IDIS180 - Leadership Seminar

Excerpts from the Leadership Seminar Syllabi

Fall 1998, Leadership In Cross Cultural Perspective, H. Rosemont, Professor of Philosophy

This seminar will be an unusual one in many respects. First, it will consider the subject matter – leadership – from a multiplicity of disciplines, rather than just one: history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and religious studies will permeate our discussions. Second, the seminar will examine the subject matter from a multiplicity of cultural perspectives, and we will be asking, among other questions, what leadership qualities, if any, transcend cultural boundaries. A third unusual feature of the seminar is that it will be strongly value-oriented. To see why this must be done, consider two twentieth-century figures, Adolph Hitler and Mohandas Gandhi. Both were clearly leaders, but the former is very probably the most despised of all human beings, whereas the latter is almost universally revered; we must endeavor to account for this difference between them.

Fall 1999, Leadership and Social Change, J. Rogachevsky, Professor of International Languages & Cultures/Spanish

In this seminar we will explore issues regarding the nature of leadership from a moral as well as a practical perspective. We will look at how different assumptions about leadership interact with different perspectives on society and the need and possibility for social change. We will read texts from some of the classic authors within the Western tradition, as well as texts from social activists, and we will also explore an alternative cultural tradition, the Maya culture of Central America.

Fall 2000, Leaders and Politics, S. Grogan, Professor of Political Science

This course will examine the concept of leadership from a variety of “social science” perspectives, with a particular focus on the potential of leadership in the political world. While the nature of “political” will be broadly construed, many of the particular exemplars of leadership will be taken from the context of contemporary or recent American government.

Among the questions to be addressed in this seminar will be the following. Who is a leader? What kind or kinds of leadership are most appropriate for different needs? How does leadership differ from holding a position of authority? How does leadership differ from power? How does power differ from influence? How can an individual exercise effective leadership? How do external forces shape the possibilities of leadership? How do internal characteristics shape the possibilities of leadership? What responsibilities does a leader have to those who follow her or him? How can we evaluate leaders? How should we evaluate leaders?

Fall 2001, Scientists and Leadership, A. Koch, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Do good scientists make good leaders? During this seminar we will perform searches on various scientists looking into both their career development and their scientific contributions. Over the course of the semester we will acquire information on given scientists, their works and achievements, and relate this to leadership qualities. Specific attention will be given on utilizing the primary literature and incorporation of technology in developing portfolios.

Fall 2002, Women and Leadership, L. Williams, Assistant Professor of Psychology

This seminar will provide an opportunity for students to examine concepts of leadership, particularly with respect to issues of gender. Specifically, we will explore theories of leadership, research on women and leadership, and specific women representing diverse aspects of leadership (e.g. in business, science, politics, and education). We will also have the opportunity to learn more about specific leaders, both information about leaders and about ways gender may or may not have impacted the leaders’ unique style, approach and effect (e.g. perceptions of others).

Fall 2003, The Question of Poetry, M. Glaser, Professor of English and L. Clifton, Distinguished Professor of Arts & Letters

In a program that focuses on scholars and leadership, and in a country where poetry is often marginalized, what can we learn by examining one in light of the other? Why is it that at Saint Mary’s College of Maryland, poetry, scholarship and a concern for meaningful leadership are alive and vital? How might we define genuine leadership? Or scholarship? Or art/poetry? Why does it seem that there is a disconnect between these topics? This course will examine the complexity of such questions.