Curriculum
The River Leadership School is limited to 12 places per year. This is to ensure that the curriculum is presented in a personable and specialised manner designed to fit your specific God-shaped life. The curriculum consists of up to 12 modules taking the format of lectures and book-based group discussions, tutorials and one Reflective Dissertation.
The Leadership Modules provide a conceptual understanding of leadership, enabling students to grasp the nature, purpose and mechanics of leadership. This informs the practical elements of the program, empowering students to deconstruct their social environment and lead effectively. Modules include: Introduction to leadership and leadership theory, Leading yourself, Leadership skills, 360 degree Leadership, My leadership DNA and Case studies in leadership.
The Spiritual Development Modules enable students to not only do things right, but to do the right thing, fostering a sense of Christ-like character, Spirit-led purpose, and the reality of being God-centred into your leadership. Modules include: Principles of spiritual formation, Biblical studies, Leadership character, Spiritual leadership, The heart of a leader and Leading in the world while not of the world.
The Reflective Dissertation is the climax of the RLS studies. It represents the students development of their personal leadership approach developed over the year and acts as a portfolio for future development and for potential employers.
It is a combination of the following 5 elements:
1. Learning log
After certain classes students are asked to write a short essay (200-400 words) on a set question. These are designed to ensure students engage with important issues facing leaders and to understand, articulate and discuss issues in leadership theory and their relationship with the practice of leadership.
2. Reflective journal
Each week students are required to make an entry into their leadership journal, fostering the practice of self-awareness and ensuring they are connected to their ‘inner theatre.’ Each entry is centred on a leadership thought piece that helps students thoughtfully build their basic leadership assumptions, perspectives and practices helping them to deconstruct their environment.
3. Action development review
Each term, with the assistance of the faculty and their department leaders, students put together an action development plan consisting of goals and aspects of their personal leadership they believe they need to develop over the next term. This is reviewed and marked by their department leader and the Dean of Students who will also give feedback.
4. Reflective essay
At the end of the final term a reflective essay will be set by the faculty designed to help student crystallize what they have learned into actionable behaviour for the rest of their lives.
5. Review of psychometric tests
During the course of the year students will undergo various psychometric tests which help to locate their learning preference, leadership style, and base personality.