Naval Science 402 Leadership and Ethics (Spring 2012)
Sec 1 – Tue/Thu 1000-1115 & Sec 2 Wed1215-1445
Instructor:Captain Matthew E. Loughlin, USN
Office:Science & Engineering Building, Naval Science Department
Phone:718-409-7217 (Office)E-Mail:
1. Course Description. Naval Science 402 preparesfutureleaders by exploring and applying a diverse range of leadership and ethical tools to enhance objective, sound, and timely decision-making in the most challenging environments. This course emphasizes the importance of leadership that adheres to the highest standards of character and integrity. It is a “Leadership Seminar” where fundamentals and applications of leadership and ethics will be discussed. It is capstone course within the NROTC academic curriculum, facilitated by the most experienced officer in the unit. The primary purpose of this course is to help you develop your personal leadership philosophy and style based on a solid ethical foundation. Specific course objectives are listed in enclosure (1).
2. Prerequisites. For midshipmen and officer candidates, this course must be taken after all other NVSC courses; ideally the semester before graduation and commissioning. For other students, there is no prerequisite.
3.Schedule. A schedule (with reading assignments) will be provided on the first day of class. The schedule and syllabus will be modified and republished ifrequired.
4.Classroom Policies.
A. Preparation. This course is a leadership and ethical decision-making seminar. Your understanding of leadership and of personal and professional ethical standards will be challenged and developed. The goals of the course warrant and demand thorough preparation and enthusiastic participation. You and your fellow students will lead some of the class sessions. Your preparation and knowledge of the subject material is critical to our discussion-based format. Showing up for class without being properly prepared and with hopes of “just getting by,” or “keeping a low profile,” will not work. It is important that you read each session’s objectives and complete the assigned reading prior to attending class. Failure to do so will become evident during the seminar discussions and will result in a lower grade.
B. Attendance. Classes are mandatory. You cannot participate in the seminar discussions if you do not attend class. Roll will be taken at the start of each class and attendancewill be recorded and used in the calculation of final grades. If you are going to miss a class or activity, you need to inform, and get permission from, the instructor prior to the event to avoid an unexcused absence. Any unexcused absences will result in a lower grade. No credit will be given for class participation or for any quiz/presentation/exam missed due to the unexcused absence. Timeliness in attending class and completing assignments is important to your success. Failure to turn assignments in on time will result in the loss of a letter grade per day that it is late.
C.Conduct. In this seminar course, the instructor acts as a facilitator to ensure discussions remain pertinent to the subject matterand that the interaction among students remains on a professional level. Thorough preparation and participation are critical to success, but so are demonstrated respect and consideration for your classmates’ views and opinions. Inappropriate behavior or conduct will not be tolerated and can result in dismissal from the course.
Apart from the basic military courtesies extended to the instructor by midshipman and officer candidate students, the classroom behavior of all students should be “collegiate.” Students are free to interject and question, even without waiting for direct recognition from the instructor (i.e. raising hand and being called upon), so long as the interjection is not unduly disruptive. Both students and the instructor will “police” classroom behavior.
Discussions of controversial subject matter will arise in class. Your candid opinions are required to meet seminar objectives. However, inflammatory or offensive comments, bigotry, sexual, ethnic or racial slurs, avocation of illegal action, etc., will not be tolerated. A student (and/or the class as a whole) will immediately drop any such line of discussion when requested to do so by the instructor or by any student. Any offended party is obligated to inform the instructor, either in public or in private.
Any views expressed by the instructor, unless specifically attributed otherwise, should be considered the personal views of the instructor and may not be representative of any official policy or viewpoint of the government, U.S. Naval Services or University.
5.Coursework.
A.Writing Assignments (30% Total). Written communication skills are a fundamental requirement for your future success. Whether in the form of a simple point-paper or a more elaborate research report, they represent you and your ability to express your ideas, opinions, and guidance. As such, you will submit short papers and an Ethics Essay during this course. The subject and specific writing requirements will be explained in class.
