Leadership for Social Justice (reserved for bonner community scholars)

Course Description

This course examines the critical role of leadership in advancing social justice, with particular attention to successful and failed efforts to address social problems such as poverty, oppression, and civil rights in America.  Students probe and critically evaluate various theories and models that attempt to define effective leadership for the public good.  The course utilizes an evidence-based, case study analysis of selected leaders, including internationally recognized and lesser known citizen activists, elected public officials, and corporate entrepreneurs.  Students investigate the values, traits and competencies demonstrated by effective and ineffectual leaders for positive social change.  Texts and supplemental readings include non-fiction and fictional works examining complex problems rooted in social injustice, and the attempts of leaders to ameliorate or eliminate their symptoms.  The course also integrates the community engaged learning experiences of students as part of their development as emerging leaders in the Bonner Community Scholars program.