The certificate in leadership studies gives students the opportunity to gain both practical and academic experience in leadership studies that serves as a perfect complement to any major field of study. In addition to introductory and advanced leadership seminars representing disciplines across the curriculum, students will complete courses offered through the Batten Leadership Institute (BLI), where they develop working knowledge of leadership theories and skills, as well as gain experience conducting a leadership project. The program culminates with the year-long leadership capstone course, during which students serve on the BLI advisory board, provide mentoring to beginning leadership studies students, and supervise leadership labs. The program is open to all interested undergraduates and does not require an application process.
20 credits.
It is strongly recommended that students choose an introductory and advanced seminar from two different departments.
BLI 101: Leadership Skills (4)
This course employs a case-in-point teaching methodology to help students both learn and experience the dynamics of adaptive leadership theory in thought and action. In this interactive, discussion-based course, students will explore issues of technical vs. adaptive leadership challenges, their relationship to authority, work avoidance, factions and loyalties, and the compassion and collaboration at the heart of meaningful change and effective leadership. Open to first-year students. No prerequisites. Offered both terms.
BLI 201: Leadership Project (2)
Use your leadership skills to design and implement a BLI group project and experience the life of a team. Through this collaborative experience, students will delve into the way teams function, examining elements that create success and foster dysfunction. Students will work to strengthen accountability through pointed sessions of giving and receiving meaningful peer-to-peer feedback. Open to first-year students. Prerequisite: BLI 101. Offered both terms.
BLI 211: Leadership Experience Seminar (2)
This course examines core values and the ways in which those values drive your cultural lens and impact your encounters with systems across the spectrum. Participants explore cultural constructs and their implications for leadership and the potential for systemic change. Your leadership development is a process, with the structure of this class reflecting that principle. Please plan to meet with the professor to discuss your focus experience prior to enrolling. Prerequisite: BLI 101. Offered both terms.
BLI 471, 472: Leadership Capstone (2, 2)
The central focus of the Capstone course is to strengthen considerably your ability to both give and receive constructive, meaningful feedback. As the year unfolds, we will work to create a supportive, resilient group of participants mutually invested in mentoring BLI 101 students in leadership lab and growing one another as mentors. Prerequisites: BLI 471: BLI 201 and 211; BLI 472: BLI 471. BLI 471 offered Term 1; BLI 472 offered Term 2.
Introductory Leadership Seminars:
Seminars open to all students:
First-Year Seminars (introductory):
Advanced Seminars:
