Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership

• General Information 
• Program Features 
• General Regulations 
• Curriculum 
• Minor in Leadership Studies 
• Certificate in Leadership Studies 

Renaissance College

Faculty

Dean: Carol Nemeroff, BA (McGill), MA (UPennsylvania), PhD (UPennsylvania)

• Mira Bachvarova, BA (Trent), MA (Carleton), PhD (Queen's)
• Ola Tjornbo, BA (Cambridge), MSci (Stockholm), PhD (Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo/Wilfred Laurier)
• Julia Fursova, BSc (University of Medicine), M. Adult Education (St. FX), PhD (York)

General Information

The Renaissance College Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Leadership Program is a 126 credit hour program. Renaissance College courses take the form of seminars, forums, and internships, and are complemented by other UNB courses for the required minor and electives. Graduates of the Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership gain knowledge and experience in the field of leadership studies, knowledge in another discipline equivalent to at least a UNB minor, and an integrative, interdisciplinary understanding of a broad range of current societal issues.

Program Features

• An understanding of leadership across different situations and cultures
• A breadth of interdisciplinary knowledge in the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities
• A wide selection of elective courses providing students with the opportunity for depth in a disciplinary or professional area
• An emphasis on experiential forms of education to enhance learning
• Activities to enhance the student's physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social aspects of personal well-being
• A self-reflective, metacognitive approach to meeting designated knowledge-based and experiential learning outcomes
• A Canadian internship designed to provide practical work and leadership experience
• An international internship designed to foster multiple cross-cultural perspectives
• The program can be completed in an accelerated three-year plan by taking intensive summer internships following academic years 1 and 2
• A wide range of community-based partners share their special expertise and will help to situate learning in a practical context

General Regulations

Any point not covered by the General Regulations of Renaissance College will be governed by the General University Regulations stated in Section B of the Undergraduate Calendar. Questions concerning the application of university regulations should be directed to the Registrar in writing.

To earn a Bachelor of Philosophy degree (in Interdisciplinary Leadership) a student must demonstrate, in a summative portfolio, growth and competence in each of the program’s designated learning outcomes. Within the context of Interdisciplinary Leadership studies, students are to achieve growth and competency in the following learning outcomes: Knowing Oneself and Others, Effective Citizenship, Problem Solving, Multi-Literacy, Personal Well-Being, and Social Interaction. The summative portfolio is completed in the final year of study.

1. The Renaissance College degree program is designated as a limited enrolment program and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Normally, not more than thirty students will be admitted in any academic year.
2. The maximum time period between the first registration in the Renaissance College program and the completion of the degree is seven (7) years.
3. Few prerequisites are specified; it is expected that students will ordinarily take courses in the normal sequence and exceptions will require the permission of the Dean and instructor of the course.
4. In exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of the Dean, alternative arrangements may be made in lieu of the Canadian internship or international internship to meet degree requirements.
5. Where the educational objectives of a course will be best served by limiting enrolment in the course, the Dean may approve a limited enrolment for the course.
6. In course offerings of other Faculties/Departments, students must meet the prerequisite and other requirements of that Faculty/Department.
7. Each student's program of study must be approved by the College advisor.
8. A minimum grade of C will be required for all courses that are used to meet the core requirements of the program and courses judged to be ‘equivalent’ to RCLP courses as part of credit transfer.
9. Students must be in good academic standing (min. 2.0 assessment GPA) in order to register in RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship. Failure to meet preparatory course requirements could lead to disqualification from participation in the Canadian internship. Any costs incurred by the student up to the point of disqualification are the sole responsibility of the student. A student who fails to qualify will normally be expected to take RCLP 2023 the following year.
10. In order for students to register in RCLP 3046, students must a) achieve a minimum grade of B (3.0) in RCLP 2023, and b) achieve a term GPA of 2.7 in the fall term preceding the internship or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7. Failure to meet preparatory course requirements could lead to disqualification from participation in the international internship. Any costs incurred by the student up to the point of disqualification are the sole responsibility of the student. A student who fails to qualify will normally be expected to take RCLP 3046 the following year.
11. RCLP 2051 Research Paradigms and Methods is a core component of the BPhil degree, however, students may take a Research Methods course in their minor, in another UNB faculty, or outside of UNB. This substitution must be done in consultation with the College Coordinator.