(1) Ethics Essay (20 %) - Students will submit a 3000-3500 word unclassified paper on an approved topic related to leadership and ethics. Format will be in accordance with the Naval War College Style and Classification Guide which is available on-line. The paper will also include a Cover Sheet and Bibliography with at least five crediblesources. These items are not included in the total 3000-3500 word count. You will be required to identify an ethical leadership challenge facing junior officers in the Fleet anddevelop recommendations to address that challenge. You will be evaluated on your ability to insightfully apply course concepts to your selected real-world issue. You must research and build well-reasoned recommendations that you, as a junior officer, or your operational command can implement. This is an opportunity for you to identify, investigate, and prepare yourself for challenging issues that await you upon commissioning.
(2) 1-Page Point Paper (5%) - Our senior leaders have limited time to digest and act on the vast amount of information that crosses their desk on any given day. The multiple demands on their time force them to rely on subordinates to provide solid recommendations in concise, yet thorough and powerful one-page documents that facilitate decision-making. Junior Officers are routinely tasked to draft such documents, on behalf of their Commanding Officer, for submission to the next immediate superior – usually a Flag Officer. Format for this paper will be in accordance with the Military Paper Format provided in class. You will write a paper on an assigned case study and make recommendations to your superiors regarding the case.
B.Oral Presentations (10%). The ability to speak effectively and to convey your thoughts in a clear and concise manner are important attributes of an effective leader. You will be divided into groups of 3-4 to provide a 15-minute presentation on a current military ethics issue, followed by a 5-minute question and answer session. Students may use PowerPoint, white board, slides, video tape, hand puppets, or any other aid to communicate the subject’s relevance to the course and demonstratecourse concepts. Students will not present on the same subject as their previously submitted ethics essay. Group assignment and presentation dates will be determined during class.
C.Quizzes and Homework (10%). You can expect quizzes, both with and without notice. They will assess your knowledge of information from the readings and/or instructor’s presentations.
D.Exams (40% Total). You will have two exams – a Mid-Term (20%) and a Final (20%). The mid-term will be primarily short answer or essay format. The final will consist of two parts; a take-home essay portion (worth at least 50% of the total final exam grade) and an in-class final with a combination of True/False, multiple choice, and short answer questions.
6.Grading. You will be evaluated on your understanding and application of course concepts during class discussions, written assignments, exams, quizzes, oral presentations, etc. As such, your final grade is determined as follows:
A.Ethics Essay20%B.90 - 100A
Final Exam 20%80 - 89.9B
Mid-Term Exam20%70 - 79.9C
Quizzes & Homework10%60 - 69.9D
Short Writing Assignments10% < 60F
Oral presentations10%
Class Attendance & Participation10%
All assignments will be graded on a 100-point scale. You are welcome to review progress at any time and discuss why a score was assigned (including requests for re-scoring). The score received on a late assignment will be reduced by 10 points for each day the assignment is late.
8.Texts. The following resources will be issued for the course:
Case Studies in Military Ethics, 3rded., (CSME),Dr. George Lucas and CAPT W. Rick Rubel. Boston, Ma: Pearson Education, 2011. (ISBN 10: 0-558-91637-6)
Ethics and the Military Profession, 3rd ed., (EMP), Dr. George Lucas and CAPT W. Rick Rubel. Boston, Ma: Pearson Education, 2011. (ISBN 10: 0-558-91640-6)
Marine Officer’s Guide,6th ed., (MOG), Kenneth W. Estes. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2004. (ISBN 1-55750-567-5)
Naval Officer’s Guide, 11th ed., (NOG) William P. Mack, Harry Seymour, Jr., and Lesa A. McComas. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2004. (ISBN 1-55750-645-0)
Naval Law: Justice and Procedure in the Sea Services, 3rd ed., (NL), Brent G. Filbert and Alan G. Kaufman. AnnapolisMD:Naval Institute Press, 2004. (ISBN 1-55750-462-8)
9.Office Hours. Feel free to stop by anytime. If you want to ensure that I am available, you can schedule an appointment with me. E-mail works best.
Academic Integrity. The highest standards of ethical conduct are expected of you. Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of our universities as well as commissioned service in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person’s work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. Breaches of academic integrity will be dealt with in accordance with college regulations and could result in assignment/course failure and unit disciplinary action including program disenrollment. If you are having any problems with course material, please come to see me in my office soonest.
