PSYN 293 - Topics in Women Studies

Credit(s): 3
3 hours lecture, 3 hours contact
Over the last 60 years, women have made tremendous strides in the ability to shape their destinies. Today women are represented in all sectors of society, at all levels of organizations, and they are taking on important leadership roles in these settings. Historically, however, women have had less access to leadership positions than men. This history continues to be an important aspect of life in organizations and for women in particular. This class will examine the personal, social, and structural dynamics that differentially affect women and men as leaders, particularly in terms of how they are viewed, how their contributions are evaluated, and what kinds of opportunities are available to them. Topics that will be addressed include how gender and leadership are constructed, the leadership styles of men and women, gender and leadership in the workplace, the political sphere, and the global community, the legal history of women in the workplace, and how women succeed as leaders. In this class, students will also explore their own leadership attributes and develop an understanding of who they are as leaders in the context of these theories.