Fall 2011 Syllabus
“Innovative Leadership for Human Development:
The UN and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”
PADM-GP.2226.001
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
New York University, New York, NY
September 12 – December 14, 2011
Mondays, 4:55 pm – 6:35 pm
Meyer Hall, Room 157, 4 Washington Place
Instructor: Robertson Work
Phone: 914 382 9692
Email:
Course schedule: Mondays, 4:55 pm to 6:35 pm, Fall 2011, September 12 through December 14, 2011
Course description:
First, the course will explore an integral framework for international development that compliments the current technocratic, bureaucratic, hyper-rational, statistical approach. Integral development includes systems/institutions/policies, cultural development, individual behavior and individual consciousness and values. The course will then enable students to experience and practice innovative leadership methods that can make a dramatic difference in their life and work. As an alternative to a “command and control” leadership style, innovative leadership is facilitative, participatory, collaborative, creative and profound. Four levels of innovative leadership will be experienced, enhanced and practiced: physical/sensory capacities, psychological/historical capacities, mythic/symbolic capacities and unitive/intuitive capacities. UN program experience (2002-2006) will be shared related to the role of innovative leadership in achieving the MDGs in Nepal, Albania, the Eastern Caribbean, Kenya and the Philippines.
Course structure:
Sept. 12, 19 / Sept 26, Oct 3, 17 / Oct 24, 31, Nov 7 / Nov 14, 21, 28 / Dec 5, 12, 14Integral Development / Innovative Leadership
Systems Design / Organizational Facilitation / Cultural Interpretation / Individual Awareness
Outline of Learning Objectives:
The course will allow the student to learn:
1. what is international development within the context of human evolution and history including recent shifts in development thinking and practice
2. what an integral approach is to international development (Ken Wilber):
- institutional/systems (collective exterior)
- cultural (collective interior)
- individual behavior (individual exterior)
- individual consciousness (individual interior)
3. how to use methods of social artistry (Jean Houston) in capacity development of innovative leadership
- physical/sensory
- psychological/historical
- mythological/symbolic
- unitive/spiritual
4. how to be a leader who can design systems, facilitate organizations, interpret and re-create culture and awaken profound consciousness in her/himself and others
Course requirements:
1. Course attendance and participation in class discussion - 30% of grade
2. Final paper: making ample use of class readings and discussion, write an 8 page, 12 font, single-spaced paper on the type of leadership required to deal with the
global/local crises in energy, economics and governance – 30% of grade (send by
email to professor by 12 noon, 13 Dec)
3. Practice – 20% (demonstrating competency in innovative leadership techniques
on a selected topic in small groups in class)
4. Journal – 10% (making use of your own insights and class readings and
discussion prepare periodic reflections on leadership (see classes below for
specific topics and dates due)
5. Outside Event Note – 5% making use of class readings and discussion and
related to an event that you attended in the past month, prepare a two-page, 12
font, single-spaced note on the negative and positive features of leadership
demonstrated in the event and make recommendations for improvements (email to
professor by 12 noon 8 Nov)
6. Media Note – 5% Observe the leadership style of a public figure as
seen on TV or the Internet and making use of class readings and discussion
prepare a two-page, 12 font, single-spaced note on the negative and positive
aspects of their leadership style/approach and provide recommendations for
improvements to this person (send by email to professor by 12
noon on 4 Oct)
7. Comprehension of course readings (as reflected in above products and activities)
Monday Classes during Fall 2011 Semester:
Section 1: Integral Development
Class 1: September 12
Topic: Integral Sustainable Human Development: 1) A brief context on
international development in relation to human
evolution, history and contemporary issues; 2) Exploring Integral development in four dimensions
(institutions/systems; culture; interpersonal behavior; and individual consciousness)
Schedule: 4:55 Group Exploratory Conversation
5:25 Contextual Presentation
6:00 Group Dialogue
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Hames, “Paradigms in Progress” 2010 (see Blackboard)
(to be read
by 12 Sept) Houston, Jump Time, pp. 130-168, Boulder, Sentient Publications, 2004
Swimme and Berry, The Universe Story, pp. 222-261, New York, Harper Collins, 1994
Homework: Journal entry: how do I want to be different by taking this
course? (send by email to professor by 9 am, 12 Sept.)
