Leadership in Action: Spring Quarter

Credits: 4, 8 or 12
Faculty: Rick McKinnon, mckinnor@evergreen.edu, Joanna Cashman, cashmanj@evergreen.edu, and Mary Dean, mdeanassociates@hotmail.com
Days & Times: First meeting: April 5, 9a-12p at Olympia campus; see below for individual intensive weekend dates. Weekend classes meet Fri, 6-9p, Sat, 9a-5p, Sun, 9a-4p (unless otherwise noted). Additional class Sat, June 7, 9a-4p at Grays Harbor for 12 credit students
Prerequisites: Junior status or above
Enrollment: 25
Web Site: www2.evergreen.edu/EvergreenatGH/

The third quarter of this year-long program will continue to focus on building the set of skills that are required to work in a helping capacity, either as an independent agent or within an organization. Some important themes in the program will include: the connection between mind and body, ethical issues that helping practitioners encounter, the values that we express in our choices about health, and techniques for managing conflict in communication. The program will be structured as four intensive weekend units. Students enrolling for 4 credits may attend any two of the four intensive weekend units. Students enrolling for 8 credits will attend all four intensive weekend units. Students enrolling for 12 credits will attend all four intensive weekend units, attend an extra class at the end of the quarter, and complete an independent research project spanning the themes of the quarter.

Major areas of study include health policy and practice, mind and body, and conflict studies.

First Meeting: April 5th, 9am-12pm (at TESC).

Unit 1 (April 11-13): The Ethics of Helping (McKinnon)

This intensive weekend will address the issue of ethics and morality in the helping professions. We will examine moral and ethical dilemmas that have arisen in educational, medical, professional and personal contexts, extracting principles that have aided helpers in making difficult decisions that protect both their clients and themselves. We will investigate issues of power, trust, and attachment, alerting helpers about the ways that each can be manipulated and abused.

Unit 2 (May 2-4): Reducing Stress in Body & Mind (Cashman)

Stress is a universal experience of contemporary life. Medical researchers agree that chronic stress plays a significant role in the incidence of numerous stress related physical and mental health conditions. In this course you will learn how to tame the dragon of stress and take a pro-active role in creating holistic health. Drawing from the ancient yogic tradition and contemporary body-mind science, we will explore the physiology of the stress response and the application of therapeutic yoga practices to bring balance to body and mind. Required Text: Farhi, D. (2000). Yoga, Mind, Body and Spirit. Henry Holt & Co.

Unit 3 (May 16-18): Health vs. Wealth (Dean)

We will explore the intersection where valued health care meets paid health care. In the health care arena good intent is plagued by paradox and can yield to under-funding and a miss-match with initial intent. Reports from the Institute of Medicine will aid our journey and we will consider the path of unintended consequences where piles of dollars are not the answer to identified need. The system needs to be re-designed to bring value and outcome into alignment for the good of the patient and not primarily for the profit of the system. To appreciate current changes aimed at improving the system, we will view the P.B.S. sponsored “Remaking American Medicine”. We will also consider the contribution of complementary and alternative treatments in support of healthier communities.

Unit 4 (May 30-June 1): Conflict and Resolution (McKinnon)

Conflict is often perceived as a dysfunctional state in need of resolution. Is this always the case? How common is conflict, and what role does it play in social organization? Does it have any benefits that may offset some of the costs? What’s the relationship between conflict and cooperation? In this class we'll explore the value of conflict and the techniques for resolving it through increased communication skills and interest-based bargaining.