MSL402-Leadership in a Complex World Spring Semester 2014

SAMPLE Course Syllabus

Instructor

Captain Michael D. Bennett

Office: 479-498-6066

Cell: 919-622-1329

Fax: 479-964-3296

CourseDescription (Overview)

MSL 402 explores the dynamics of leading in the complex situations of current military operations in the full spectrum operations (FSO). You will examine differences in customs and courtesies, military law, principles of war, and rules of engagement in the face of international terrorism. You also explore aspects of interacting with non-government organizations, civilians on the battlefield, and host nation support.

The course places significant emphasis on preparing you for BOLC B, and your first unit of assignment. It uses case studies, scenarios, and “What Now, Lieutenant?” exercises to prepare you to face the complex ethical and practical demands of leading as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. This semester, you will:

  • Explore Military Professional Ethics and ethical decision making facing an Officer
  • Gain practical experience in Cadetbattalion leadership roles
  • Demonstrate personal skills in operations and communications
  • Evaluate and develop MSL III small unit leaders and examine issues of force protection in FSO
  • Prepare for the transition to a career as an Army Officer

Course Objectives

Leadership

•Apply Army leader attributes and core competencies as Cadet battalion leaders

• Mentor the personal development of underclass Cadets

•Demonstrate an understanding of the workings of a Platoon Command Team

•Explain the different installation support services available to Soldiers and Family members

Values and Ethics

•Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Army’s programs on Equal Opportunity (EO) and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program

•Demonstrate proper leader ethics and analyze Army leader ethics case studies

Personal Development

•Prepare a personal developmental plan using the Junior Officer Developmental Support Form and Officer Evaluation Report model

Officership

•Develop and present a Battle Analysis Case Study-Brief of a historic military battle

•Explain how Cultural Awareness can impact a unit and mission

•Identify and explain the characteristics and Culture of Terrorism

•Understand the different Non-Gov Orgs, Civilians, and Host Nation Support that can impact unit operations

•Explain the different Installation Support Services available

•Demonstrate good management of Personal Finances

•Apply correct procedures in Supply and Maintenance Operations

Tactics and Techniques

•Apply the principles of force protection and operational security in Full Spectrum Operations (FSO)

•Explain counterinsurgency operations in FSO

•Conduct CASEVAC procedures at unit level

APRT

Contracted Cadets are required to participate in all SROTC activities as stated in their contract. Students auditing this class or not yet contracted are encouraged but not required to participate in SROTC activities outside of the classroom. As a future officer you are expected to maintain solid physical readinessaccording to Army regulations.

Class Participation

As future officers, you are expected to participate actively in learning through critical reflection, inquiry, dialogue, and group interactions. These skills are required to be an adaptive and successful leader. This includes participating in class discussion, sharing personal perspectives and experiences related to principles discussed in class or reading, and working with fellow students to engage in class and lab exercises.

Quizzes

Quizzes may be given at the discretion of the instructor to assess your progress in learning the principles and practices related to the curriculum.

Mid-Term Exam

A mid-term exam will be given to test the levels of learning achieved by students in the first half of the course.

Briefings and Presentations

Throughout this course you will give a number of presentations and briefings individually and in a group. As a future Army leader, you are expected to continually improve your presentation skills with research and rehearsal in areas such as:

  • Voice inflection (can you be heard; do you project confidence)
  • Body Language (are you doing something distracting; are you animated)
  • Organization (basic organization, logical flow, supported by facts)

Term Project

You will be given a class project by your instructor. This project may relate directly to the curriculum or to your leadership experiences in labs, training meetings, and various other activities.

Final Exam

A cumulative final exam will be given to test the levels of learning achieved by students throughout the course of the semester.

Evaluation and Grading

APRT10%

Class Participation*10%

Quiz Grades10%

Mid-Term Exam15%

Briefings and Presentations15%

Term Project20%

Final Exam20%

Solid performance in each area of evaluation is necessary. The following grading scale will be used based on 100 points possible:

*Contracted Cadets are expected to participate in all SROTC activities in and outside the classroom.

[NOTE: Your University may have a specific grading scale to follow]

90-100A

80-89B

70-79C

Every attempt will be made to offer adequate written assessments in explaining evaluations. All late papers and assignments will receive a 10% reduction in grade.

Course Design

This class will be conducted in an interactive manner. Everyone will be responsible for contributing to the success of the learning experience. Lectures are expected to be interactive–ask questions. You will have extensive small group discussions and exercises scattered throughout the class. Time will be given in class to discuss and work on projects and papers. This program includes class lessons as well as outside activities such as Leadership Labs, FTXs and PT training. Contracted Cadets are required to participate in the full program.

Leading the Organization to Success

As the Cadet leadership, you are encouraged to work together with the instructor in modifying training, assignments and raising questions for discussion.

Uniforms and Appearance(Insert your battalion uniform policy here)

You are expected to wear ACUs (Army Combat Uniform) to all classes and adhere to Army Regulation 670-1 with regard to uniforms.

Academic Honesty

Both as a student and as a future Army leader, there should be no question that you will not lie, cheat, or steal. The university policy on academic dishonesty is outlined in the student handbook. Please read this section and know that I uphold the university policy and that giving or receiving information on tests, homework, plagiarism, and lying about absences and homework can result in an “F” in this course and a mark on your permanent record. Acts of this kind could lead to expulsion from the University and dismissal from Army ROTC.

Special Needs

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires universities to provide a “reasonable accommodation” to any individual who advises us of a physical or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an accommodation or an academic adjustment, please arrange a meeting with me at your earliest convenience.

