Two Fall Courses on Leadership & Social Change
by David Hoffman
If you're interested in building your skills as a leader and agent of positive social change ... well, you've chosen the right university, because there are plenty of opportunities. I'm going to highlight just two of many fall courses that may appeal to you.
Civic Agency & Social Entrepreneurship (AMST 205/POLI 205/SOCY 205)
Instructors: David Hoffman and Craig Berger (your Co-Create UMBC authors)
Students in this highly interactive, discussion-focused course will explore the process of social change through reading, conversations and hands-on group work. Bring your desire to make a positive difference; we'll help you identify your passions and channel your hopes into practical projects at UMBC.
Projects designed by students in previous semesters have included putting up fiberglass Retriever statues around campus with designs reflecting UMBC's values and diversity, setting up new applied research opportunities for UMBC undergraduates, developing new health and wellness resources for UMBC students, installing hydration stations to discourage bottled water use on campus (the first of these was installed in the Retriever Learning Center), and expanding campus food options. Learning how to get a real project off the ground can be a challenge, but the payoff is that you will develop the confidence and perspective you need to succeed as an agent of change.
Just like in previous semesters, we plan to engage exciting guests to help you build your skills and hone your ideas. If you have questions about this course, feel free to email me (David Hoffman, dhoffman@umbc.edu).
Instructors: Virginia Byrne and Lee Calizo
Example of how this course differs from other courses:
1) Class participation focused: Leadership is an inherently relational process. Within this course, you will share the responsibility to create a dynamic learning environment in which you will have the opportunity to understand, acquire, practice, reflect, and apply leadership knowledge, skills, and values. Each member of the class will be an expert in his or her own personal experience and how that experience informs and shapes the meaning made from course readings.
2) Many right answers about leadership: You will not leave this class with a 12 step plan for becoming a superhero, but you will practice skills that will help you make a difference in your community and improve your relationships.
3) No PowerPoint presentations. At all.
If you have questions about this course, email Virginia Byrne: vbyrne@umbc.edu. Find Virginia on Twitter at @WeLeadUMBC and on myUMBC at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/lc.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
If you're interested in building your skills as a leader and agent of positive social change ... well, you've chosen the right university, because there are plenty of opportunities. I'm going to highlight just two of many fall courses that may appeal to you.
Civic Agency & Social Entrepreneurship (AMST 205/POLI 205/SOCY 205)
Instructors: David Hoffman and Craig Berger (your Co-Create UMBC authors)
3 credits
TuTh 11:30-12:45
Students in this highly interactive, discussion-focused course will explore the process of social change through reading, conversations and hands-on group work. Bring your desire to make a positive difference; we'll help you identify your passions and channel your hopes into practical projects at UMBC.
Projects designed by students in previous semesters have included putting up fiberglass Retriever statues around campus with designs reflecting UMBC's values and diversity, setting up new applied research opportunities for UMBC undergraduates, developing new health and wellness resources for UMBC students, installing hydration stations to discourage bottled water use on campus (the first of these was installed in the Retriever Learning Center), and expanding campus food options. Learning how to get a real project off the ground can be a challenge, but the payoff is that you will develop the confidence and perspective you need to succeed as an agent of change.
Just like in previous semesters, we plan to engage exciting guests to help you build your skills and hone your ideas. If you have questions about this course, feel free to email me (David Hoffman, dhoffman@umbc.edu).
Foundations of Leadership Development (EDUC 216/PSYC 216)
Instructors: Virginia Byrne and Lee Calizo
3 credits
W 4:30-7:00
This course is designed to help develop effective, ethical leaders. As UMBC student you can interact with and influence other UMBC students on a daily basis. This course is designed to help you to develop as a leader and to prepare you to have a positive influence on others at UMBC and throughout your life. Through experiential projects and theoretical readings, this course will provide a foundation for your leadership development.
Example of how this course differs from other courses:
1) Class participation focused: Leadership is an inherently relational process. Within this course, you will share the responsibility to create a dynamic learning environment in which you will have the opportunity to understand, acquire, practice, reflect, and apply leadership knowledge, skills, and values. Each member of the class will be an expert in his or her own personal experience and how that experience informs and shapes the meaning made from course readings.
2) Many right answers about leadership: You will not leave this class with a 12 step plan for becoming a superhero, but you will practice skills that will help you make a difference in your community and improve your relationships.
3) No PowerPoint presentations. At all.
If you have questions about this course, email Virginia Byrne: vbyrne@umbc.edu. Find Virginia on Twitter at @WeLeadUMBC and on myUMBC at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/lc.
Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.
Posted: April 8, 2014, 8:59 AM