Class 2: September 19
Topic: Integral Sustainable Human Development
Schedule: 4:55 Demonstration of Integral Development Method
5:25 Practice in Small Groups
6:25 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Wilber, A Brief History of Everything, pp. 105-156, Boston, Shambhala, 1996
de Chardin, The Phenomenon of Man, pp. 141-232; 300-304, New
York, Harper & Row, 1975
Homework:
Leadership Methods:
Section 2: Systems Design:
Class 3: September 26
Topic: Innovative Leadership, Whole Systems Design and Social Artistry: 1) Four levels of social artistry leadership: sensory/physical, psychological/historical, mythic/symbolic and unitive/integral; 2) Design of systems, institutions and networks
Schedule: 4:55 Group Exploratory Conversation
5:25 Contextual Presentation
6:00 Group Dialogue
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work, “Integral Development, Technology of Participation
and Social Artistry: Leadership from Civil Society” UN,
2008
Houston, “Applying Social Artistry to Decentralised Governance for Human Development”, UNDP
Emberling, “Stages of Leadership Development”
Homework: Journal entry: what are my reflections about the leadership styles
in our class of myself and my sister/fellow students? (send by
email to professor by 9 am, 26 Sept)
Class 4: October 3
Topic: Whole Systems Design
Schedule: 4:55 Demonstration of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 1 – 45, UNDP 2006
Nelson, “The Design of Design Learning”, pp. 1-17, Doctoral Education in Design Conference, June 2005
Homework: Media Note: Observe the leadership style of a public figure as
seen on TV or the Internet and prepare a two-page, 12 font, single -spaced note on the negative and positive aspects of their
leadership style/approach and provide recommendations for
improvements to this person (send by email to professor by 12
noon on 4 Oct)
Class 5: October 17
Topic: Whole Systems Design
Schedule: 4:55 Practice of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 1 – 45, UNDP 2006
Senge et al, Presence: An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations and Society, pp. 3-17; 177-186; 213-234, New York, Doubleday, 2005
Homework:
Section 3: Organizational Facilitation
Class 6: October 24
Topic: Community and Organizational Facilitation
Schedule: 4:55 Group Exploratory Conversation
5:25 Contextual Presentation
6:00 Group Dialogue
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Sanders and Timsina, “Decentralised Transformative Approaches to HIV/AIDS, Nepal 2002-2003”, UNDP
Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, pp. 1-13; 139- 147, San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 1994
Homework: Journal entry: what are my reflections on approaches to leadership
at NYU? (send by email to professor by 9 am, 24 Oct)
Class 7: October 31
Topic: Community and Organizational Facilitation
Schedule: 4:55 Demonstration of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 76 - 127, UNDP 2006
Homework:
Class 8: November 7
Topic: Community and Organizational Facilitation
Schedule: 4:55 Practice of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 76 - 127, UNDP 2006
Homework: Outside Event Note: related to an event that you attended in the
past month, prepare a two-page, 12 font, single-spaced note on the
negative and positive features of leadership demonstrated in the
event and make recommendations for improvements (email to
professor by 12 noon 8 Nov)
Section 4: Cultural Interpretation
Class 9: November 14
Topic: Cultural Interpretation and Re-creation
Schedule: 4:55 Group Exploratory Conversation
5:25 Contextual Presentation
6:00 Group Dialogue
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Sharma, “Personal to Planetary Transformation”, Kosmos 2007
Homework: Journal entry: what are my reflections about leadership methods in
NYC? (send by email to professor by 9 am, 14 Nov)
Class 10: November 21
Topic: Cultural Interpretation and Re-creation
Schedule: 4:55 Demonstration of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 45 - 75, UNDP 2006
Homework:
Class 11: November 28
Topic: Cultural Interpretation and Re-creation
Schedule: 4:55 Practice of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 45 - 75, UNDP 2006
