Content Category
Rhetoric & Writing
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this curriculum is to create leadership that not only succeeds, but endures. Through research, I conclude that creating this type of leader, and in turn, this type of leadership requires a blend of rhetorical and ethical study. Rhetoric does not mean just words, and it certainly does not mean just eloquence; rhetoric is the combination of one’s words, one’s thoughts—even one’s life. Rhetoric is essential to true and effective leadership: in fact, leadership is impossible without a consistent, wholesome rhetoric. Just as important to leadership is ethics. As good rhetoric fuels good leadership, good ethics fuels good rhetoric. Before leading anyone, people must be able to govern, or lead, themselves. By training leaders in rhetoric and ethics, they develop not only the character, but the behaviors and skills to lead effectively. This curriculum provides this type of wholistic training for youth, where rhetoric and ethics combine to craft leaders. The curriculum draws from rhetorical study in renaissance and modern texts as well as ethical study in scriptural and non-religious texts, mixed with activities to inspire the necessary qualities of leadership. By the end of this curriculum, even teens are prepared to lead in a way that endures, whether that be in church organizations, school clubs, missions, the family, or the community. They will lead with kindness and humility, but careful observation and planning. They will be able to lead because they will have sound judgment; discernment; accountability; people-focus; endurance and motivation; planning and modeling skills; and ability to collect, analyze, and present information clearly.
Copyright and Licensing of My Content
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Origin of Submission
as part of a class
Faculty Involvement
Dr. Nancy Christiansen
Leadership Curriculum: A Study of Rhetoric and Ethics to Inspire and Achieve Hope
The purpose of this curriculum is to create leadership that not only succeeds, but endures. Through research, I conclude that creating this type of leader, and in turn, this type of leadership requires a blend of rhetorical and ethical study. Rhetoric does not mean just words, and it certainly does not mean just eloquence; rhetoric is the combination of one’s words, one’s thoughts—even one’s life. Rhetoric is essential to true and effective leadership: in fact, leadership is impossible without a consistent, wholesome rhetoric. Just as important to leadership is ethics. As good rhetoric fuels good leadership, good ethics fuels good rhetoric. Before leading anyone, people must be able to govern, or lead, themselves. By training leaders in rhetoric and ethics, they develop not only the character, but the behaviors and skills to lead effectively. This curriculum provides this type of wholistic training for youth, where rhetoric and ethics combine to craft leaders. The curriculum draws from rhetorical study in renaissance and modern texts as well as ethical study in scriptural and non-religious texts, mixed with activities to inspire the necessary qualities of leadership. By the end of this curriculum, even teens are prepared to lead in a way that endures, whether that be in church organizations, school clubs, missions, the family, or the community. They will lead with kindness and humility, but careful observation and planning. They will be able to lead because they will have sound judgment; discernment; accountability; people-focus; endurance and motivation; planning and modeling skills; and ability to collect, analyze, and present information clearly.