ML560: Change Dynamics (4 units)

C. Douglas McConnell, Associate Professor of Leadership
Summer 2004 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the dynamics and models of bridging change. Based on our historical, theological, and missiological understandings, students will explore change dynamics, roles of change agents and participants, strategic planning, and discerning the operational forces within a change situation. Each student will evaluate a change situation in which they have personal interest

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

Emphasizes the nature of change as a process of discovery built on the foundation of understanding God’s purposes. It is relevant for leaders and participants who desire to be effective in helping the process of change in churches and organizations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will develop a bridging approach to change within the framework of a sociological, theological, and missiological understanding of the purpose of organizational change. It provides an analytic approach to change that examines the development of people and structures that are vital to the mission of God.

COURSE FORMAT:

This is a one-week intensive. Class will meet daily from 8:00 a.m.- 4:50 p.m. Daily sessions will be broken up into three segments: Segment 1: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with a 30 minute mid-morning break. Segment 2: 1:30-3:20 p.m. study time or group interaction time. Students are dispersed, usually at the library. Segment 3:40-4:50 p.m. closure time for the day (entire group meets together).

REQUIRED READING:

If already read; select other books from a supplementary reading list or book approved by instructor.
Clinton, J.R. Bridging strategies: Leadership perspectives for introducing change. Altadena: Barnabas Publishers, 1992.
Kotter, J. Leading Change. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1996.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Anderson, L. Leadership that works. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999.
Finzel, H. Change is like a slinky. Chicago: Northfield Publishing, 2004.
O’Toole, J. Leading Change: Overcoming the Ideology of Comfort and the Tyranny of Custom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1995.
Schaller, L.E. The Interventionist. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. A major change strategy paper of 3750 to 6,250 words.
2. Daily exercises based on the perspectives introduced.
3. Reading 1000 pages of additional change literature (along reading continuum—suggested bibliography given in syllabus).
4. Th.M. Students: An additional 1,000-word paper examining either a biblical example of change or a theological reflection on one aspect of change dynamics.

PREREQUISITES:

No curricular prerequisites. However, you must have ministry experience from which you can derive needs for change and to which the major project can be addressed. Consult instructor. This is an intensive course with numerous exercises daily. Reading done ahead of time eases the load considerably. Auditors permitted by permission of instructor only.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

Elective. Important course in the leadership concentration in the School of Intercultural Studies.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

Last Date Edited: March 17, 2004