EDUC 5336: Educational LeadershipClass 4

Tuesday, September 30, 3008Dr. J. BarnettDr. J. Barnett

Getting the Synapses Working….

• Make a T chart

• In small groups, from the perspective of a graduate student discuss and answer:

How is my life like a machine (rational, orderly)?

How is my life like a weather system (unpredictable, uncontrollable, with crises)?

Dr. J. Barnett

Paradigm

• A lens you examine through

Dr. J. Barnett

Positivist Paradigm

Looking at Leadership

There are universal

truths in what it

means to be

a leader

The truths are

generalizable to other contexts

Leadership can be

examined separate from its context

Predict and describe

behaviour/ traits of leaders /

leadership

Dr. J. Barnett

Social Constructivist Paradigm

Looking at Leadership

Reality is a social and

cultural construct

Leadership is social

constructs developed

through interactions

Context is Vital

Leadership is not real but is

actions and processes

attributed to others

Language Discourse tells us a

lot

Perspectives of Leaders

Dr. J. Barnett

Critical Paradigm

Looking at Leadership

Power dynamics

need to develop new constructs /

ideas

is political and a form of activism;

activism by resistance and

change

Research is not value free

deconstruct hidden

assumptions / class based

society

Marxism; how economics, capital and market drive the social

Feminist theory – Critical Race Theory – Critical Cultural Studies ….

Oppression exists – need to bring about empowerment

Dr. J. Barnett

Postmodern Paradigm

Looking at Leadership

emphasis on the subjective and

local experiences, history and

context, fluidity and change

universal truths don’t

exist beyond our perception

s

Bring Norms to light so they

can be examined

the ability of people to share

their existence

Focus on the direction for leadership;

should come from the community of

practiceDr. J. Barnett

Task

• Group A - take the Positivist Approach

• Group B - take the Social Constructivist Approach

• Group C - take the Critical Approach

• Group D - take the Postmodern Approach

Dr. J. Barnett