SSI 240W - Leadership for Positive Change

Credits: 4
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

Prepares students to lead positive change in a variety of contexts (personal, family, community/social and organizational). Includes: leadership development, problem solving, service learning, team work, global citizenship, sustainability, and social action. Provides opportunities for individual practice and reflection and requires “change” project in service to family, community, or place of employment. Credit may be earned in IHU 240W or SSI 240W but not both.

Prerequisite(s): High School GPA of 2.3 or higher OR completion of any ENG course with grade of “C” or higher
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 15
Meets MTA Requirement: Humanities, Social Science
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

Identify strategies or processes that have been used to solve problems.
1. Understand and apply collaborative problem solving techniques to interpersonal issues and societal problems.
2. Understand the importance of giving a “voice” to marginalized people, and utilize grass-roots social action methodology to foster change.
Demonstrate key components of leadership for the purpose of making positive/transformational change.
1. Understand and practice effective facilitation skills in a variety of settings.
2. Understand and practice a variety of leadership styles as they relate to emancipation, social justice, and positive personal & social transformation.
Apply facilitation skills to a “real-world” issue or problem.
1. Identify a social problem, and intervention strategies that could be applied to affect positive change.
2. Design and implement an intervention plan using key leadership and facilitation skills, and collect feedback.
3. Compose and present a reflective analyses of the effectiveness of the project.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
1. Communicate ideas clearly through formal and informal written assignments, formal presentations, and group discussions and debates.
2. Develop skills to effectively communicate with people who have different values systems, or different backgrounds, in small- and large-group discussions.