The subject of this course is the cross-cultural study of leadership, i.e., how leaders lead followers in diverse cultural settings. While individuals vary significantly in their capabilities and skills to lead others, each social setting places demands, constraints, and requirements of legality and procedure upon leaders. All leaders must work within the bounds of these variables, regardless of their personal gifts. The lectures in the course are illuminated by the theory and data of social and political anthropology. The course is built around several theoretical perspectives: 1) a model of social action and transactional leadership and decision-making behavior, 2) a model of social power, and 3) four approaches to the study of leadership in complex organizations. More than half of the lecture content is devoted to study and analysis of Biblical texts with particular reference to understanding leadership.

• Employ the theory in order to collect, interpret and apply research data to formulating leadership and ministry strategy in a cultural context that differs from their own.
• Define issues of power in leadership and explore how material and spiritual power are allocated to leaders and employed by them to exercise control over others.
• Complete a management audit, practicing skills for the analysis of leadership structure, processes and management philosophy in an organization with the goal of providing useful feedback to organizational leaders.

The course follows a lecture/discussion format. Students should expect to read assignments and do ethnographic and library research in eight of the ten weeks.

Adams, Richard N. Energy and Structure: A Theory of Social Power. Austin: University of Texas, 1975: 1-67
Bolman, Lee G. and Terrence E. Deal. Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice and Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997.
Lingenfelter, Sherwood. 1998. Transforming Culture. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Books.
Lingenfelter, Sherwood. 1996. Agents of Transformation. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Books.
Shuster, Marguerite. Power, Pathology, Paradox: The Dynamics of Evil and Good. Zondervan, 1987:92-113,137-175.
Wildavsky, Aaron. The Nursing Father: Moses As a Political Leader. Alabama Press, 1984:182-216.

Two papers are required. The first is a field research project (Management Audit) in which a team of two or three students applies the models of the course for data collection, analysis and ministry application. The second is a library research project in which each student reviews two books on leadership in mission contexts. These are critical reviews in which the student reflects on these works, applying perspectives from the course.