Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
MILT 525 Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
MILT 525
ADVANCED RESILIENCE FOR LEADERS AND CAREGIVERS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An advanced graduate study of the key definitions and factors related to how leaders and
caregivers create and maintain resilience in themselves and others, focused on the military
culture with broad applications to the general population. Topics include the impacts of suffering
and trauma on followers, leaders, and caregivers; the Resilience Life Cycle©, disciplines of
replenishment for leaders and caregivers, evidence-based research surrounding resilience
protocols, and a holistic approach to spiritual equipping for leaders and caregivers.
RATIONALE
In moments of introspection, uncertainty, or crisis, you may have you asked yourself “How high
do I bounce?” Or, looking into an uncertain future, anticipating the hard and concrete realities of
overwhelming life situations, would you question, “How high will I bounce?” During days of a
crippled economy, persistent terror threats, terrifying natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars,
it is natural to ask such questions.
Perhaps the arena where the need for “bounce” (referring to resilience) is most notable is the
military. Our nation’s warriors well understand the challenges of bouncing back after repeated
deployments, physical or mental wounds or betrayal on the home front. As role models for
warriors in every other marketplace and life endeavor, our nation’s military men and women are
inspiring and instructive as they meet the challenges of bouncing back. The journey is not easy.
Military institutions (including supporting civilian contract agencies) are wrestling mightily with
tragically high rates of suicide, post traumatic stress, and mental and behavioral health issues, as
well as what some would term “an unraveling of military families.” In particular, the
Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are devoting significant resources and leadership
focus towards programs and protocols that mitigate these alarming trends and promote resilience.
They are making progress, but the challenges remain daunting.
MILT 525, Advanced Resilience for Leaders and Caregivers, covers the principles central to
resilience in the individual “warrior,” and expands the content one level up to consider how
leaders and caregivers insure their own resilience while setting conditions to create similar
response in the organizations and followers they lead and serve.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
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MILT 525 Syllabus
III.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE PURCHASES
Adsit, C. (2008). The combat trauma healing manual: Christ-centered solutions for
combat trauma. Newport News, VA: Military Ministry Press. ISBN:
9781419678202.
Barton, R. H. (2008). Strengthening the soul of your leadership: Seeking God in the
crucible of ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press/IVP Books. ISBN:
9780830835133.
Clark, A. (2007). Wounded soldier, healing warrior: A personal story of a Vietnam
veteran who lost his legs but found his soul. St. Paul, MN: Zenith Press. ISBN:
9780760331132.
DeMoss, N. L. (2006). Choosing Forgiveness: Your journey to freedom. Chicago, IL.:
Moody Press. ISBN: 9780802432537.
———. (2009). Choosing gratitude: Your journey to joy. Chicago, IL.: Moody Press.
ISBN: 9780802432520.
Light University. (2009). Stress and trauma Care: With military applications. Forest,
VA: Light University. (Counseling Certificate Training Program. DVD series
with workbook. http://lightuonline.com/)
Manion, J. (2010). The land between: Finding God in difficult times. Grand Rapids: MI.
Zondervan. ISBN: 9780310329985.
Smiley, S. (2010). Hope unseen: The story of the U.S. Army’s first blind active-duty
officer. New York: Howard Books, 2010. ISBN: 9781439183793.
Stowell, J. M. (2006). The upside of down: Finding hope when it hurts. Grand Rapids,
MI.: Discovery House. ISBN: 9780572931879.
IV.
V.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment (DVD)
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
Possess basic understanding of the theology of suffering and the reality of
tribulation across a broad spectrum of life scenarios, including considerations for
leaders and caregivers.
B.
Explain the concepts of resilience and Comprehensive Personal Fitness™ as
important life skills to maintain physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and
relational balance in the face of actual or potential significant life traumas,
including considerations for leaders and caregivers.
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MILT 525 Syllabus
VI.
C.
Understand the Resilience Life Cycle™ and specific Before, During, and After
applications to enhance resilience in self and others.
D.
Achieve new understanding and application of concepts to prevent burnout and
compassion fatigue in leaders and caregivers, along with specific disciplines of
replenishment.
E.
Examine, discuss, and integrate all issues, theories, assumptions, materials, etc.,
presented in the course in accord with current scholarly standards and practices.
F.
Examine, discuss, and integrate all issues, theories, assumptions, materials, etc.,
presented in the course through a Biblical world view.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings
As shown in the Course Schedule, there are 3 texts that will be read during this
course. Quizzes will include questions based on this material, as well as from the
embedded presentations viewed, so it is important to stay current. (Relates to
Learning Outcomes A, B, C, D, E, and F)
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the
related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Lecture presentations
The student will be viewing 16 presentations (2 per module/week) embedded in
the course, each about 15 minutes in length. As the student views these, he or she
should take notes on the content which will then be open for use when taking the
quiz over the content, as described below. (Relates to Learning Outcomes A, B,
C, D, E, and F)
D.
Discussion Board forums (4)
The Discussion Board forums are the online equivalent of a classroom discussion
among students. The student is expected to post an original thread on the topic
assigned by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday of Modules/Weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7, and
at least 1 response thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the same
modules/weeks. Original threads should address the topic in a clear and concise
fashion, using outside sources (quotes from our texts, other books and/or journal
articles) as needed to support one’s point. Response threads should be a reply to
someone else’s original thread. The student should also reply to the comments to
his or her original posts, as needed. Original posts are usually 1–2 paragraphs,
while responses may be fairly brief. Discussion Board posts are class-wide and
not done by a small group within this class. (Relates to Learning Outcomes B, D,
E, F)
E.