NAVAL SCIENCE 402 (Spring 2012) Course Objectives
I. ACADEMIC SESSION (Class). The course objectives for the Leadership and Ethics curriculum build on the objectives of Leadership and Management class. You will comprehend and apply leadership principles necessary to accomplish the Navy and Marine mission through people, remembering that war-fighting requires self-sacrifice, fighting to win, pressing the attack, inspiring the troops, and focusing the warrior spirit.
A.The student will comprehend the moral and ethical responsibilities of the military leader.
1.The student will comprehend the leader’s moral and ethical responsibilities to the organization and society.
2.The student will comprehend the relationship of integrity, moral courage, and ethical behavior to authority, responsibility, and accountability.
3.The student will comprehend and apply the standards of conduct for military personnel.
B. The student will comprehend the following personal qualities and be able to relate them to a leader’s effectiveness: Loyalty, Integrity, Honor, and Courage (moral and physical)
C. The student will comprehend the major principles of the Code of Conduct and be able to apply it to a leader’s role in a prisoner of war situation.
D. The student will comprehend the UCMJ, practice of military law, and applications of regulations as they may involve a junior officer in the performance of duties.
1. The student will comprehend the purpose, scope, and constitutional basis of Navy Regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice and relate these regulations to personal conduct in the military service.
2. The student will comprehend junior officer responsibilities relative to the military justice system.
3. The student will comprehend Secretary of the Navy published standards of conduct required of all naval personnel.
4. The student will comprehend the 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.
E. The student will comprehend the relationship of Navy and Marine Corps Core Values to the role and responsibilities of a naval leader.
F.The student will comprehend the role of commissioned officers as members of the U.S. Armed Forces and know the obligations and responsibilities assumed by taking the oath of office and accepting a commission, including the constitutional requirement for civilian control.
G. The student will demonstrate, in officer leadership situations, an understanding of the influence of the following on a leader's ability to achieve organization's goals:
1. Use of authority
2. Degree of delegation and decentralization
3. The officer-enlisted professional relationship
4. Chain of command
5. Morale and esprit de corps
H. The student will know the types of, and importance of, communication within the military.
1. The student will comprehend the communications process.
2. The student will comprehend the major causes of communication breakdowns.
3. The student will demonstrate characteristics of effective oral and written communications.
Leadership & Ethics NVSC 402 (Spring 2012)
Section 1 - Tues/Thur 1000-1115
Class Schedule and Reading Assignments(Updated 9 Jan 12)
DATE / TOPICS / READINGSTuesday
10 Jan 2012 / 1 - INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP & ETHICS COURSE
- Review syllabus & course policies
- WHAT IS RIGHT & HOW DO YOU DECIDE?
Thursday
12 Jan 2012 / 2 - WHY STUDY ETHICS? INTRO TO MORAL REASONING
- What is considered ethical?
- Is being ethical difficult?
- What are the ethical expectations of the U.S. military?
- Why Study Ethics? (Lucas), pp. 3-7; On the Eve of Battle (Lucas), pp. 9-11; Ring of Gyges (Plato), pp. 13-14; Why Ethics is So Hard (Grassey), pp. 15-19;
CSME (6 pages)
- Introduction (Rubel), pp. xv-xvii; Rescuing the Boat People (Rubel), pp 13-15.
Thursday
19 Jan 2012 / 3 - WRITING CENTER WORKSHOP
- How do I write right?
- HANDOUT (20 pages) – Chapter 9: Oral and Written Communications (The Naval Officer’s Guide)
Tuesday
24 Jan 2012 / 4 - RELATIVISM
- When in Rome…?
(Ethics Essay – How to write a thesis statement) / EMP (6 pages)
- Chapter 2A: Relativity of Moral Beliefs (Lucas), pp. 25-27; Relativism and Objectivism (Porter), pp. 29-31.
Thursday
26Jan 2012 / 5 - CONSTITUTIONAL ETHICS
- What does the Oath of Office mean?
- What does accepting your commission mean?
- What if I cannot follow an order…?
- Part 2B: US Constitution & the Moral Foundations:, (Lucas), pp. 45-46; The Moral Foundations of Military Service, (Cook), pp. 47-55; Constitutional Ethics, (Roush), pp. 57-62; Constitution of the United States, pp 81-95.
