Career Planning & Ethics in Religious Leadership
Career Planning & Ethics in Religious Leadership
Course Code: SLS 2261
Delivery Mode: Fully Online (Asynchronous with Optional Live Sessions)
Credit Hours: 3
Course Duration: 15 Weeks
Delivery: Online
Course Description:
This course, delivered entirely online, is designed to guide students through a personal and professional journey of career exploration within the realm of religious leadership. It emphasizes both practical career planning tools and a strong ethical foundation, rooted in Sikh teachings and universal moral principles. Through multimedia content, virtual discussions, and digital collaboration, students will develop a personalized career plan while critically engaging with the ethics of leadership.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand vocational possibilities within religious and interfaith communities.
- Conduct a self-assessment using online tools to align career goals with personal values.
- Apply Sikh ethical principles to real-world leadership challenges.
- Create a detailed online career portfolio with a personal mission statement.
- Reflect on the moral responsibilities of religious leadership in a digital age.
Weekly Breakdown & Online Activities:
| Week | Topic | Online Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation & Introduction to the Course | Welcome video, forum introduction, syllabus quiz |
| 2 | What is a Calling? Vocation in Sikh Thought | Video lecture, reading, discussion post |
| 3 | Self-Discovery & Strengths Assessment | StrengthsFinder/MBTI, reflection journal |
| 4 | Career Paths in Religious and Interfaith Leadership | Interactive module, guest video, quiz |
| 5 | Setting Career Goals & Career Mapping | SMART goal-setting workshop (Google Docs), peer feedback |
| 6 | Writing Your CV & Personal Statement | Resume builder tools, peer review activity |
| 7 | Sikh Leadership: Role Models & Theory | Video lecture, reading from Sikh texts, discussion board |
| 8 | Ethics in Leadership | Case study analysis, interactive quiz |
| 9 | Sikh Ethical Frameworks | Gurbani reflection journal, ethics quiz |
| 10 | Real-World Ethical Dilemmas | Case scenario role-play (forum), video response |
| 11 | Communication & Conflict Resolution | Video scenarios, conflict resolution worksheet |
| 12 | Digital Seva & Online Ministry | Podcast episode, interactive map activity |
| 13 | Practicum Proposal / Mentor Interview | Interview a leader via Zoom, submit summary |
| 14 | Final Presentation (Recorded) | Upload presentation video, peer comments |
| 15 | Ethical Commitment & Course Wrap-Up | Mission statement (Google Doc), course evaluation |
Assessment Breakdown (Online Format):
| Assessment | Weight | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Reflections (5 entries) | 15% | Google Docs + LMS Upload |
| Career Planning Portfolio | 25% | Google Slides or ePortfolio tool |
| Ethics Case Study (Video/Essay) | 20% | Video upload or PDF |
| Recorded Presentation | 15% | Video (YouTube private or LMS upload) |
| Final Exam (Open-book, timed) | 25% | LMS quiz tool |
Technology & Tools:
- LMS Access: Moodle / Canvas / Google Classroom
- Tools: Google Workspace, Canva (for CV), Zoom (for interviews), YouTube (unlisted uploads)
- Assessment Submission: Through LMS with due dates and feedback rubrics
Learning Resources (All Digital):
Core:
- PDF textbook: "The Sikh Way to Leadership" – Digital copy provided
- eBook: Ethics for the New Millennium by Dalai Lama
- Online Gurbani resource (e.g., srigranth.org or SikhNet)
Supplemental:
- Weekly video lectures by instructor and guests
- Podcast: Ethics in Action (custom series)
- Google Drive folder of templates and career planning guides
Instructor Presence & Support:
- Weekly Announcements with guidance and recaps
- Bi-weekly live office hours via Zoom (optional)
- Email and LMS messaging support within 24–48 hours
- Feedback on major assignments within 1 week
Accessibility & Inclusivity:
- All video content includes closed captions
- Documents are compatible with screen readers
- Assignments allow flexible formats (video, audio, text)
Final Deliverables:
- Personal Career Plan (digital portfolio or PDF)
- 3–5 minute video presentation
- Written ethical mission statement (inspired by Sikh principles)