Intellectual Leadership for Change and Transformation in (N)ature
Residential and Online Programs Available
In Summary?
A structured program of learning for those seeking a deep intellectual grounding to their practical and applied leadership of significant change and transformation in the contemporary world.
Importantly, and in contrast to many online and face to face learning opportunities, this experience culminates in the practical outcome of producing a personal Methodology of Change and Transformation that can be applied in your chosen area of desired influence.
Who will find the program valuable?
Anyone who performs, or wishes to develop their ability to preform, the role of an “intellectual leader”, with the aspiration to use this position to drive practical change and transformation.
Previous learners have included, company directors and entrepreneurs, central bankers, procurement professionals, as well as recent university graduates of subjects such as Global Sustainable Development, History, International Development, Law and Philosophy.
The practical outcome of providing a deeply considered and rigorous developed Personal Methodology for Change and Transformation means learning is guaranteed as applicable to any context that matters to you.
What is the Content Focus?
During this experience we explore how intellectual leaders might rigorously conceive socially positive change and transition, starting from first principles of philosophical reflection. We will consider historical and cross-cultural perspectives and undertake deep reflections on identity and power, as well as map and evaluate practical and effective methods of driving change and transformation, whatever the context.
The structured program provides 200 hours of learning, equating to 200 UK university credits at M level; or its various equivalents. We offer a fully residential and hybrid distance learning variations direct to individuals, and for formal credited learning through Higher Education Institutions.
Motivation and Content for the Course
Humans are now the primary agents of change on a planetary scale and at geological depth (Smithsonian 2013). However, the increase in material standards for some is offset and actively subsidised by the poor and declining life experience of others (ILO 2022; UN 2023). Moreover, evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that human agency drives the increasingly intensive breakdown of planetary support systems, resulting in a likely broadscale and existential period of social collapse (IPCC 2023).
Those aspiring to be intellectual and practical leaders in this context, be that in the spheres of citizenship, business and politics, need a distinctly new set of knowledges, understandings and tools to maximise their ‘positive’ contribution. We must avoid being well-meaning parts of the predicament, and develop urgent and appropiate mechanisms for a deep, meaningful, collective response. CATALN offers those aspiring to intellectual leadership of change and transformation a significant intellectual tool kit to advance this cause.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the experience, learners will:
- Understand and respond to the profound implications that the Anthropocene, including the Climate Emergency, creates for those aspiring to lead positive human change and transformation.
- Be able to identify, deconstruct and critically engage with existing normative discourses and their tools for the improvement of human lived experience.
- Think creatively to imagine alternative futures for the Anthropocene and evaluate them against normative principles.
- Apply a research grounded, transdisciplinary approach that reflects personal motivations to contribute towards positive change.
- Operate as deeply intellectual, reflective practitioners of effective change and transformation using a “personal methodologies” grounded in philosophical ideas, considering personal identity politics and wider issues of hard and soft power.
Indicative Weekly Syllabus
- Week 1: Introduction to Philosophies of Intellectual Leadership: Exploring human excellence and personal pride
- Week 2: Setting the “Anthropo’scene”: Understanding the context for change and transformation
- Week 3: Breaking all the Western “Rawls”: Developing a personal philosophy fit for the future
- Week 4: Sustainable Development: Critique of the continued “whiteman’s burden”
- Week 5: Subaltern Cultures of Progress and Improvement: Decentring discourses and practices of improvement
- Week 6: Problem-based and response-focused thinking
- Week 7: Change Making in this skin: interpersonal politics of identity and agency
- Week 8: Governing Transitions: Individuals and Markets, States, Structures, Institutions and power
- Week 9: Bottom Up: Social Movements, Radical Action and Extra-legal measures for change.
- Week 10: Learning Evaluation: Personal Methodologies of Change and Transformation
- Assessment Period: Develop and submit Personal Methodologies of Change and Transformation.
How do I Enrol?
First, why not participate in the first week of the above program for free, this will help you decide if the experience is right for you. You can access the experience here.