HANDOUT – Officer Oath of Office
Tuesday
31Jan 2012 / 6 - CONFLICTS OF PRINCIPLES AND LOYALTIES
- How do we handle such conflicts?
CSME (10 pages) - USS Vincennes - Friend or Foe? (Rubel), pp. 25-28; Acting on Conscience: Capt Lawrence Rockwood in Haiti, (Wrage), pp. 69-74,225-6.
Thursday
2 Feb 2012 / 7 - UTILITARIANISM
- Sacrifices for the Group: The Few for the Many?
- Do the ends justify the means?
CSME (5 pages) - Leave No One Behind (Rubel), pp. 3-5; Hiroshima: The First Use of Nuclear Weapons (Valaquez and Rostenkowski) pp. 75-76.
Tuesday
7 Feb 2012 / 8 - INTRODUCTION TO MILITARY JUSTICE & DISCIPLINE
- What are the tools to maintain good order & discipline?
- Chapter 1, Background of Military Justice (16 pages)
- Chapter 2, Fundamentals of Military Justice (7 pages)
Thursday
9 Feb 2012 / 9 - KANT AND MORAL DUTIES
- Moral Duty and the Categorical Imperative
- Kantian Ethics and the Basis of Duty (Lucas), pp. 143-147; from Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals (Kant), pp. 149-159; A Simplified Account of Kantian Ethics (O’Neill), pp. 161-165.
Tuesday
14 Feb 2012 / 10 – ARISTOTLE
- Character and Virtue
- Courage & Friendship
- Aristotle and the Ethics of Virtue and Character (Lucas), pp. 169-172; The Moral Virtues (Aristotle), pp. 173-178; Habit and Virtue (Aristotle), 179-182; Courage (Aristotle), pp. 183-186; Friendship (Aristotle), pp. 187-190; Warriors: Reflections on Men in Battle (Gray), pp. 191-193.
CWO Hugh W. Thompson at My Lai (Lucas), pp. 95-98, 227.
Thursday
16 Feb 2012 / 11 – RELIGION AND THE MILITARY
- Religion and Morality
- Divine Command Theory
- Euthyphro’s Dilemma
- Religion and Military Ethics (Lucas), pp. 109-110; Reality Check: The Human and Spiritual Needs of Soldiers and How to Prepare Them for Combat (Brinsfield), pp. 111-114; Religion and Morality: Exploring the Connections (Cook), pp. 115-119; Does Morality Depend on Religion?” (Rachels), pp. 121-125; Abraham’s Obedience Test, p. 135.
- A Shipboard Request for Abortion Case (Rubel), pp. 167-169; Altering the Uniform (Gunther), pp. 171-176.
Tuesday
21 Feb 2012 / 12 - NATURAL LAW
- Principle of Forfeiture
- Doctrine of Double Effect
Thursday
23 Feb 2012 / 13 - APPLYING THE DOCTRINE OF DOUBLE EFFECT
(Point Paper Due at the beginning of class)
(Ethics Essay Draft Review – meet individually w/ CAPT Loughlin) / EMP (7 pages)
- Natural Law and the Principle of Double Effect: Six Hypothetical Cases (Lucas), pp. 211-217.
Incident at Shkin (Schoultz), pp. 7-11; Terror and Retaliation-Who is Right?” (Rubel), p. 57.
Tuesday
28 Feb 2012 / MID TERM EXAM /
- As Required
Thursday
1 Mar 2012 / 14 - ETHICS OF WAR
- Jus ad Bellum – Justice of War
- Jus in Bello – Justice in War
- When is it right to fight?
- The Moral Role of the Military Professional in International Relations (Lucas), pp. 221-223; The Justification of Going to War (Lucas), pp. 225-229; Is It Always Sinful to Wage War? (St. Thomas Aquinas), p. 231; Law and Order in International Society (Walzer), pp. 233-239.
Osama Bin Laden’s Letter to America; President Bush 1991 Speech
Tuesday
6 Mar 2012 / 15- HONOR ON THE BATTLEFIELD
- Conduct of War
- Law of war
- How do we fight right?
