Course Description
Applied learning on the importance of developing cultural competence to lead teams in a global context. Social identity, cultural intelligence, and leadership approaches for inclusion will be explored in team, organizational, and community settings. Through participation in an approved study abroad program, students will explore how to identify social identity triggers that lead to unproductive behaviors and implement strategies that leverage the unique talents of team members to address global issues.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional advanced readings (journal articles) for each topic and leading a small discussion group of 2-3 undergraduate students through the units.
Athena Title
Leading Across Differences
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Graduate student standing
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to evaluate prominent theories of global leadership.
- Students will be able to describe the elements of culture and how they influence leadership styles.
- Students will be able to deconstruct subtle differences between diversity and multiculturalism.
- Students will be able to adapt leadership and communication style to different cultural contexts.
- Students will be able to deconstruct the cultural influences of one’s personal philosophy and approach to leadership.
- Students will be able to demonstrate ethical decision-making techniques in culturally diverse contexts.
- Students will be able to develop practical strategies for leading across differences.
Topical Outline
- Course Orientation
1) Defining Leadership
2) Transformational Leadership
- Unit 1: The Scholarship of Global Leadership
1) Culture and Leadership
2) Psychodynamic Approach
3) Leadership Ethics
4) Leadership Across Differences Framework
- Unit 2: Social Identity Theory
1) Social Identity
2) Cultural Values
3) Triggers of Social Identity Conflict
- Unit 3: Multiculturalism and Approaches to Difference
1) Organizational Faultlines
2) Leadership Practices Across Social Identity Groups
3) Approaches to Difference
- Unit 4: Authentic and Cultural Intelligence
1) Leaders Values and Authentic Leadership
2) Cultural Intelligence
3) Miasma: The Dynamics of Difference
- Unit 5: Gender and Leadership
1) Gender and Leadership
2) Social Justice and Dignity
- Unit 6: Leadership Across Distances and Cultures
1) Adaptive Leadership
2) Leading Across Cultural Groups
3) Leading through Paradox
- Unit 7: The Dangers of Leading Change
1) Leadership on the Line
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Leadership & Collaboration
The capacity to engage in the relational process of optimizing personal and collective strengths toward a common goal.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
