Leadership in a Multicultural Society 9/10/14
Fall 2014
BSCV 301.0101 Mondays & Wednesdays 4-5:15 pm0101 Somerset
Course Texts
Tatum, Beverly D. Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? New York: Basic Books, 1997 [note: you want the edition with the 2003 introduction] ISBN 0-465-08361-7
Gerber, Robin. Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way. New York: Penguin Books, 2003 [note: all editions are fine]
ISBN 1-59184-020-1
Washington Post(print or online): Please read the first page and front page of Metro section dailyskim Outlook section on Sundays
Additional required readings will be distributed in class, be available online, or provided via email.
Course Description
This course is designed to teach students concepts and insights needed for successful leadership in 21st century American multicultural society. It will incorporate three major elements:
- Examination of the practice of leadership
- Understanding of the major dimensions of multicultural identity
- Realization, awareness, and understanding of the dynamics that leaders are presented with in a multicultural environment.
Course Objectives
- Students will examine leadership skills that are important to successful leadership in 21st century American multicultural society.
- Students will attain a grasp of nine dimensions of 21st century multicultural identity: race/ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, class, language, and citizenship. Students will examine how these dynamics give rise to constructive leadership practices within a multicultural society.
- Students will understand the role of constructive dialogue in positive intergroup relations and will have opportunities to engage in dialogue concerning current multicultural issues.
- Students will learn about multiple dimensions of, and the relationships between, individual and group identity.
University and Course policies
Preparation and Participation
You are expected to be in class, to be on time, and to there for the full period every day. Arriving late and packing up early are behaviors that disrespectful to your fellow students, guest speakers, TAs, and instructor. Absences must be excused in advance by me (see Medical Excuses section below). Assignments will be due at the beginning of class the day they are due. Readings need to be completed prior to class & brought with you to class. Please remember that you have to be in class and prepared to actively and knowledgeably participate.
Religious Observances
The University System of Maryland policy "Assignments and Attendance on Dates of Religious Observance" states that students should not be penalized in any way for participation in religious observances and that, whenever feasible, they be allowed to make up academic assignments that are missed due to such absences. Students with religious observances that conflict with the course schedule or assignment due dates must provide the instructor with a written request (email is ok)by the end of theschedule adjustment, Monday, September 15, 2014. Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog Policy on Religious Observance.
Medical Excuses
In my class, youor a guardian must email me or call me prior to class to inform me that you will not be in attendance due to illness or injury thus will miss the class, assignment or exam. On the very next class session that you are in attendance, you must present me with a self-signed note for missing one single class. This note must include the date of illness and a statement that the information you have provided is true. You must also state that if your absence is found to be false, you understand that you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. The statement must be signed and dated. Please understand that only one self-signed note for one absence will be allowed for this class this semester. This may not be used on the day of your group presentation, Midterm, or Final. For non-consecutive absences or a major assignment (papers and group project presentation) or exam, I will require a Health Center or medical doctor’s health excuse. If you do not inform me or if you do not present me with timely documentation, 0 points will be given to you for the previously noted assignments or exam. Note: In the case that you are unable to get a written medical excuse, you may ask your provider for a copy of your medical notes for the specific visit(s) in question.
Students with Disabilities
I will make every effort to accommodate students who are registeredwith the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office and who provide mewith a University of Maryland DSS Accommodation form for the Fall 2013 semester. This form must be presented to me by the end of schedule adjustment, Monday, September 15, 2014.
Academic Integrity
The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
Cell Phones and Laptops
Due to the disruption and distraction they cause, cell phones and similar devices must be turned off or muted (not set to vibrate) and put away during class.I prefer that laptops not be used in this class unless we suggest that you bring them to class for group project work..
Citations
All papers and presentations must be correctly cited using utilize MLA style. Click on the MLA Style Guide under Citation Tools on Quick Links on the University Libraries website to for information about in-text and Work Cited citations:
The current version of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers(2009)is the seventh edition. You do not need to purchase this book for this class.
Course Readings
These will be assigned on the syllabus, in class, or via email. Some readings will be distributed in class or via email prior to class. Assigned readings should be read and brought to class as noted on the syllabus.
Course Evaluations
CourseEvalUM will be open to students to complete their evaluation for Fall 2014 late in the semester. We will provide these dates when they are made available.
Emergency University closing
In the event that the University is closed for an emergency or extended period of time, I will communicate to you via email or phone to indicate schedule adjustments, including rescheduling of examinations and assignments due to inclement weather and campus emergencies. Official closures and delays are announced on the campus website [ as well as local radio and TV stations.The University’s snow phone line is 301-405-SNOW.
Course Assignments and Grading
AssignmentPoints (maximum) 100-93=A 89-87=B+ 79-77=C+ 69-67=D+ <60=F
Leader paper20 92-90=A- 86-83=B 76-73=C 66-63=D
Group project and presentation20 82-80=B- 72-70=C- 62-60=D-
Midterm20
Final exam20
Preparation & participation20 (35% at Midterm & 65% at end of the semester
Preparation & participation grade will include class involvement that demonstrates your thoughtful and on time completion of assignments, possible in-class quizzes, and active, relevant, and informed involvement in class. Paper and group project assignments will be distributed and discussed in class.