Movie Review
Each student will view War Horse and then complete a 3 page critique of the
movie as it relates to resilience for leaders and caregivers. This paper should
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MILT 525 Syllabus
adhere to APA formatting. Each paper should be supported with a minimum of 5
citation. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week
2. (Relates to Learning Outcomes A, C, F, G)
F.
4-Mat Review
The student will write a 4-Mat Review of the Koenig textbook. The review will
be a maximum of 5 pages, double-spaced. The paper will include an abstract, a
concrete response, a reflection, and a section about how the student will apply
what he or she has learned in a counseling setting. The 4-MAT Review will be
submitted through SafeAssign, which is a plagiarism detection tool. The 4-MAT
Book Review is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 6. (Relates
to Learning Outcome E)
G.
Research Paper
Utilizing information presented in the texts as well as theoretical and practical
elements from academic and Christian sources, each student will compile an
original paper of at least 12–15 pages of body text, in APA style, which
summarizes their understanding of resilience and spirituality in general, or
resilience and spirituality shown in relationship to one or more major phases of
the Resilience Life Cycle™. The student should address factors relevant to
success in the phase(s) under consideration, and spiritual and professional
approaches to resilience. A minimum of 10 scholarly sources (books and journal
articles) is required in addition to the textbooks (if you choose to cite these).
Grades will be assigned based on quality of content, how well APA guidelines are
adhered to, the richness of citations utilized, quality of expression, and biblical
integration presented. This will be due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of
Module/Week 8. Please see the paper instructions and grading rubric for
additional information. (Relates to Learning Outcomes B, C, D, E, and F)
H.
Midterm Exam
There will be 1 Midterm Exam that will cover material from the presentations and
material from the texts. The Midterm is multiple choice and true/false in nature
and is timed. The student may use notes and texts, but as they are time limited,
only by becoming familiar with the material in advance will he or she be able to
complete them successfully. Time begins when the quiz is opened and multiple
attempts are not allowed. The questions are selected at random, so each Midterm
will vary in its content. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of
Module/Week 4. (Relates to Learning Outcomes C, D, E, and F)
I.
Final Exam
There will be 1 Final Exam that will cover material from the presentations and
material from the texts. The Final is multiple choice and true/false in nature and is
timed. The student may use notes and texts, but as they are time limited, only by
becoming familiar with the material in advance will he or she be able to complete
them successfully. Time begins when the quiz is opened and multiple attempts are
not allowed. The questions are selected at random, so each Final will vary in its
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MILT 525 Syllabus
content. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.
(Relates to Learning Outcomes C, D, E, and F)
VII.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board forums (4 at 50 pts each)
Research Paper
Movie Review
4-Mat Review
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Total
B.
10
200
300
125
125
125
125
1010
Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 D+ = 740–759 D = 700–739
D- = 680–699 F = 679 and below
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MILT 525 Syllabus
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MILT 525 Syllabus
F. Limits of Confidentiality
In the event of a student’s disclosure, either verbally or in writing, of threat of
serious or foreseeable harm to self or others, abuse or neglect of a minor, elderly
or disabled person, or current involvement in criminal activity, the faculty, staff,
administrator, or supervisor will take immediate action. This action may include,
but is not limited to, immediate notification of appropriate state law enforcement
or social services personnel, emergency contacts, and notification of the
appropriate program chair or online dean. The incident and action taken will
become part of the student’s permanent record.
G. Additional Policies
1.
Academic Misconduct - Academic misconduct is strictly
prohibited. See The Graduate Catalog for specific definitions,
penalties, and processes for reporting.
2.
Correspondence
a.
Students are expected to communicate in a professional
manner at all times whenever emailing classmates,
professors, or any employee of Liberty University.
b.
Because there is no accompanying tone of voice, facial
expressions or body language, email communication is
more easily misinterpreted than face-to-face.
c.
Your emails should be courteous and well thought out to
avoid responses that will be interpreted as “flaming” or
sarcasm.
d.
Communicate complaints directly to the individual
involved. Do not send a blanket email to everyone in the
class or to administrative personnel until you have
communicated your concerns directly to the person
involved and allowed them time to respond. Do not post a
message to the class on Blackboard that is more appropriate
for an individual.
e.
Avoid offensive language of any kind.
3.
No extra credit work will be available.
4.
Students should keep copies of their papers/assignments in case the
electronic versions become corrupted or disappear.
5.
Students should check their Liberty University email accounts at
least once a day to receive information about the class, etc. Being
aware of changes, etc. is your responsibility.
6.
Students are expected to check the Bb site for this class for any
announcements, additional materials, etc. This is your
responsibility.
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MILT 525 Syllabus
H. Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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MILT 525 Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
MILT 525
Textbooks:
Dees, Resilient Warriors (2011).
Dees, Resilient Warriors Advanced Study Guide (2011).
Koenig, In the Wake of Disaster (2006).
War Horse (DVD) (2012).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
RW: intro, chs. 1–2
ASG: chs. 1–2
2 presentations
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist
DB Forum 1
10
50
2
RW: chs. 3–4
ASG: chs. 3–4
War Horse
2 presentations
Movie Review
125
3
RW: ch. 5
ASG: ch. 5
2 presentations
DB Forum 2
50
4
RW: ch. 6
ASG: ch. 6
2 presentations
Midterm Exam
125
5
RW: ch. 7
ASG: ch. 7
Koenig: chs. 1–5
2 presentations
DB Forum 3
50
6
RW: ch. 8
ASG: ch. 8
Koenig: chs. 6–10
2 presentations
4-Mat Review
125
7
RW: ch. 9
ASG: ch. 9
2 presentations
DB Forum 4
50
8
RW: ch. 10
ASG: ch. 10
2 presentations
Research Paper
Final Exam
300
125
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
RW= Resilient Warriors
ASG= Advanced Study Guide
NOTE: Each course week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59
p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.