Naval Science 402
Leadership and Ethics
Fall 2011
SYLLABUS, CLASS POLICIES, AND CURRICULUM OUTLINE
1. Introduction. The Naval Science course Leadership and Ethics is intended to provide the ethical foundation, basic leadership tools, and a rudimentary knowledge of the military justice system you will need to be an effective junior officer. Additionally, the second half of the course provides an overview of Naval Service legal and administrative matters and of the duties, responsibilities, and expectations of a naval service junior officer.
2. Course Objectives.
· Comprehend the moral and ethical responsibilities of the military leader.
· Comprehend the following personal qualities and be able to relate them to a leader's effectiveness: Honor, Integrity, Courage (moral and physical)
· Comprehend the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), practice of military law, and applications of regulations as they involve a junior officer in the performance of duties.
· Be familiar with the International Law of Armed Conflict including rules of engagement, conduct of hostilities, rights of individuals, obligations of engaged parties, and the Code of Conduct for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
3. Grading and Evaluation. Reading assignments, homework, research paper, and oral presentation are due in the class on the day in which they are assigned. Late work December, at the instructor's option, be accepted at a reduced grade.
A. Midterm (30%) and Final Exam (30%). The Midterm and Final will each be take-home exams. The Midterm will be a short essay test, and the Final is a fill in the blank exam that requires identifying answer sources. Grading will be based on concise presentation, quality of analysis, format, and grammar / spelling.
B. Research Topic (10%). You will be required conduct a research project on a topic of your choice. The topic can be on an individual or historical incident which relates to the course content.
You will be required to write three 1-page point papers on the research topic. The point papers will be done IAW with guidance provided in the Naval Correspondence Manual. Each paper will address your topic from the point of view of one of the philosophical views discussed in the first half of the class. This is a change in all previous NS 402 classes where a 10 page paper was required. In the fleet it is unlikely that your will need to write a 10 page paper – and if you did, no one would read it.
C. Oral Presentation (10%). Students will summarize and present their leadership topic at the end of the course. The Oral Presentation will last 10 minutes and will present a background to your topic and then summarize the view expressed in each of your three point-papers. The Oral Presentation will be given after Spring Break.
D. Contribution (20%). Contribution grade will be determined on both the quality and quantity of the individual's classroom input, not just on the volume of input.
E. Course Critique. A completed course critique is required prior to the release of final course grade. Course critiques are invaluable in tailoring the course to meet student needs.
F. Appealing a grade. Students appeal individual scores assigned to assessments (exams, quizzes, papers, presentations, etc.) during the course. The onus is on the student to support his / her position with documentation from the readings or class presentations. If you are able to convince me of the correctness of you case I will award the points in contention. Final course grades will be appealed in accordance with University policy.
4. Course Information.
Location: South Hall, Room 100, MWF, 0800-0850
Instructor: Colonel Joseph G. Smith, USMC, Professor of Naval Sciences
Office Hours: South Hall, Rm 209, by appointment or walk-in
Phone: 626-5387
Email:
5. Texts and References. Texts will be issued during the first class session and should be returned immediately after the final exam.
Code Text/Source
ETHICS Ethics And The Military Profession
CASE STUDY Case Studies in Military Ethics
DOG Division Officer’s Guide (Navy Only)
NOG Naval Officer’s Guide (Navy Only)
MOG Marine Officer’s Guide (Marine Only)
Semper Fi,
J.G. SMITH
COURSE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, 14 JAN: Course Introduction
- Review plan of attack for the course
Friday, 16 JAN: LECTURE:
- Introduction to Moral Reasoning / Relativism
ETHICS: Pg 9-11 = Read
Pg 13-14 = Scan/Understand the characters and concept. Be able to discuss what you would/could do if “invisible” and not held accountable.
Pg 39-41 = Read
Case Study (Handout in Class): “The Raiding Party”
CASE STUDY: Read Pg 3-5 “Leave No One Behind”
Bible: Read the 9th Commandment (about lying)
Monday, 19 JAN: No Class – Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday
Wednesday, 21 JAN: DISCUSSION:
- Moral Reasoning / Relativism. Be able to discuss in class:
Moral Relativism
Cultural Relativism
Relativism vs. Objectivism
Command Relativism - Term is not in the reading, but we’ll discuss concept in class.