CSME (24 pages)
- Interdiction in Afghanistan (Schoultz), pp. 17-24; What the Hell Just Happened? (Webber & Rubel), pp. 49-50; Incident at a Roadblock (Anonymous), p. 51; The Road to Basra (Cook & Hamann), pp. 83-92; Tiananmen Square (Rubel), pp. 99-102.
Thursday
8 Mar 2012 / 16 - JUST WAR THEORY – APPLIED
- Law of War & Conduct of War
- When is it wrong & what do I do?
- Jus in bello – Just Conduct in War (Orend), pp. 273-285; Why Warriors Need a Code (French), pp. 323-334.
- The Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims, pp. 243-261.
- Abu Ghraib (Rubel), pp. 43-48.
Tuesday
13 Mar 2012 / 17 – JUNIOR OFFICER RELATIONSHIPS & MENTORING
(Ethics Essay Draft Review – meet individually w/ CAPT Loughlin) / HANDOUTS (44 pages)
Marine Officer Guide, pp. 338-346; Division Officer Guide, pp. 13-25; Naval Leadership, pp. 50-51, 140-143, 400-402; MCO 1500.58, USMC Mentoring Program; US Navy Mentoring Program Handbook.
Thursday
15 Mar 2012 / 18 - LIBERTY AND RIGHTS
- Why are liberties and rights worth defending?
- Why do the defenders of the nation give up some rights and liberties?
- Liberty and Rights (Lucas), pp. 339-342; On Liberty (Mill), pp. 343-357.
Tuesday
20 Mar 2012 / 19 - TRUTH-TELLING & CORE VALUES
- Integrity
- Loyalty
- Is lying ever okay?
- Upholding the Truth (Lucas), pp. 399-400; Lying: Moral Choice in Public & Private Life (Bok), pp. 401-412.
- Major Knight and Cambodia (Wrage), pp. 103-104, 229-31; Falsification of MV-22 Readiness Reports (Slyman), pp. 135-140, 235-236; The EE Cheating Case at USNA (Gantor), pp. 149-158, 237-238.
Handout: USMC Core Values Leaders Guide – SCAN Chapter 2 (10 pages)
Thursday
22Mar 2012 / 20 – GENERAL MILITARY TRAINING (GMT), CODE OF CONDUCT, TECHNIQUES OF PUBLIC SPEAKING, TECHNIQUES OF PROOFREADING
(Ethics Essay due at the beginning of class) /
- To Be Assigned
Tuesday
27 Mar 2012 / 21 - JUSTICE
- Theories of Justice
- Punishment and Retributive Justice
- Justice and Equal Opportunity
- What is “just” and how do you decide?
- Justice (Lucas), pp. 367-371; A Theory of Justice (Rawls), 373-381; Distributive Justice (Lamont & Favor), 383-388; Crime and Punishment, (Duff), pp. 389-391.
- Justice at Sea (Melville), pp. 207-212; We Treat Her Just Like Everyone Else (Rubel), pp. 215-218
Thursday
29Mar 2012 / ORAL PRESENTATIONS (3 groups – Position Papers Due) /
- As Required
Tuesday
3 Apr 2012 / ORAL PRESENTATIONS (2-3 groups – Position Papers Due) /
- As Required
Thursday
5 Apr 2012 / 22 – NON-JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT/UCMJ / CSME (5 pages)
Justice or Mercy (Rubel), pp. 201-205;
Naval Law (3rd Edition)
- Search & Seizure, pp. 133-161 (29 pages); Courts Martial’s, pp. 25-47 (23 pages); NJP, pp, 53-68 (16 pages)
Tuesday
10 Apr 2012 / 23 - NAVAL ADMINISTRATION / HANDOUT – The Division Officer’s Guide, Chapter 10, pp. 229-253
Thursday
12 Apr 2012 / 24 – STOICISM / EMP (43 pages)
- Moral Leaders and Moral Warriors (Lucas), pp. 415-416; Courage Under Fire (Stockdale), pp. 417-426; The Enchiridion (Epictetus), pp. 427-437; Roman Stoicism (French), pp. 439-449; A Vietnam Experience, Duty (Stockdale), pp. 451-455; VADM Stockdale’s Leadership Model (Roush), pp. 457-460.
17 Apr 2012 / FINAL EXAM
Leadership & Ethics NVSC 402 (Spring 2012)