Grading Criteria
Ultimately, a student’s grade will be based on how successfully she or he achieves the course objectives. When determining the grade, the instructor will consider the following:
Grasp of the course material: The degree to which a student indicates his or her recall and understanding of the material and concepts covered in the course; the student’s success in applying course concepts to hypothetical or actual situations.
Form: The care and clarity with which a student completes papers and presentations. Written assignments should be of very high quality. Grammar, syntax, punctuation, and structure of written assignments should support and enhance the concepts that the student intends to convey. The organization, clarity, and polish of the group presentation should do the same.
Introspection: The degree to which a student is thoughtful, insightful, innovative, and self-aware in the application of course concepts to his or her individual learning and experiences.
Elaboration: The degree to which a student provides detail, depth, and development in written work. Specifically, the instructor will be looking for the student’s ability to reason and provide rationales for conclusions, the extent of critical thinking, and the development of examples and analogies.
Synthesis: The degree to which the student “brings it all together” and incorporates course material into the creation of new insights, and/or creative solutions to hypothetical or actual situations studied in the course.
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Exam protocol
Students may bring only writing implements to thecourse midterm & final exams. Paper will be provided. All personal belongings brought to class, including outerwear, backpacks, food, electronic tablets, personal music devices, and cell phones, will be left in my office prior to the start of the exam. Failure to adhere to this protocol may result in a student being referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
BSCV 301 .0101 Course Calendar: Note: Topics and readings maybe revised. Changes will be announced in class and via email or on the course ELMS site.
Wednesday, 9/2No class
Monday, 9/8Introduction
Read for 9/10-class handout: Identity (Petkas)
Wednesday, 9/10 Identity
Monday 9/15Read for 9/29: Stereotypes and Generalizations (Cortés)-class handout
Wednesday, 9/17Identity
Introduce leader paper
By 10 am, Monday, 9/22Leader selection for paper due via email
Monday, 9/22 Guest presenter: Erica Ely, Program Director, University Career Center and President's
Watch by 10/6: Dr. Peggy McIntosh TedX talk-“How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion”
Read for10/6- “White Privilege and Male Privilege” (McIntosh)-sent via email
By 10/13: Watch Lives Worth Living documentary on ELMS
Wednesday, 9/24Identity presentations (if needed)
Introduce group project
Monday, 9/29Guest presenter: Dr. Carlos Cortés-“Mass Media as Diversity Educators"
Wednesday, 10/1Guest presenter: Dr. Carlos Cortés-“Creation, Content, and Reception”
Monday, 10/6Discuss Cortés reading & McIntosh
Read for 10/8: Tatum- TBA
Read for 10/13: Tatum- TBA
1st Leader paper assignment due
Wednesday, 10/8Discuss Tatum
Monday, 10/13Discuss Living Worth LivingTatum
Wednesday, 10/15Discuss Tatum
Midterm prep
Read for 10/22: Gerber- Foreward, Preface, Time line, Introduction, Chps. 1-3
10/27: Gerber –Chp. 4-7
Schedule Midterm review
Monday, 10/20Midterm
Wednesday, 10/22Group project time
Discuss Gerber
Read for 11/3: Gerber-Chp. 8-11
Monday, 10/27Discuss Gerber
7 pm, 1st group project assignment due
Wednesday, 10/29Meet with Madda and Sue about group project assignment
Nicole Mehta: Peer Dialogue Leader (PDL) as Capstone Internship opportunity
Monday, 11/3Discuss Gerber
Read for 11/10: Gerber- Chps. 12-Epilogue
Watch by 11/10 "American Experience: Eleanor Roosevelt"(will set up for you to watch via CIVICUS ELMS site; also available in Hornbake Non-Print Media Library)
Wednesday, 11/4Discussion: Gerber
5 pm, Friday, 11/7Leader paper due
Monday, 11/10Leader paper presentations
Discussion: Gerber
Wednesday, 11/12Leader paper presentations
Discussion: Gerber-wrap up
Read for 11/17: Tatum-pp. 131-143
Monday, 11/17Group presentations
Leader paper presentations
Read for 11/24: Native American mascots (NAM) - TBA
Wednesday, 11/19Group presentations
Leader paper presentations
Monday, 11/24Watch “If the Name Must Go” video
Leader paper presentations
For 12/1: Watch “A Class Apart,” a PBS video online (approximately 1 hour)
Answer assigned questions & bring two copies of typed answers to class
Read for 12/1: excerpts from King (ed.) The Native American Mascot Controversy (sent via email)
Wednesday, 11/26 No class
Monday, 12/1Discuss “A Class Apart”
Discuss NAM
Leader paper presentations
Assignments for 12/8 & 12/10: NAM readings from the NCAA, Washington Post , and NPR listening assignment links sent via email
Wednesday,12/3NAM
Leader paper presentations
Monday, 12/8NAM
Leader paper presentations
Wednesday, 12/10Class wrap up
Leader paper presentations
Schedule Final Exam review outside of class
Final ExamSection 0101: 4-6 pm, Thursday, 12/18
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