UNIT TWO TITLE:

SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE LASALLIAN TRADITION

UNIT DESCRIPTION:

To be delivered by Doctor Peter Bray, fsc. (B.A.,Ed.D.) and Brother John Cantwell, fsc. (BA, Dip.Ed, Grad Dip Ed (Rel), BA Hons (Biblical Studies) M.Th., current Doctoral studies)

This unit deals with the range of skills, attitudes and behaviours at personal, group and organisational levels that contribute to, or detract from, socially responsible and professional leadership. Learners are encouraged to develop strategies and action plans to promote high levels of personal and institutional integrity and authenticity. It explores the "spirituality of the teacher" through examining a number of De La Salle's texts, and the Scriptures on which they are based. Particular emphasis will be given to studying the text, Meditations for the Time of Retreat.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

This unit will assist students to:

• Identify a range of skills, attitudes and behaviors at personal, group and organizational levels that contribute to, or detract from, socially responsible and ethical leadership;
• Examine the nature and characteristics of a system's or organisation's culture and different models of educational leadership in the Catholic school;
• Deal with the challenges for leaders in implementing and sustaining change in entrenched cultures;
• Assists the learners in understanding the responsibilities of professional leaders;
• Explore the spirituality of the teacher through various Lasallian and scriptural texts;
• Reflect on the meaning and application of various styles and models of leadership in the Catholic school;
• Analyse and evaluate styles and models of leadership in the light of the Lasallian tradition and gospel values;
• Apply the meaning and application of a chosen leadership model through an action research project;
• Develop a personal position on what constitutes responsible and ethical leadership in the context of the Lasallian school within the Catholic tradition.

CONTENT:

• The spirituality of the teacher by De La Salle, as described in Meditations for the Time of Retreat;
• The view of "leadership faithful to the gospels" contained in the scriptural references (particularly Pauline) in the writings of De La Salle;
• Analysis of behaviours and attitudes that build and strengthen, or weaken, community;
• Comparison of strategies and approaches to leadership and decision making;
• Change theory and implementation of change;
• Dealing with resistant and difficult behaviours;
• Theoretical approaches to styles and models of leadership and the impact they have made on the Lasallian (Catholic) school with a particular focus on the teaching of Religious Education.