where multicultural dynamics present unique challenges or opportunities
• Self-awareness and self-expression
• Community building
• Cross-cultural understanding
• Conflict resolution
• Collaborative or participatory decision-making
• Community organizing strategies and/or tactics

Essential Experiences:

• Community service with a community-based organization addressing issues relevant to a culturally diverse and pluralistic world
• Sense of community in class