ML538/738/838: Cross-Cultural Leadership (4 units)
Sherwood Lingenfelter, Professor of Anthropology
Spring 2005 Pasadena
The subject of this course is the cross-cultural study of leadership,
i.e., how leaders lead followers in diverse cultural settings. While
individuals vary significantly in their capabilities and skills to lead others,
each social setting places demands, constraints, and requirements of legality
and procedure upon leaders. All leaders must work within the bounds of these
variables, regardless of their personal gifts. The lectures in the course are
illuminated by the theory and data of social and political anthropology. The
course is built around several theoretical perspectives: 1) a model of social
action and transactional leadership and decision-making behavior, 2) a model of
social power, and 3) four approaches to the study of leadership in complex
organizations. More than half of the lecture content is devoted to study and
analysis of Biblical texts with particular reference to understanding
leadership.
• Employing the theory students
will collect, interpret and apply research data to formulating leadership and
ministry strategy in a cultural context that differs from their own.
• They will also define issues of power in leadership and explore how material
and spiritual power are allocated to leaders and employed by them to exercise
control over others.
• They will (as a team) complete a management audit, practicing skills for the
analysis of leadership structure, processes and management philosophy in an
organization with the goal of providing useful
feedback to organizational leaders.
The course follows a lecture/discussion format. Students should expect
to read assignments and do ethnographic and library research in eight of the
ten weeks.
Adams,
Richard. Energy and Structure. University of Texas Press, 1975. pp.
1-67.
Bolman,
Lee G. and Terrence E. Deal. Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice and Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997.
Lingenfelter, Sherwood. 1998. Transforming
Culture. Grand Rapids, Mich. :
Baker Books.
Shuster, Marguerite. Power, Pathology, Paradox: The Dynamics of
Evil and Good. Zondervan, 1987:92-113,137-175.
Selected readings to be assigned from Library sources.
Two research projects are required. The first is a field research
project (Management Audit) in which a team of two or three students applies the
models of the course for data collection, analysis and ministry application.
The second is a library research project in which each student reviews two
books on leadership in mission contexts.
These are critical reviews in which the student reflects on these works,
applying perspectives from the course.
PREREQUISITES:
None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meet
the research requirement in MAICS and THM program: Counts as a 4 units methods
course in the doctoral program.
FINAL
EXAM: None.
Last
Date Edited: December 14, 2004