Content

In this unit the student will carry out a participative action research intervention in the student’s own organisation, with the support of group spiritual direction. This intervention is designed to bring about an organisational transformation. The student will articulate how the intervention evolved and the subsequent impact of the intervention.

Unit code: DS9161J

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Spirituality

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Jesuit College of Spirituality

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Learning outcomes

1.

Design and undertake an effective intervention in an organisation, using appropriate action research methods

2.

Analyse the organisational intervention through developing, testing and modifying working hypotheses as a basis for further action

3.

Illustrate, by way of a work journal, how they have provided effective leadership of organisational transformation

4.

Work transparently and constructively with challenges, criticisms and conflict

5.

Demonstrate how Ignatian spirituality was integrated into and informed their organisational transformation project

Unit sequence

Prohibited combinations: old codes: DS9132J / DS9139J

Pedagogy

The face-to-face unit will be offered as a five-day intensive. A significant proportion of each day of the intensive will be devoted to: (i) the lecturer’s input on the theoretical understanding of organisational change from an Ignatian perspective, (ii) guided reading, (iii) personal reflection, and (iv) facilitated interaction in eight weekly 1.5 hour group sessions of role consultation after the intensive

Indicative Bibliography

  • Coghlan, David & Teresa Brannick. Doing Action Research in Your Own Organisation. London: SAGE Publications, 2005. (recommended for purchase)
  • Coghlan, David. “Ignatian Spirituality as Transformational Social Science,” in Action Research Vol 3 (1) 89-89. London: Sage Publications, 2011.
  • Delbecq, André, Elizabeth Liebert, John Mostyn, Paul C. Nutt, & Gordan Walter, “Discernment and Strategic Decision Making: Reflections for a Spirituality of Organizational Leadership,” in Moses L. Pava, Patrick Primeaux (eds.) Spiritual Intelligence At Work: Meaning, Metaphor, and Morals (Research In Ethical Issues In Organizations, Volume 5) London: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2003, 139 – 174.
  • Liebert, Elizabeth “Discernment for Our Times: A Practice with Postmodern Implications.” Studies in Spirituality 18, 2008, 333-35.
  • Long, Susan. “Action Research, Participative Action Research and Action Learning on Organisations” in Yiannis Gabriel (ed.) Organizations in Depth: The Psychoanalysis of Organizations. London: SAGE Publications, 2004. (recommended for purchase)
  • Long, Susan. “Drawing from Role Biography in Organisational Role Analysis” in John Newton, Susan Long, & Burkard Sievers (eds). Coaching in Depth: The Organisational Role Analysis Method. London: Karnac, 2006.
  • Long, Susan. “Role Biography, Role History and the Reflection Group” in Susan Long (ed) Socioanalytic Methods. London: Karnac, 2013.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

5000-word integrative essay

5000 80.0
Forum

Engagement with and contribution to (i) sharing groups during the five-day intensive, and (ii) 8 weekly 1.5 hour group role consultations after the five-day intensive equivalent to 1000 words

1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2016

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 11:18:48 +1100