Transformative Leadership

Catalog description

Taught by PSR. PROPHET, HERETIC, AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR Social entrepreneurship is a rapidly developing and changing field, which in many ways both builds upon and poses crucial challenges to older styles and strategies of religious and spiritual leadership. This course is designed to provide participants with a basic overview of theories and practices of social entrepreneurship as well the opportunity to critically reflect on the benefits and limitations of this particular model of leadership in working towards for the common good. A central question to be explored throughout the course will be: What can spiritual/religious/theological values can contribute to the practice of social entrepreneurship and the quest for a more just,inclusive, and equitable world. This course will be taught in a seminar format, which means that class participants will be expected to take increased responsibility for preparing for class discussions, co-designing the course experience, and leading class activities. Additionally, engagement with external experts will be a major component of this course. Class participants will be exposed to these external experts in the classroom through guest-lectures, viewing online videos, and completing assigned readings. Outside of the classroom, students will be expected to identify and conduct a one-on-one interview with a social entrepreneur of their choosing, who may continue to serve as a mentor after the course has ended. This course is required for all those enrolled in PSR's Certificate of Spirituality and Social Change. This ONLINE course meets asynchronously using Moodle (http://gtu.edu/library/students/moodle-help). High-speed internet connection required. (Occasional synchronous class meetings may be scheduled; see syllabus for details.)