The purpose of the seminar is to provide participants with the certification required to teach Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies: A Humanities Approach. During the intensive three-day seminar, international facilitators present course materials to demonstrate five methodologies that have proven to be effective in leadership development and skill-building. These approaches are:
Integrating the humanities into the leadership program: Carefully selected excerpts from the Classics, as well as excerpts from more contemporary writings, speeches, and biographies, are presented in the Classic Case section of each Unit. These Classic Cases offer an extraordinary opportunity to participate in a meaningful inquiry into the nature of leadership. Some of the cases present leaders in context, revealing their qualities and examining their courses of action. Other cases go beyond illustrations and models to look at perennially important issues of leadership from a more theoretical perspective. Not only do these historical, philosophical, and literary works constitute a body of collective wisdom, but they also provide rich insight into the complex concepts of leadership.
Discussion-based learning approach to the study of leadership: Discussion should be the primary teaching approach for this course. According to Ronald Human in his superb book, Improving Discussion Leadership, discussion is a cooperative endeavor; rational and purposeful; systematic; creative; participatory; and involves leadership. Human also identifies six key discussion-leading skills, all of which will be extremely useful in teaching the leadership development course: contributing; crystallizing; focusing the group; introducing and closing the topic; questioning; and supporting.
Use of experiential exercises in the study of leadership: The course employs a variety of exercises to promote experiential learning. Students participate in an activity, critically review the activity, abstract useful insight from the analysis, and put the results to work. Experiential learning is particularly effective because of its immediacy and its personal impact.
Use of film in the study of leadership: The use of film is a powerful teaching and learning tool. This course uses films to enhance the study of leadership. The films provide an excellent opportunity to focus on and examine the specific leadership skill featured in a Unit. They also provide substance for discussion of the concept of leadership and skills featured in other Units.
Shared-analysis approach to the study of leadership: This technique involves asking probing questions that concede more than one valid answer. Students read and respond to the text, concentrating on the articulation of sound opinions supported by evidence in the text. Shared-analysis encourages students to master not only the facts of the text, but also to interpret and evaluate the text. In addition to the Classic Cases, films, and exercises, there are nearly forty compelling and thought-provoking readings on leadership. The shared-analysis approach enhances the understanding and promotes the application of the content in these readings.
