MSU Billings Catalog

MSL - Military Science Leadership

MSL 101 Introduction to the Army. 3 Credits

Corequisite(s): MSL 106.

3cr. Establishes a framework for understanding officership, leadership, Army values and physical fitness, time management, communications theory and practice (written and oral), and interpersonal relationships. These initial lessons form the building blocks of progressive lessons in values, fitness, leadership, and officership. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 102 Intro to Tactical Leadership. 2 Credits

Corequisite(s): MSG 106.

Establishes a foundation of basic leadership fundamentals such as: problem solving, communications, military briefings, effective writing, goal setting, techniques for improving listening and speaking skills, in addition to an introduction to counseling. Provides students with a basic understanding of situational leadership as it applies to the military and how the basic concepts and practices relate to individuals and organizations. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Lecture Hours 2

Department: History

MSL 106 Army Physical Fitness. 1 Credit

Corequisite(s): All MSL courses.

R Develops confidence and discipline in mind and body through a regimented and challenging physical conditioning course. Designed to provide students a framework of fitness skills, planning, and testing for a lifetime of health. The course consists of three Physical Training (PT) sessions per week that include: running, swimming, upper body, core development, sports, and team building exercises. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Lab Hours 1

Department: History

MSL 201 Leadership and Ethics. 3 Credits

Corequisite(s): MSL 106.

3cr. Develops an understanding of how to build teams, influence, communicate, a process for effective decision making, teaches creative problem solving, and the fundamentals of planning. Students identify successful leadership characteristics through observation of others and self through experiential learning exercises. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 202 Found of Tactical Leadership. 3 Credits

Corequisite(s): MSG 106.

Provides an advanced look at leadership principles and the application and practice of those principles. Examines building successful teams, various methods for influencing action, effective communication, and achieving goals. Additionally, stresses the importance of timing the decision, creativity in the problem solving process, and obtaining team buy-in through immediate feedback. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 204 Basic Camp. 1-6 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Provides a forum for the development of military leadership fundamentals. Leadership Training Course (LTC) is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course of ROTC (freshman & sophomore years on campus). By transforming themselves through this rigorous training, students will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC Advanced Course on campus, provided they have two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate).

Department: History

MSL 205 American Military History. 3 Credits

Term Typically Offered: Spring

Presents the study of the evolution of the American Military, with concentration on the evolution of the American military within the context of national historical development, specifically with regard to industrialization, national security, and the United States' evolving international role and policies. Includes study of significant battles throughout our history of warfare, which includes a field trip to a historical battleground.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 292 Independent Study. 1-6 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor and department chairperson.

Provides an opportunity for freshman and sophomore students to explore material not covered by regular Military Science Student courses. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.

Department: History

MSL 301 Training Mgmt & Warfighting Fn. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): MSL 101, MSL 102, MSL 201, and MSL 202 or MSL 298.

Corequisite(s): MSL 106.

3cr. Provides for the study, evaluation, and practice of the adaptive leadership model in order to acquire the same. The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is used to develop self-awareness, behavior modification, and critical thinking. Battle drills serve to assist in preparing the student/leader for Warrior Forge. Students conduct self-assessment of leadership style, develop personal fitness regimen, and learn to plan and conduct individual/small unit tactical training while testing reasoning and problem-solving techniques. Students receive direct feedback on leadership abilities. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall semester. Restricted to contracted Military Science students.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 302 Applied Team Leadership. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): MSG 301.

Corequisite(s): MSG 106.

Provides a forum in order to execute and evaluate the leadership skills and abilities developed in practical exercises, tactical scenarios, and mentorship. Evaluates the tactical, technical, and administrative skills and duties common to all branches of the Army. Develops leadership behaviors and the ability to function effectively in small unit operations. Examines the role communications, values, and ethics play in the leadership role. Topics include: ethical decision-making, considerations of others, spirituality in the military, and case studies of effective leaders. Explores the leader’s role in planning, directing, and coordinating the efforts of individuals and small groups in tactical missions. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Spring semester.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 305 Leadership Dev Assess Course. 1-6 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Provides an environment in which to evaluate and enhance students’ leadership abilities in a controlled and challenging environment. This serves as U.S. Army Cadet Command’s flagship training and assessment exercise held at Fort Lewis, Washington each summer. Every Army ROTC Cadet hoping to pin-on the gold bar of an Army lieutenant must successfully complete Warrior Forge. After graduation, most attendees will go back to their colleges or universities to finish their degrees and then be commissioned as an Officer of the U.S. Army. Offered during Summer session.

Department: History

MSL 401 The Army Officer. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Corequisite(s): MSL 106.

3cr. Develops proficiency in planning and executing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and mentoring subordinates. Students explore training management, methods of effective team collaboration, and developmental counseling techniques, as well as the application of leadership principles and techniques involved in leading young men and women in today’s Army. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall semester.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 402 Leadership in a Complex World. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Corequisite(s): MSG 106.

Focuses on case study analysis of military law and practical exercises in establishing an ethical command climate. Future leaders must complete a semester-long Senior Leadership Project that requires them to plan, organize, collaborate, analyze, and demonstrate their leadership skills. The course includes understanding of the ethical components of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and civil rights legislation, study of the military justice system and Army law administrations, exploration of the dynamics of leading in complex situations, and preparation for transition from college student to commissioned Officer in the Army. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Spring semester.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: History

MSL 491 Leadership Special Topics. 1-6 Credits

Provides a course of study not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need. Serves the needs of the instructor and/or student otherwise not covered in any other class or curriculum. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions.

Department: History

MSL 492 Independent Study. 1-6 Credits

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Provides a study in military tactics, leadership, and organizational behavior. Students are closely supervised by military Officers in order to provide one-on-one developmental counseling and mentorship. Restricted to contracted Military Science students. This course includes a required field training component which includes physical fitness, orienteering, and other outdoor skills. Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Department: History