More about the ethics class co-taught by Comey
By Danielle White
Originally published in Dog Street Journal's October/November 2018 issue.
At the beginning of 2018, it was confirmed that former FBI Director, James Comey, would be co-teaching an ethical leadership class at William and Mary through the W&M Washington Center beginning this semester. Although Comey has spoken to William and Mary’s Study in DC students “consistently since 2006” according to the announcement on the school’s website, in addition to remaining involved with William and Mary since at least 2008 when he received an “honorary doctor of laws degree” from the university, this seems to be the first time that the news of Comey’s involvement has caught the attention of major national news sources.
News outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Time, and the New York Post each reported on the announcement of Comey’s co-teaching of these ethical leadership classes, since many were led to question his ethics after they believed him to have mishandled the investigation of Hilary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign.
Former William and Mary President, Taylor Reveley said, “He (Comey) understands to the core of his being that our leaders must have an abiding commitment to ethical behavior and sacrificial service if we are to have good government. Our students will benefit significantly from his experience and wisdom.”
According to the Washington Post, Comey will be co-teaching “Ethical Leadership” for the Fall 2018, Spring 2019, and Summer 2019 semesters. The class will also be co-taught by Executive Assistant Professor of Education and Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Leadership, Drew Stelljes, another William and Mary alum.
Based on the syllabus for the course, some of the objectives of “Ethical Leadership” include better understanding and recognizing the foundations of leadership, the significance of groups, sources of authority when making ethical decisions, the value of working in diverse teams, and how political, social, and cultural norms contribute to “modern conceptions of effective leadership.”
In part of an introductory statement, the syllabus reads, “This course is not just for leaders or those who aspire to lead. Whether we are in positions of authority or not, we should care about ethical leadership because, as voters, stockholders, and employees, we play a vital role in choosing our leaders. And who we choose makes a big difference in our lives. This class is intended to challenge students to think critically about leaders, sources of authority for decision-making, and the challenges and opportunities involved in shaping human cultures and motivating people.”
“Ethical Leadership” is to be taught in seven “modules,” the first six of which discuss topics such as leadership, decision-making, and the significance of culture and diversity. The first six modules incorporate readings from authors Reinhold Niebuhr, Jonathan Haidt, Daniel Pink, and Edgar Schein. The purpose of the seventh module is to apply the lessons from the first six modules to reallife cases. Readings from the seventh module come from Comey’s 2018 memoir, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, copies of which are to be provided to students by Comey himself.
Based on the syllabus, it seems as though students will read about and discuss separate chapters in Comey’s book that focus on the Clinton emails and meeting with President Trump in Trump Tower to discuss Russian collusion during the 2016 election.
One way to receive priority enrollment for this “Ethical Leadership” class is by applying to the DC Semester Program. To do this, students must complete a three-part application process that consists of filling out an online application, providing two to three letters of recommendation from professors or college administrators, and, if selected to, meet with the DC Semester Program Professor and Coordinator for a thirty-minute interview. Unfortunately, the deadline to apply to the DC Semester Program for the Spring 2019 semester has passed.
Other students receiving priority enrollment are Graduate students, specifically students in the W&M School of Education’s Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership program, and Undergraduate students minoring in educational studies.
“I am thrilled to have the chance to engage with William & Mary students about a vital topic — ethical leadership,” Comey said. “Ethical leaders lead by seeing above the short term, above the urgent or the partisan, and with a higher loyalty to lasting values, most importantly the truth. Building and maintaining that kind of leadership, in both the private sector and government, is the challenge of our time. There is no better place to teach and learn about it than the W&M Washington Program.”