Spring 2014/Pasadena
GM522
Cormode
GM522: LEADERSHIP IN CONTEXT (4 Units). Scott Cormode.
DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to teach students to lead God’s people using their field education internships as a context for learning. The course describes the multiple layers of leading and gives students the opportunity to understand leadership by relating it to the work they are doing in their internships. The internship also provides a proving ground that allows students to experiment with the lessons taught in the classroom.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course has intellectual and formative objectives. The students will accumulate knowledge about leadership, with a particular emphasis on managing change. The course will describe the four major schools of thought on leadership and give students the opportunity to experiment with each one. The course also has formative goals. Students will develop pastoral identity and learn how to manage the fears and pride that come with attempting new things.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet once each week for three-hour sessions. Each class period will include lecture, discussion of the course readings, and focus on a case study. A key part of the learning comes from students’ writing one-page reflection papers each week. The papers are due via email the day before class meets. The professor will covenant to have the papers graded with individual comments by the time that class meets. These comments ensure that each student receives weekly individual attention and feedback from the professor.
REQUIRED READING:
Bolman, L. and Deal, T. Reframing Organizations. Jossey-Bass, 2003. ISBN: 978-0787987992, Pub. Price $36.00 [528 pp. assigned].
Collins, J. Good to Great. HarperCollins, 2001. ISBN: 978-0066620992, Pub. Price $16.00 [300 pp. assigned].
_________. Good to Great and the Social Sectors. HarperCollins, 2005. ISBN: 978-0977326402, Pub. Price $11.95 [37 pp. assigned].
Cormode, S. Almond Springs Casebook (available at www.christianleaders.org) [66 pp. assigned].
_________. Making Spiritual Sense. (Photocopied manuscript). [139 pp. assigned].
Course Pack with theological articles.
RECOMMENDED READING: There will be a bibliography available for students who wish pursue specific questions or focus on ministering in particular contexts.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Weekly papers (1/3 of final grade).
A final exam (which will include reflection on a case study (1/3 of final grade).
A 20-page final project, which brings to bear the work of the course on the student’s particular context of ministry (1/3 of final grade).
PREREQUISITES: Concurrent enrollment in field education or permission of the instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN 6) or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for other master’s degrees.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.