GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education
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This module aims to develop the leadership of students through service learning to the local community by utilising an innovative approach. The module is divided into two parts. The first part examines the theoretical and conceptual approaches of leadership and innovation in community services. Then students are required to form teams to serve social service organizations by applying theories, concepts and skills taught in Part I to design and implement mutually agreed-upon projects. Throughout the entire service project, all parties to the arrangement are seen as learners and facilitators as well as servers and served. Ultimately, it is expected that students are able to develop a long-term civil commitment to the well-being and betterment of society.
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
a. Examine the leadership attributes intrinsic to effective and innovative leaders, including leadership competence, moral character, and caring disposition
b. Broaden students’ learning about local community through guided discussion and reflection;
c. Apply knowledge and skills of leadership, innovation and service learning to plan and provide relevant services for the specifically marginalized groups in local community;
d. Undergo self-reflection to develop self-awareness of sharing and empathy to others and the community.
1. Definitions and conceptions of innovative leadership
1.1 Nature and rationales of leadership
1.2 Core beliefs and components
1.3 Relevance of innovative leadership to university students and graduates in Hong Kong
2. Critical perspectives on service and community
2.1 Politics, privilege and identity
2.2 Cultural competence and cultural humility in community studies
2.3 Advocacy and social change
2.4 Building community from the inside- out
3. Service project-specific knowledge and skills ✓
3.1 Design Thinking Fundamentals: an innovative and client-oriented perspective
3.2 Leadership competencies and interpersonal skills in service delivery
3.3 Health, safety and other issues related to service activities
3.4 Moral and ethical concerns in service activities
4. From service learning to service leadership
4.1 From empathy to civil commitment
4.2 Innovation and the betterment of society
1. Assignment (20%)
2. Group presentation (10%)
3. Group proposal for social innovation (20%)
4. Personal reflective journal (30%)
5. Performance in service project (20%)
Reference materials:
1. Deeley, S.J. (2015). Critical perspectives on service learning in higher education. UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
2. Gill, R. (2011). Theory and practice of leadership. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.
3. Gronfeldt, S., & Strother, J. (2006). Service leadership: The quest for competitive advantage. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.
4. Greenleaf, R., & Spears, L. (1998). The power of servant-leadership : Essays. San Francisco, Calif.: Berrett-Koehler.
5. McKnight, J. (2013). Community organizing: Theory and practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ : Pearson Education
6. Meade, R., Shaw, M., & Banks, S. (2016). Politics, power and community development (Rethinking community development). Bristol, UK : Policy Press
7. Pressman, A. (2019). Design Thinking (1st ed.). Milton: Routledge.
8. Shek, D., & Chung, P. (2015). Promoting Service Leadership Qualities in University Students : The Case of Hong Kong (Vol. 6). Singapore: Springer.
9. Weil, M. (2014). The Handbook of Community Practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
