MSCI 111: Introduction to Leadership, the Army, and Critical Thinking
Prerequisites: None
Credit Hours: (2) One hour lecture; two hours laboratory
MSCI 111 introduces the student to the personal challenges and competencies that are critical for effective leadership and communication.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
The student will learn how personal development of life skills such as cultural understanding, goal setting, time management, stress management, and comprehensive fitness relate to leadership, officer-ship, and the Army profession. The course focus is on developing basic knowledge and comprehension of Army leadership dimensions while gaining a big picture of understanding the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, its purpose in the Army and its advantages for the student.
The student will practice and enhance their leadership abilities in labs. Through Leadership Labs, the student will develop and demonstrate an understanding and ability to perform basic land navigation, troop leading, and squad and platoon tactical operations. The Army ROTC program is designed to develop confident, competent, versatile and resilient leaders with the basic military science and leadership foundations necessary to lead small units in nearly any Operational Environment (OE) and to evolve into the Army's future senior leaders.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The one-hour class is summarized as "lecture" or informal discussion. A two-hour laboratory is devoted to hands on training in basic military skills along with 3 to 5 hours of physical training.
Goals and Objective of the Course
This course serves as a portion of the basic course qualification process, as directed by Cadet Command. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:
1) Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving in classroom and tactical scenarios.
2) Describe the role and organization of the U.S. Army, Army Reserves, and National
Guard.
3) Apply basic military skills including map reading, tactics, drill, and ceremonies.
4) Demonstrate customs and traditions of the service.
5) Demonstrate basic written communication skills.
Assessment Measures
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
Students practice and enhance their leadership abilities in labs. Through Leadership Labs, Students develop and demonstrate an understanding and ability to perform basic land navigation, troop leading, and squad and platoon tactical operations. The Army ROTC program is designed to develop confident, competent, versatile and resilient leaders with the basic military science and leadership foundatinos necessary to lead small units in nearly any Operational Environment (OE) and to evolve into the Army's future senior leaders.
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 PreCombat 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
April 18, 2017
March 16, 1998 Updated MAJ Perry N. Caskey