Office Hours and Appointments

Office Hours are [insert times available]

I will meet with any of you to discuss assignments, issues, or concerns. My schedule is generally flexible and I will schedule a specific time to meet with you beyond office hours, if necessary.

[NOTE: Cadre availability to interact with students is one of the most significant factors that contribute to Cadet recruitment and retention.]

Reading

Student Text: MSL 402, Leadership in a Complex World, Pearson Custom Publishing, 2008 (Will be issued to Student free of Charge)

NOTE:ROTC Cadet Textbooks are currently being updated. To be proactive, some of the lessons have been updated and might reference a Cadet reading assignment to a section that is not in the current textbook. If this situation occurs disregard the reading assignment.

Selected readings available online at:

  • AR 600-9: Army Weight Control Program, (27 Nov 2006)
  • AR 600-25: Salutes, Honors and Visits of Courtesy, (24 Oct 04)
  • AR 670-1: Wear and Appearance of Uniforms and Insignia, (3 Feb 05)
  • DA PAM 600-65 Leadership Statements and Quotes, (1 Nov 1985)
  • DA PAM 600-67 Effective Writing for Army Leaders, (2 Jun 1986)
  • FM 1-0: The Army, (14 Jun 2005)
  • FM 1-02: Operational Terms and Graphics, 21 Sep 04; (w/chg 1, 2 Feb 2010)
  • FM 3-0Operations(INCL C1). 27 February 2011
  • FM 3-21.5: Drill and Ceremony, (7 Jul 03); (w/chg 1, 12 Apr 2006)
  • FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, (28 Mar 07)
  • FM 3-25.26: Map Reading and Land Navigation, 18 Jan 05; (w/chg 1, 30 Aug 2006)
  • FM 5-0: Operations Process, 26 Mar 10; (w/chg 1, 18 Mar 2011)
  • FM 5-19: Composite Risk Management (21 Aug 06)
  • FM 6-22: Army Leadership (12 Oct 06)
  • ADP 3-0: Unified Land Operations (10 Oct 11)
  • TC 3-22.20: Army Physical Readiness Training, (20 Aug 10)
  • STP 21-1-SMCT (2 May 11) Task #071-326-0501 (Move as a Member of a Fire Team)
  • CC PAM 145-3-2:Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Program, (Aug 09)
  • ROTC Faculty Handbook, (June 10)
  • LDP, (1 Apr 2011)
  • Selected books and articles as determined by professor

Further Reading

Army Officer Guide

Bennis, W. G., & Nanus, B. (1985). Leaders: The strategies for taking charge. New York: Harper & Row Publishers.

Bennis, W. G. (2003). On becoming a leader. New York: Basic Books.

Bennis, W. G., & Thomas, R. J. (2002). Geeks& Geezers: How era, values, and defining moments shape leaders. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row Publishers.

Gardner, J. W. (1990). On leadership. New York: The Free Press.

Headquarters, Department of the Army, Field Manual 1 (2001). The Army. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Headquarters, Department of the Army, Field Manual 22-100 (1990). Army leadership. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Kotter, J. P. (1996). Leading change. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Wong, L. (2004). Developing adaptive leaders: The crucible experience of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute.

Wong, L. (2002). Stifling innovation: Developing tomorrow’s leaders today. Carlisle Barracks, PA: Strategic Studies Institute.

This is a very general, selected list. Cadre members are encouraged to contribute references they believe to be beneficial. For a more complete listing of leadership references see Human Dimensions of Strategic Leadership, published by the U.S. Army War College Library (December, 2002).

Overview of Sessions

Lesson 1aCourse Overview

Lesson 1bThe Army Officer

Lesson 1cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 13Commander’s Time

Lesson 2aArmy Customs and Courtesies

Lesson 2bUnit Level Medical Operations

Lesson 2cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 14 First Aid

Lesson 3aIntro to Battle Analysis

Lesson 3bArmy Leader Ethics-Case Study III

Lesson 3cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 15Leader Reaction Course

Lesson 4aCultural Awareness

Lesson 4bCulture of Terrorism

Lesson 4cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 16Squad Tactics IV

Lesson 5aCounterinsurgency

Lesson 5bForce Protection in FSO and Operational Security (OPSEC)

Lesson 5cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 17Platoon Movements

Lesson 6aNon-Gov’t Organizations (NGO), Civilians on Battle Field & Host Nation Support

Lesson 6bMidterm Exam

Lesson 6cOfficership Forum III (Lecture Series)

LAB 18Platoon Tactics-Patrolling I

Lesson 7aSupply Operations

Lesson 7bMaintenance Operations

Lesson 7cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 19Platoon Tactics-Patrolling II

Lesson 8aBattle Analysis Case Studies-Briefs

Lesson 8bStaff Ride

Lesson 8cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 20Land Navigation III

Lesson 9aOfficer Forum

Lesson 9bSenior NCO Forum

Lesson 9cOfficership Forum IV (Lecture Series)

LAB 21Land Navigation IV

Lesson 10aPlatoon Command Team

Lesson 10bBOLC Overview

Lesson 10cApplied Leadership (Training Meeting)

LAB 22 Weapons PMI

Lesson 11aEqual Opportunity (EO)

Lesson 11bSexual Harassment/Assault Response andPrevention (SHARP) Pt 1

Lesson 11cSexual Harassment/Assault Response andPrevention (SHARP) Pt 2

LAB 23Tactical Communication, Reporting, and Call for Fire

Lesson 12aFinancial Management

Lesson 12bInstallation Support Services for Soldiers and Family Members

Lesson 12cFinal Exam

LAB 24First Aid (CASEVAC)

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