Rev. Dr. Cathie Kelsey; email ckelsey@iliff.edu . cell and text: 303-968-9812
ATTENTION! I use weekly announcements to communicate important information. Be SURE to have Canvas send announcements to an email or other location that you look at regularly.
Effective organizations need leaders who can develop and nurture cultures in which people of diverse backgrounds feel valued, are deeply connected to one other, and are aligned with a shared mission. This kind of engaged leader is able to recognize those who have the potential to be highly motivated and engaged individuals, and who can contribute significantly to the organization and the world.
In this course, we will examine the theological and psychosocial foundations of authentic leadership as they are grounded in self-reflection and the embodiment of core values. Awareness of our own Otherness and exploration of traditional approaches to diversity will help us develop interconnected, inclusive relationships of trust. Finally, we will learn how to leverage differences and create cultures where people individually and collectively flourish.
Effective organizations need leaders who can develop and nurture cultures in which people of diverse backgrounds feel valued, are deeply connected to one other, and are aligned with a shared mission. This kind of engaged leader is able to recognize those who have the potential to be highly motivated and engaged individuals, and who can contribute significantly to the organization and the world.
In this course, we will examine the theological and psychosocial foundations of authentic leadership as they are grounded in self-reflection and the embodiment of core values. Awareness of our own Otherness and exploration of traditional approaches to diversity will help us develop interconnected, inclusive relationships of trust. Finally, we will learn how to leverage differences and create cultures where people individually and collectively flourish.
Course Objectives
In this course students will:
This course is deeply reflective, and that reflection needs to take place in a safe, collaborative environment; we will, indeed, be practicing Authentic Engagement even as we learn about the concepts. We will facilitate the learning process through readings, discussions, personal assessments, guided reflections, and case studies.
How do we accomplish this in an online environment? Very carefully, and very intentionally. Please read about Learning in the Online Environment and, from this point onward into your career, be sure to familiarize yourself with Professional Confidentiality & Mandatory Reporting
There is one required text for this course, and it is both inexpensive and short:
Appreciative Moments: Stories and Practices for Living and Working Appreciatively, by Edward A. Jacobsen. 2008, Tenacity Press, ISBN 978-0595429110
All other readings will be provided on the Canvas site.
In terms of workload, this course will be somewhat lighter than others, although there are weekly lectures which are required. Deep reflection and engagement with the material, and with each other, is critical if you are going to get anything out of it (and, of course, your engagement impacts everyone else, too).
If you plan to take this course Pass/Fail, please let Cathie know by the end of Week 1.
In online courses, you "attend" online, and your attendance and interaction with others comprises the bulk of your "participation." Being thoughtfully engaged in both large and small group discussions will help foster a meaningful and enriching learning community. During the first weeks of the course, Cathie will provide grading comments on your posts each week (even if the comments are simple "great work" or something like that). As we get further into the quarter, Cathie will still grade, but only provide comments when necessary. Please note: this course depends on collaborative reflection discussions, so: if you miss two weeks (or more) of the discussion, you will be dropped from the course.
Students will complete the free online Life Values Inventory to identify and prioritize core values (see specific instructions on Canvas). Please do share the results in your Reflective Discussion Groups, but also submit them in the appropriate assignment to receive the credit.
Students will complete the free online Smart About Money Life Values Quiz (see specific instructions on Canvas). Please do share the results in your Reflective Discussion Groups, but also submit them in the appropriate assignment to receive the credit.
Students will develop a personal/organizational compass for their ministry or service context, and submit it online.
Students will demonstrate integration of course materials by completing a personal reflection around the Self, Other, and Whole aspects of AE, as well as the financial module; completing assessment tools related to course modules; and developing a personal action plan using these self-assessments. This Reflection and Action Plan is due at the end of Week 9.
How can you be successful in taking an online class? It can be more than a little challenging - after all, in a face-to-face class, you meet once or twice a week, and, in that time, the instructor can make sure you are on-track in terms of course progress and your understanding of the material. Online, though, is different in some key ways, and your success in the course hinges on understanding those differences.
