53:620:677:Sec.W6:99182 BSB 334

W hen Work Matters:
An Exploration of Spirituality
at Work

Course Information

This course explores our spirituality and how it impacts the way we work, where we work and what we do. Here are a few questions that we will tackle:

¡ What is spirituality and how does it relate to our work? 

¡ How does the pursuit of meaning impact the way we do business? 

¡ How can business be a platform for practicing our highest beliefs?

¡ How can spirituality and profitability be powerful allies?

This course is practical. Along with standard academic work, the course requires a willingness to be introspective and participate actively in class.

We will follow non-standard scheduling and attendance is critical to the success of the class. Be sure to check the schedule prior to enrollment to be sure you can commit to the class. Attendance at first session is required.

Class Schedule: Attendance of first session is mandatory

Session Dates		Location Weekday classes meet in the Business & Science Building (Room to be announced) at 3rd and Penn Streets; Saturday sessions will meet offsite. We will agree on a location at the first class meeting. Meeting Times
Wednesday, December 23, 2009	5:30- 8:30 pm
Monday January 4, 2010	5:30 -9:45 pm
Wednesday, January 6, 2010	5:30-9:45 pm
Friday , January 8, 2010	5:30-9:45 pm
Saturday January 9, 2010	8:30 am- 4:15 pm
Monday January 11, 2010	5:30- 9:45pm
Wednesday, January 13, 2010	5:30- 9:45pm
Friday January 15, 2010	5:30- 9:45pm
Saturday January 16, 2010	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Purpose of the Course

The purpose of the class is to address these questions.

§ What is Spirituality?

§ How do we practice spirituality at work?

§ How do we apply these concepts in organizations?

Reading +

Book	A book of your choosing that relates to spirituality at work. Examples of books chosen by previous students include: Making a Life, Mark Albion Spiritual Fitness, Caroline Reynolds Spiritual Intelligence, Dana Zohar and Ian Marshall, MD Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White If You Meet Buddha on the Road, Kill Him, Sheldon Kopp A Spiritual Audit of Corporate America, Ian Mitroff and Elizabeth A. Denton Instructor will provide additional materials
Daily Meditation Guide	Students are asked to use a daily mediation guide. Daily mediation books are usually set up with a reading for each day of the year. You simply read the reading for the day that corresponds with a particular date. There are many great books to choose from. Ways I know for finding a guide is by a referral, using a guide that you already have or browsing. Find one that you feel comfortable with, both in terms of philosophy, content and layout. Personally, I prefer shorter readings.
Inspiration	You will be asked to present something from your life that gives your life meaning and direction. For example, it can be a relationship, a piece of art, or music. This serves as another resource to help us define spirituality and achieve the course objectives.

Course Actions

Activity	Due Date	Grading Weight
Practice We will be developing and experimenting with a business spiritual “practice” (the mode in which we incorporate ideas and principles into our personal and business lives). This course is about action and developing business spiritual practices is a key element to taking action. Journaling A commitment to writing daily in our journals throughout the course Meditation Practice daily meditation exercises “Peer Inner-views” Conduct 3 interviews with peers, leaders or mentors around their practice of spirituality at work and provide write-ups of interviews. Reflect on the interview; what did you learn from them; what does it change about your understanding of spirituality at work and your spiritual practice; how has it changed your relationship to this person; what did I learn about myself? Share quotes, anecdotes and stories that you shared. Please keep presentation to 10 minutes. Daily check-in and self assessment	On-going	45
Presentations Each student will have an opportunity to present 3 presentations. The topics include: My Journey: telling and discovering your “story” Peer Interview presentation or Create a book fair booth Book Fair We are building a library of resources so that we can help others and deepen our knowledge. Inspirational material presentation is on an ad hoc basis Case Study; each student will present a current business situation. As a class we will analyze through the lens of spirituality and develop strategies for applying the concepts we are developing.	Schedule will be determined first night of course	45

Final Project Options Develop your own spirituality in business model: Your concepts, principles, tools, stories, definitions, spread sheets, research, resources/readings, celebration, alters, roles people play, assessment, … Xtreme Business Makeover: Break into teams and “make-over” a business through the principles, concepts and tools we have experimented and reviewed. Spirituality in Business Guide Book As a class we will select a group final project. The purpose of the final project is to help others understand and apply spirituality in business. Projects in the past include a one day public retreat, an educational CD and creation of a website to promote spirituality at work.	1/16/10	45
Attendance and class participation* The success of this course is completely dependent on the active participation of the class members; sharing our personal insights, active dialogue, and exploring new concepts. *Because of the compressed schedule, missing a single class session may result in a full letter grade drop from otherwise earned points.	Throughout	45
Self Assessment At the end of the course you will be asked to submit a self assessment of your participation in the course.	Completion of Course	20
Total Maximum reward is available to those who turn the work in on time. The maximum points available for each activity is reduced 10% for each class meeting after the due date, until it is received.  Fees During our off-site retreats, there may be an activity fee associated with the days. Costs range $50 to $75.		200

Instructor:  Evan Marcus

Company Profile

DillonMarcus, Ltd. helps business leaders do things smarter, work together better and make more money through the use of Executive Retreats. Solid in their conviction that spending “block” time away from the office 2-3 times a year actually accelerates a team’s ability to achieve core business objectives, DillonMarcus works with senior leaders who believe in the return on this type of investment.

Client Listing

American Cancer Society ARAMARK AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals AT&T Aventis British Airways Commerce Bank

Cozen O’Connor GlaxoSmithKline GE Capital Mortgage, Inc. McNeil Consumer Healthcare Meeting Planners International Philadelphia BAR Association WHYY

Biography

Evan Marcus a leader in the field of experiential learning, is sought out by clients who are seeking new approaches to fundamental business challenges. A partner in DillonMarcus, he has spent the last 20 years designing corporate retreats and facilitating team-building programs that yield results. Early in his career Evan studied with a number of seminal figures in their respective disciplines -- including Dr. Will Schultz and Dr. Arthur Green, world-renowned scholars in the field of personal transformation and group dynamics. Evan’s master’s thesis, “Mental Preparation in Elite Athletes” convinced him that setting intentions and cultivating focus are essential ingredients for realizing potential.

With a MA in Somatic Psychology from Antioch University, a BA in Judaic Studies from Hofstra University and 3 years at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Evan draws upon his rich educational background and broad work experience to help his clients determine and address critical issues impacting themselves and their organizations. He challenges clients to discover the root causes of their problems and helps them identify the simplest solutions for solving them.

An experienced business owner himself, Evan advises individuals and organizations who are interested in taking their company to the next level or who are struggling to achieve work-life balance. Evan is an adjunct professor at the Rutgers School of Business in their MBA program where he specializes in Corporate Culture, where he teaches “When Work Matters, An Exploration of Spirituality at Work. Evan is co-author of “It’s O.K. to Play: 30 Days to a Ridiculously Wonderful Life.” Evan’s greatest joy is bringing a compassionate ear, an artistic eye and practical solutions to the concerns and aspirations of his clients. When he’s not playing with his young sons, he’s donating his time leading Beacon’s of Light, a retreat for leaders of non-profit organizations.

Evan can be contacted at Evan@DillonMarcus.com.

Learn more about Evan's work at http://www.dillonmarcus.com/

Course Vision

Get really excited to blend your highest beliefs and passion for life into your work

Get ignited and set off on a life path

Expand your capacity as a business leader

Synthesize your leanings in your MBA journey

A new light bulb goes off; you become clear on what you really want

Build a community of life adventurers

Start a new endeavor

Find a new best friend

Discover that business can be a vehicle for enlightenment, profit, building community and making the world a better place