Curriculum

Core Courses

RCLP 1001 Leadership Foundations 3 ch
RCLP 1011 Worldviews, Religions and Cultures 3 ch
RCLP 1020 Canadian Internship Preparation 0 ch
RCLP 1021 Concepts of Enhancing Personal Well-Being 3 ch
RCLP 1052 Quantitative Approaches to Problem-Solving 3 ch
RCLP 1062 Citizenship and Community 3 ch
RCLP 1111 Introductory Leadership Forum 9 ch
RCLP 2001 Practicing Leadership in Community Projects 3 ch
RCLP 2014 Democracy and Public Policy in Canada 3 ch
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship 12 ch
RCLP 2046 International Internship Preparation 0 ch
RCLP 2051 Research Paradigms and Methods 3 ch
RCLP 3002 Leadership in Cross-Cultural Contexts 3 ch
RCLP 3015 Democracy and Global Policy 3 ch
RCLP 3046 International Internship 12 ch
RCLP 4002 Leadership for Social Innovation 3 ch
RCLP 4028 Community Problem-Solving and Research Project 6 ch
RCLP 4043 Interdisciplinary Leadership Seminar 3 ch
RCLP 4045 Summative Learning Portfolio 3 ch

Total credit hours of core courses is 78 ch

Electives

Electives shall constitute a minimum 48 credit hours, with at least 24 ch assigned to a concentration equivalent to a UNB Minor Program, and at least 9 ch assigned to RCLP electives.

Within the electives, at least 3 ch are assigned to a science course. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking either RCLP 3043 Science and Society, or a science course in another faculty.

Minor in Leadership Studies

The Renaissance College Minor in Leadership Studies is an interdisciplinary program offered to students registered in other degree programs at UNB. The Minor consists of 8 RCLP courses (24 ch) as outlined below and a minimum grade of C is required for all courses. Students are advised that in order to complete the minor they may need to take more than the usual number of credit hours required by their degree program. Students should check with their faculty advisor and the Renaissance College, Student Services and Outreach Coordinator.

Leadership Studies Minor Required Courses:

RCLP 1001 Leadership Foundation 3 ch

At least two of:
RCLP 1011 Worldviews, Religions and Cultures 3 ch
RCLP 1062 Citizenship and Community 3 ch
RCLP 2001 Practicing Leadership in Community Projects 3 ch
At least 9 ch at the 3000 or 4000 level

Normally RCLP 1001 is taken as the first course towards completion of the minor. With the approval of the Renaissance College Student Services and Outreach Coordinator, up to 6 ch of courses from other faculties with relevant leadership content may be counted toward the minor.

Certificate in Leadership Studies

The Certificate in Leadership Studies (CLS) is designed to develop the capacity of current UNB students and professionals to exercise effective leadership in their professional, personal, and civic lives. In addition to foundational leadership theory, sutdents will learn key interpersonal and intrapersonal leadership skills including how to work in teams to solve problems. Students will develop their ability to use concepts of self-awareness, engaged citizenship in their work and personal lives, and grow a range of communication skills. Students enrolled in the Certificate program will bring this knowledge and skill together to exercise leadership in a variety of contexts.

The Certificate in Leadership Studies requires the following 15 ch of RCLP courses, including:

RCLP 1001 Leadership Foundations 3 ch
At least one of the following:
RCLP 1011 Worldviews, Religions, and Cultures 3 ch
RCLP 1062 Citizenship and Community 3 ch
RCLP 2001 Practicing Leadership in Community Projects 3 ch
At least 3 ch at the 3000 or 4000 level

Normally, RCLP 1001 is taken as the first course towards completion of the certificate. With the approval of the college coordinator, up to 3 ch of courses from other faculties with relevant leadership content may be counted toward the Certificate.

A minimum grade of C is required in all courses.

To be considered for admission, applicants must satisfy the minimum admission requirements defined for this certificate.* Applicants 21 years of age and over by the session for which acceptance is sought, may be considered for admission as a mature applicant. All admissions are subject to faculty approval.

Currently enrolled UNB students completing the Certificate concurrently with their undergraduate degree program are advised that in order to complete the certificate they may need to take more than the usual number of credit hours required by their degree program. Students should check with their faculty advisor as well as the Renaissance College Student Services and Outreach Coordinator.

*Minimum admission requirements for the certificate are:

• English 122/Français 10411 (min. grade of 60%)
• Four electives - Group 1
• One elective - Group 1, 2, or 3.