You can't participate if you don't know what's going on! In your Canvas Profile (which you can access using the Profile link at the top right of every page), you can specify how you should be contacted. Make sure that your preferred email address is properly set on that page.
From that page, you also have the ability to change your notifications (that is an option on the left menu on that page). Make sure that your notification settings are set so that you are kept reasonably informed of events related to the class.
As each week progresses, you need to pay attention to class-related activities! Keep an eye on whatever notifications you have chosen to receive. If you choose to ignore them, you can quickly find yourself way behind (and, remember, after two weeks of non-involvement, you may be removed from the class).
Finally, if you have a personal emergency (i.e. family crisis, illness, or even the burdens of life just getting in the way of completing the assignments) please (please please please) contact Cathie immediately. The final week of the class is not the right time to initiate a conversation with your instructor about incomplete assignments from earlier in the course!
Online classes are, by their very nature, highly collaborative in terms of learning. That means that the majority of your learning will take place as you engage other students regarding the material that everyone is reading.
Collaborative learning is a common approach at Iliff, both in online and face-to-face classes. The discussions and other activities that you participate in here are similar to in-class discussions in the face-to-face session. It is a little harder to "hide" in the online classes than it is in the face-to-face, but, otherwise, the approach is the same. And yes, the readings are the same in the the online and face-to-face classes - the load is no heavier in the online class, although the 2.0(ish) hours of "face time" in the face-to-face class is replaced by reading, thinking about what other students have said and responding online.
As with any class, your commitment to learning will greatly impact your success (both in terms of grades and in terms of actually mastering new information). In this class, we don't all meet online at the same time, so it is up to you to set up a schedule that allows you to engage other students about the material.
There is a significant difference in terms of commitment in an online class, though, and it is this: Since the learning process is highly collaborative (and since different students will be reading material in different ways), your failure to participate will reduce the effectiveness of the class for other students as well. Taking an online class really does require commitment, and a special kind of discipline, in order for everyone to be successful.
All students must agree to abide by professional confidentiality in all matters, which means that they will preserve anonymity by disguising the identity of cases when seeking consultation and case reporting. Student disclosures to one another and to the professor will remain confidential, unless the law requires otherwise. In all cases, students must be aware of the mandatory reporting laws of the state in which they provide professional caregiving. If they are designated spiritual caregivers within their religious tradition, they need to also be aware of what their religious organization requires. If students have reason to suspect or have first-hand knowledge of recent, current, or ongoing child abuse or neglect perpetrated on a child currently under the age of 18 years, elder abuse, sexual and domestic violence, or threats of homicide or suicide in any of the pastoral situations they use for fulfilling the requirements of this course they need to seek immediate consultation with supervisors, denominational leaders, and the professor of this course so that proper reporting procedures can be ascertained. We will work together to establish an appropriate pastoral relationship with all parties facing these crises.
State laws on mandatory reporting are available at State Statutes Search - Child Welfare.
Degree Learning Goals: Please take some time to look over the Professional Degree Learning Goals (MDiv, MASC, MAPSC) and the Academic Degree Learning Goals (MTS, MA).
Incompletes: Incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.
Pass/Fail: Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the end of the day on the first Friday of the term.
Academic Integrity and Community Covenant: All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook.
Accommodations: Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs. Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations. The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146.
Writing Lab: Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments. Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft.
Inclusive Language: It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.
This page includes some of the additional readings and resources mentioned throughout the course, which are not required.
Weekly Readings:
by Antonio, Arora, Doehring, and Hernandez., an article about Lisa Yebuah. Weekly Readings:
by Sawyer.
