UMass Boston

Course Overview

Description

This core course focuses on a set of the individual, interpersonal and group skills that leaders of educational institutions must acquire if they are to effectively promote organizational change. At the individual level, the course focuses on five major areas of self-awareness: trust and trustworthiness, personal values and moral development, orientation toward change, interpersonal orientation and personal temperament (including cognitive style). At the interpersonal level, the course assists students in forming accurate interpersonal perceptions and building communication skills. At the level of the group, students learn to diagnose group problems using theory and research about (1) group size, composition and characteristics of group members; (2) stages of group development and team culture; (3) cognitive and relational roles in teams; and (4) patterns of intra-group communication. Particular attention is given to developing skills that enable students to function effectively in committees, interdepartmental working groups and leadership teams. In all coursework, students are encouraged to consider the impact of gender and culture on skill development and practice.

Prerequisites

Graduate student in HIGHED