Homework:
Section 5: Individual Awareness
Class 12: December 5
Topic: Individual Mindset, Awareness and Values
Schedule: 4:55 Group Exploratory Conversation
5:25 Contextual Presentation
6:00 Group Dialogue
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Jaworski, Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership,
pp.91-185, San Francisco, Berrett-Koehler, 1996
Harman, pp. 107-170, Global Mind Change, New York, Warner
Books, 1988
Homework: Journal entry: what are my reflections on methods of leadership in
my national government? (send by email to professor by 9 am, 5 Dec)
Class 13: December 12
Topic: Individual Awareness and Values
Schedule: 4:55 Demonstration of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 128 - 190, UNDP 2006
Homework: Final paper: write an 8 page, 12 font, single-spaced paper on the
type of leadership required to deal with the global/local crises in
energy, economics and governance (send by email to professor by
12 noon, 13 Dec)
Class 14: December 14 (make up class for Oct 10 Memorial Day)
Topic: Individual Awareness and Values
Schedule: 4:55 Practice of an Innovative Leadership Method
5:55 Group Reflection
6:35 Class Dismissal
Readings: Work and Sanders, “An Integral Palette of 50
Capacity Development Methods”, pp. 128 - 190, UNDP 2006
Homework: Journal entry: how am I different having taken this course (send by
email to professor by 12 noon, 15 Dec, Thurs)
Readings’ availability:
The above books can be accessed on reserve at the Bobst Library Reserve or on the course Blackboard site or can be purchased at the NYU Book Store.
Sections rationale:
Each of the five sections will consist of six movements: a conversation, presentation, discussion, demonstration, practice and reflection.
1. EXPLORATORY CONVERSATION: First there will be an opening conversation about the topic allowing the students to express their views.
2. CONTEXTUAL PRESENTATION: Next the instructor will make a presentation on the assigned topic providing basic information, analysis and examples.
3. OPEN DIALOGUE: Following the talk, a discussion period will be held to allow students to dialogue with the instructor and each other.
4. DEMONSTRATION OF A METHOD: The instructor will demonstrate an innovative leadership method involving the whole group.
5. SMALL GROUP PRACTICE: Next an experiential practice session will be held in small groups allowing the students to practice an innovative leadership method.
6. SUMMARY REFLECTION: Finally, a reflection on the session will be held to wrap up the class and look forward to the following class.
Educational philosophy
The course will be conducted using several modes of learning: conceptual-verbal, analytical and synthetic, artistic and expressive, spatial and kinesthetic, interpersonal, emotional and contemplative. Students are invited to step outside their comfort zones, experiment with new ways of learning and discover their optimal modes of learning. This approach is based in part on the work of Howard Gardner on Multiple Intelligences (MI):
· Linguistic Intelligence
· Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
· Musical Intelligence
· Spatial Intelligence
· Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
· Interpersonal & Intrapersonal Intelligence
· Naturalist Intelligence
· Intuitive and Spiritual Intelligence
Additional Resource Materials:
Baudot (Ed.), Candles in the Dark: A New Spirit for a Plural World, Seattle, University
of Washington Press, 2002
Harrison and Huntington, Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress, New
York, Basic Books, 2000
Institute of Cultural Affairs International (ICAI), Beyond Prince and Merchant, New York, Pact Publications, 1997
Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) USA, “Technology of Participation (ToP), Participatory Strategic Planning”, ICA 1996
ICA USA, “Technology of Participation (ToP), “Group Facilitation Methods”, ICA, 1994
Jenkins, Healing the Hurts of Nations, Somerset, Gothic Image, 2003
Work (Ed.), “Manuscript on Innovative Policy Perspectives on Decentralised
Governance” (copies available)
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