This one credit course (WOST 300) offered in the women’s studies department is taught each fall semester by Kathleen Grove, Director, IU Indianapolis Office for Women, on three consecutive Friday afternoons.
In this class, we review key leadership theories and study the research on primary obstacles women face in advancement. Skill development and practice, with a focus on negotiation and communication skills is also included. Several guest speakers talk about their career experiences and leadership journeys.
Research has shown that there is a constellation of reasons that women are not promoted and rewarded on a par with men in the work force. Gender role expectations create subtle and unconscious barriers, sex discrimination persists, and institutions lack policies that enable employees to adequately meet and mesh personal and work responsibilities which has a disparate impact on women who usually assume family care-taking responsibilities.
This class will help women understand what potential roadblocks they might face and how to steer around them as well as what the best routes to advancement are.