Additional Resources:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
One optional video for this week:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
https://youtu.be/IPF21UvvKkQ
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
Weekly Readings:
Additional Resources:
Introduce Yourself
Fun Stuff
There will be a Thursday assignment every week (except wk 10) with the readings and videos for that week. I will be adding the videos to the reading assignment page week by week, no later than Monday morning. I will also send out an announcement on Monday mornings with links to everything for that week, just as a reminder.
| Date | Day | Details | |
| Mar 26, 2021 | Fri | 0.3 Introduce Yourself | due by 05:59AM |
| Mar 26, 2021 | Fri | 0.1 Join a Reflective Discussion Group | due by 05:59AM |
| Mar 26, 2021 | Fri | 1.2 Readings, Lectures, and Content | due by 05:59AM |
| Mar 27, 2021 | Sat | 1.3 Friday Discussion Posting | due by 05:59AM |
| Mar 27, 2021 | Sat | 0.2 Request Pass/Fail Grading | due by 05:59AM |
| Mar 30, 2021 | Tue | 1.4 Getting Started with Authentic Engagement | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 02, 2021 | Fri | 2.1 Readings, Lecture, and Content | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 03, 2021 | Sat | 2.2 Friday Discussion Posting | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 06, 2021 | Tue | 2.3 Engagement around Self as Leader | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 08, 2021 | Thu | Synchronous session #1 recording here | due by 12:00AM |
| Apr 08, 2021 | Thu | 3.4 Life Values Inventory | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 09, 2021 | Fri | 3.1 Readings, Lecture, and Content | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 10, 2021 | Sat | 3.2 Friday Discussion Posting | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 13, 2021 | Tue | 3.3 Self-Reflective Leadership (The Self, Week 1) | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 16, 2021 | Fri | 4.1 Readings, Lecture, and Content | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 17, 2021 | Sat | 4.2 Friday Discussion Posting | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 20, 2021 | Tue | 4.3 The Self - Thinking About Authenticity and Moral Stress | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 20, 2021 | Tue | 4.4 SELF Assessment Tool | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 20, 2021 | Tue | 4.5 Reflection Writing on the Self | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 22, 2021 | Thu | Synchronous session #2 video link here | due by 12:00AM |
| Apr 23, 2021 | Fri | 5.1 Readings, Lecture and Content | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 24, 2021 | Sat | 5.2a Financial Values Self-Quiz | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 24, 2021 | Sat | 5.2 First Posting Due | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 27, 2021 | Tue | 5.3 Finances | due by 05:59AM |
| Apr 30, 2021 | Fri | 6.1 Reimagining Otherness (Readings, Lecture and Content) | due by 05:59AM |
| May 01, 2021 | Sat | 6.2 First Posting Due | due by 05:59AM |
| May 04, 2021 | Tue | 6.3 Otherness | due by 05:59AM |
| May 07, 2021 | Fri | 7.1 Human Flourishing (Readings, Lecture and Content) | due by 05:59AM |
| May 08, 2021 | Sat | 7.2 First Posting Due | due by 05:59AM |
| May 11, 2021 | Tue | 7.3 Flourishing: From the Other to the Whole | due by 05:59AM |
| May 11, 2021 | Tue | 7.4 Reflection Writing on the Other & Finances | due by 05:59AM |
| May 13, 2021 | Thu | Synchronous session #3 video of session here | due by 12:00AM |
| May 14, 2021 | Fri | 8.1 Transformational Values (Readings, Lecture and Content) | due by 05:59AM |
| May 15, 2021 | Sat | 8.2 First Posting Due | due by 05:59AM |
| May 18, 2021 | Tue | 8.3: The Whole | due by 05:59AM |
| May 18, 2021 | Tue | 8.4 Reflection Writing on the Whole | due by 05:59AM |
| May 21, 2021 | Fri | 9.1 Transformational Leadership (Readings, Lecture and Content) | due by 05:59AM |
| May 22, 2021 | Sat | 9.2 First Posting Due | due by 05:59AM |
| May 25, 2021 | Tue | 9.3: Recap and Summary; What's Next?!? | due by 05:59AM |
| May 26, 2021 | Wed | Personal and Organizational Compass | due by 05:59AM |
| May 26, 2021 | Wed | Final Assignment: Reflection and Action Plan | due by 05:59AM |
| May 28, 2021 | Fri | 10.1 Catching Up (no Reading, no Lecture, a tad of Content) | due by 05:59AM |
| May 28, 2021 | Fri | 10.3 Propelling Ourselves in the World | due by 11:00PM |