Friday, 23 JAN: LECTURE:
- Constitutional Ethics and the Moral Obligations of Military Service
ETHICS: Read pages 65 – 82, (especially 77 – 82)
ETHICS: Scan pages 93- 107 (The Constitution)
CASE STUDY: Read 99-103 (Iran-Contra)
CASE STUDY: Read 35-36 (Come Right)
Monday, 26 JAN: DISCUSSION:
- Constitutional Ethics and the Moral Obligations of Military Service
Wednesday, 28 JAN: LECTURE
- Utilitarianism / Consequential Reasoning
ETHICS: pages 139 - 141, 161 - 164, skim 143 – 159
Friday, 30 JAN: DISCUSSION
- Utilitarianism / Consequential Reasoning
Monday, 2 FEB: LECTURE
- Kantian Duty Ethics / Moral Duties
ETHICS: pages 165 – 169, 183 – 187
CASE STUDY: 95-97 (Death of a Marine)
CASE STUDY: pages 115-120 (The SENTINEL Case)
Wednesday, 4 FEB: DISCUSSION
- Kantian Duty Ethics / Moral Duties
Friday, 6 FEB: LECTURE
- Truth Telling / Core Values
ETHICS: pages 417 – 431
CASE STUDY: pages 93-94 (Major Knight and Cambodia)
Monday, 9 FEB: DISCUSSION
- Truth Telling / Core Values
Wednesday, 11 FEB: LECTURE
- Liberty as the Foundation for Moral Rights
ETHICS: pages 353 – 370, 377 – 381
CASE STUDY: TBD
*** RESEARCH TOPICS DUE***
- Memo Format IAW SECNAVINST 5216.5D (Pg 77, Figure 2-19)
- 3 Point Papers are due 27 MARCH
Friday, 13 FEB: DISCUSSION
- Liberty as the Foundation for Moral Rights
Monday, 16 FEB: LECTURE
- Justice
ETHICS: pages 391 – 395, 407 – 416
CASE STUDY: Pages 193-196 (We Treat Her Just Like Everyone Else)
Wednesday, 18 FEB: DISCUSSION
- Justice
Friday, 20 FEB: LECTURE
- Virtue Ethics
ETHICS: pages 189 – 192, 193 (chart); optional: 203 – 206, 211 - 213
CASE STUDY: pages 85-88 (Hough Thompson, My Lai)
Monday, 23 FEB: DISCUSSION
- Virtue Ethics
Wednesday, 25 FEB: LECTURE
- Natural Law / Divine Command
ETHICS: pages 109 – 119, 122 – 125, 135
pages 215 – 218, 223 – 237
CASE STUDY: pages 151-153 (Sailor’s Request for Abortion)
Friday, 27 FEB: DISCUSSION
- Natural Law / Divine Command
Monday, 2 MAR: LECTURE
- Just War Theory / Ethics of War
ETHICS: Read pages 245 – 247, 251, 261-263. Scan pages 265 – 271
- Conduct of War
ETHICS: pages 301 - 315
CASE STUDY: pages 73-82 (Road to Basra)
Wednesday, 4 MAR: DISCUSSION
- Just War Theory / Ethics of War
- Conduct of War
Friday, 6 MAR: LECTURE and/or DISCUSSION
- Law of Armed Conflict / Code of Conduct / Rules of Engagement
Reading TBD
Monday, 9 MAR: LECTURE
- Stoicism
ETHICS: pages 435 – 446, 471 – 475, skim 447 - 457
CASE STUDY: TBD
*** TAKE-HOME MIDTERM DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS ***
Wednesday, 11 MAR: TBD
Friday, 13 MAR: TBD
*** MIDTERM EXAM DUE
16-20 MAR – NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
NOTE: CASE STUDY PAPERS DUE FRIDAY, 27 MARCH
CLASS SCHEDULE for 23 MAR – 6 MAY - Handed out later.
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