LDRS 645 - Global Leadership (Leadership Across Cultures)  (3 S. Hrs)

This course is designed to build understanding of the nature of culture and its
influence on human society and behavior, especially in relationship to the
processes of leadership within and between cultures. The influence of deep
cultural patterns on perception, communication, and other interpersonal and
organizational behaviors will be examined. Sources of misunderstanding when
working across cultures will be considered along with strategies to reduce
confusion and conflict. Issues of values and ethnocentrism, pluralism, diversity,
and multiculturalism will be addressed. Students will be expected as part of this
course to explore one or more cultural settings, preparing a report and analysis
of leadership processes in the foreign culture.

Course Objectives

The course is designed to help leaders:
1. Understand the nature of culture and how its deep structures rooted in a
worldview are manifested in artifacts and behaviors.
2. Develop greater sensitivity to the profound and subtle effects of culture on
leadership processes.
3. Become more aware of their own cultural values, biases, and perceptual
and action patterns.
4. Gain experience in working with a leader from a culture other than the
student's own, including building some understanding of how leadership
strategies differ in the other's culture.
5. Prepare for personal cross-cultural leadership roles, either internationally
or some other cross-cultural setting.