Purdue leadership course takes tips from 'Survivor'

Free from starvation and sleeping outdoors, students enrolled in a student leadership development class (EDPS 300A) watch episodes of "Survivor" and discuss them in class. The show airs at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students, teaches the course and finds reality television can offer more than just a way to pass an evening.

"Leadership lessons can be found anywhere, not just in a textbook," Malavenda said. "By using popular culture like books, movies or television shows, I can teach students to develop leadership skills and learn about leadership theories in a fun way."

Malavenda's students watch "Survivor" and then are asked to evaluate the group dynamics of the contestants and observe how leadership emerges with each survival challenge portrayed. Every Thursday when the show airs, he asks the students to compare the contestants' leadership styles with their own beliefs of what a successful, ethical leader should be and do.

Throughout the course, students also study prominent leaders in history, interview community leaders, participate in a community leadership project and examine the role leadership plays in their own lives.

By the end of the semester, Malavenda said students will have studied leadership from a broad perspective and, hopefully, be inspired to become active leaders in the Purdue community and later and life.

The 300-level class is open to students who are currently leaders or students who have an interest in leading.

To enroll in the class, contact Malavenda at (765) 494-1232 or pablo@purdue.edu.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Pablo Malavenda, (765) 494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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