MSCI 211: Leadership and Decision Making
Prerequisites: MSCI 111 and MSCI 112 or department chairperson’s permission
Credit Hours: (4) Three hour lecture; two hours laboratory; three to five hours physical training
MSCI 211 is an academically challenging course where students will study, practice, and apply the fundamentals of Army Leadership, Officer-ship, Army Values, Ethics, Personal Development, and small unit tactics at the platoon level.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
The outcomes are demonstrated through Critical and Creative Thinking and the ability to apply Troop Leading Procedures (TLP). Comprehension of the officer's role in leading change by applying innovative solutions to problems in concert with the Principles of Mission Command. The Army Profession is also stressed through leadership forums and a leadership self-assessment. The student will apply their knowledge outside the classroom in a hands-on performance-oriented environment during Leadership LABs. The student will demonstrate writing skills and present information briefings as preparation for development in becoming a successful future officer. The course includes reading assignments, homework assignments, small group assignments, briefings, case studies, practical exercises, a mid-term exam, and final exam.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
An informal approach will be used to educate students about Military Science topics. The course emphasizes applied leadership and military basic skills. Although the one hour of class each week would have to be summarized as "lecture", a two-hour laboratory is devoted to hands on training in basic military skills.
Goals and Objective of the Course
This course serves as a portion of the basic course qualification process with the following listed objectives:
1) Analyze leadership theories
2) Categorize managerial attributes of leadership
3) Apply map reading and land navigation skills
4) Summarize the four types of reasoning
5) Discuss the basic types of Structured Analytic Techniques
6) Apply the Army Problem Solving Process
7) Assess the Solider's Rules and their application to the Moral Dimensions of Conflict
8) Compare what constitutes a War Crime and the Just War Theory
9) Apply ethical reasoning and the Army Values to an ethical dilemma
10) Demonstrate team leadership in training and tactical settings
Assessment Measures
Earn a final average of 70% or better
Earn a 70% or better average on all quizzes, midterm, and a final exam
Participate in all leadership labs and leadership training exercises
* Complete 6 Mile Road March
Complete term paper
* Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test with a goal of attaining 300 points with at
least 100 or more in each event
Complete all administrative requirements
The ROTC program breaks students down into two groups: enrolled students and participating students. Enrolled students are fully enrolled in the Army ROTC program and are actively pursuing a military career. Participating students are those who choose to take an Army ROTC basic course, but are not actively pursuing a military career.
*Participating Students (those students who are not enrolled in the ROTC commissioning program) do not attend leadership lab, Physical Training, Road March events, or the APFT. These events will not factor into their final grade.
GRADING CRITERIA FOR ENROLLED STUDENTS VALUE
Quizzes
20%
Land Navigation Exam
5%
Mid Term and Final Exam 20%
Term paper
20%
6 Mile Road March
5%
Physical Fitness (APFT&HT/WT) 10%
Attendance & Participation 20%
GRADING CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS VALUE
Quizzes
20%
Land Navigation Exam 5%
Mid Term and Final Exam 20%
Term paper
30%
Attendance & Participation 25%
Additionally, students who participate in extracurricular events (supporting community service projects, such as Color Guard, Polar Plunge, and Highlander Days) Can earn up to 10 points for extra credit.
Other Course Information
Leadership Lab Focus. Serves as learning laboratories for hands-on practical experiences. Training is supplementary and includes operations and tactics, land navigation and radio and wire communication subjects. The APFT is administered to assess the state of physical development. Specific lab topics include:
1) Establish a patrol base
2) Squad level Tactics, Basic Infantry Battledrills
3) Communicate on a Tactical Radio
4) Navigate using a map / compass
5) Prepare Squad Combat Orders
6) Conduct Pre-Combat inspection for FTX
7) Conduct equipment recovery operations
8) Individual movement techniques
9) Army Physical Fitness Test
10) Combat Water Survival Test (CWST)
Fall Field Training Exercise Focus. Continues development of leader skills in a field environment. The focus is on soldier-team development at small unit level. Training is supplementary and includes leadership, operations and tactics, and land navigation subjects. Special topics including military mountaineering, field survival skills, individual tactical techniques, and small unit tactical operations are covered. Specific topics include:
1) Establish a Patrol Base
2) Individual Tactical Training
3) Squad Tactics/Patrolling
4) Team leadership, communication and teamwork
5) Supplemental weapons instruction
Cadet Command Events
1) Awards Ceremony
2) Physical Training (two to five times per week)
Review and Approval
February 10, 2017 Updated MAJ Stephen Ray
March 16, 1998 Updated MAJ Perry N. Caskey