Course Catalog

Students choose one of four leadership focused courses to take during their time in Taos at the leadership institute. Each course represents a different school at SMU, however students do NOT need to take the school they are a major in. It is highly encouraged for students to pursue classes outside their typical school to broaden their perspectives. 

Leadership Institute Courses 2027 - Coming Soon!

AMAE 3387 Principles of Creative Entrepreneurship and Attracting Capital 

Professor Jim Hart

What You Will Learn:

  • How to think and create entrepreneurially, regardless of your major.
  • Practical skills: branding, crowdfunding, pitching to investors.
  • How to act as an "entrepreneur" to add value in any organization.
  • Key topics like leveraging assets, website creation, and navigating startups. 

How You Will Learn:  

  •  Through games, simulations, and experiential exercises.
  • Real-world field trips to creative hubs like Meow Wolf.  

  • Hands-on activities exploring time-tested entrepreneurial methods. 

 

 

Fulfills: 

  • Common Curriculum: Oral Communications (OC) 
  • Required for CCPA Social Innovation and Creative and Arts Entrepreneurship Majors 
  • Elective Credit for CCPA and Nonprofit and Arts Leadership Majors/Minors 

 

 

 

CEE 2302 Authentic Leadership

Professor Barbara Minsker

What You Will Learn:  

  • Key traits of authentic leadership, including self-awareness and emotional intelligence. 
  • Skills in teamwork, empathic listening, inclusivity, and conflict resolution.  
  • Strategies for building trust, ethics, and compassion in diverse communities.  

  • Personal clarity on values, purpose, and mindfulness for better decision-making. 

How You Will Learn: 

  • Through community engagement and service-learning projects in underserved areas. 
  • Through cross-disciplinary collaboration with UNIV 3305 Personal Responsibility and Community.   
  • Journaling, discussions, and the Koru Mindfulness Program from Duke University. 

  • Interactions with local leaders sharing real-world challenges and solutions. 

     

    Fulfills: 

    • Common Curriculum: Community Engagement (CE) and Human Diversity (HD)
    • Computer Science Majors and Minors

    MNO 3375 Corporate and Social Responsibility and Ethical Leadership 

    Professor Heath Clayton

    What You Will Learn:  

    • Contemporary challenges in business ethics and corporate social responsibility. 
    • How companies create social impact beyond profits, using New Mexico as a case study. 
    • Tools for fostering inclusive workplaces, philanthropy, and community support. 

    • Personal ethics awareness and strategies to address issues like colonialism and racism. 

    How You Will Learn:  

    • Examining real-life examples from New Mexico's economy and Native American legacy. 
    • Group discussions on adapting to ethical dilemmas and policy issues.
    • Final project: Partnering with a local business to create social impact for Native communities.

     
    Fulfills: 
    • Common Curriculum: Writing (W), Civic & Individual Ethics (CIE) 
    • Business, Human Rights, and CCPA Majors and Minors 

     

    PSYC 3363 Psychology of Conflict Resolution

    Professor Chris Logan 

    What You Will Learn:  

    • Research and theories on the psychology of interpersonal conflict.  
    • Skills for resolving, managing, or avoiding conflicts in relationships.  
    • Techniques like mindful communication, perspective-taking, and negotiation.  

    • Tools to enhance success in business and personal interactions. 

      How You Will Learn:  
      • Exploring psychological concepts through interactive discussions and case studies.
      • Practical exercises in communication and negotiation. 
      • Applying theories to real professional and personal scenarios

       
      Fulfills: 

      • Common Curriculum:Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), Oral Communication (OC) 
      • Psychology Majors/Minors

      UNIV 3305 Personal Responsibility and Community

      Professor Jan Mallett

      What You Will Learn:  

      • How personal mindsets, choices, and behaviors impact lives and communities. 
      • Critical thinking about values, beliefs, and identities in social contexts. 

      • Asset-Based Community Development Model for addressing community needs.

      • Reflection skills for lifelong personal and communal growth. 

      How You Will Learn:  

      • Through community engagement and service-learning projects in underserved areas 
      • Through cross-disciplinary collaboration with CEE 2302 Authentic Leadership.  

      • Discussions, critical analyses, and real-world application of coursework. 

      • Reflective processes to connect class content with personal experiences. 

       
      Fulfills: 
      • Common Curriculum: Community Engagement (CE), Civic & Individual Ethics (CIE), Oral Communication (OC)