NAVS 402
Sched #
22037
CDR William Cody
E-mail: wcody@sandiego.edu
Phone: USD (619)260-2283
Leadership and Ethics
SDSU Classroom COM 205
T/TH 1400-1515
(3 Units)
REVISION 5
11 Mar 13
Office Hours: Thursday after class and by appointment
COM 205 (SDSU)
S. H. 113 (USD)
Course Description
This course builds on the leadership concepts students studied in Introduction to Naval Science,
which examined leadership from a values approach (Naval Service Core Values) and skills
approach (basic leadership qualities and followership); Leadership and Management, which
took a process approach, defining leadership and management; and Naval Science Lab, which
helped develop many of the skills and characteristics necessary of naval officers. This course is
designed to provide students with a foundation to make solid ethical and moral decisions,
especially as leaders in the United States Naval Service. This is a capstone course, but your
practical application began when you joined the NROTC program and will continue throughout
your life.
Course Objectives/Candidate Outcomes
Naval Science Professional Core Competency Objectives:
The Professional Core Competencies in this section should be taught during the academic
classroom portion of the Leadership and Ethics curriculum. Building on the objectives of
Leadership and Management, the student will comprehend and apply leadership principles
necessary to accomplish the Navy and Marine Corps missions through people, remembering that
war-fighting requires self-sacrifice, fighting to win, pressing the attack, inspiring the troops, and
focusing the warrior spirit.
1. The student will comprehend the moral and ethical responsibilities of the military leader.
a. The student will comprehend the leader’s moral and ethical responsibilities to the
organization and society.
b. The student will comprehend the relationship of integrity, moral courage, and ethical
behavior to authority, responsibility, and accountability.
c. The student will comprehend and apply the standards of conduct for military
personnel.
2. The student will comprehend the following personal qualities and be able to relate them to a
leader’s effectiveness:
a. Honor
d. Integrity
b. Courage (moral and physical)
e. Loyalty
c. Commitment
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3. 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.
4. 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.
a. 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.
b. The student will comprehend junior officer responsibilities relative to the military
justice system.
c. The student will comprehend Secretary of the Navy published standards of conduct
required of all naval personnel.
d. 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.
5. The student will comprehend the relationship of Navy and Marine Corps Core Values to the
role and responsibilities of a naval leader.
6. 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.
7. 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:
a. Use of authority
b. Degree of delegation and decentralization
c. The officer-enlisted professional relationship
d. Chain of command
e. Morale and esprit de corps
8. The student will know the types of, and importance of, communication within the military.
a. The student will comprehend the communications process.
b. The student will comprehend the major causes of communication breakdowns.
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c. The student will demonstrate characteristics of effective oral and written
communications.
Course Requirements/Activities
1. Reading Assignments: All reading assignments are to be completed prior to the specific
class session. Reading assignments have been selected from the above course texts and a variety of
supplemental sources. Reading assignments are categorized as either “Primary” or “Optional.” An
assignment listed in this syllabus is “Primary” (i.e., required), unless marked with an asterisk (*), in
which case it is “Optional” and serves to amplify the main reading assignment.
a. One of the objectives of this course is for students to become familiar with books on
the Navy and Marine Corps Reading List. Some of the readings are excerpts taken from books
on these lists. Books on these lists are marked with the pound sign (#)
2. Written Assignments: Writing is an essential skill for all Naval Officers. All writing
assignments will be graded for proper grammar and spelling. Assignments include quizzes,
homework, essays and examinations.
a. The following sources are accepted grammar references for written assignments:
(1) W. Strunk and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, 3rd ed., New York, NY
Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1979.
(2) Margaret Shertzer, Elements of Grammar, New York, NY, Macmillan
Publishing Co., Inc., 1986.
(3) Essentials of English, Hopper, Gale, Foote, New York, NY, Barron’s
Educational Series, Inc., 1990.
(4) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
3. Term Paper: Students will submit a 2500 - 3000 word unclassified paper on an approved
topic related to leadership and ethics, preferably with timely and relevant subject matter.
a. The paper will also include a Cover Sheet, Abstract, and Bibliography with at least five
credible sources. These items are not included in the total 2500 - 3000 word count.
b. Students will be required to identify an ethical leadership challenge facing junior
officers in the Fleet and/or FMF and develop recommendations to address that challenge.
Students will be evaluated on their ability to insightfully apply course concepts to your selected
real-world issue. They must conduct research and build well-reasoned recommendations that, a
junior officer, or an operational command can implement. This is an opportunity for students to
identify, investigate and prepare themselves for challenging issues that await them upon
commissioning.
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(1) Students must submit their topic and with a short abstract not later than the
date indicated below in this syllabus for approval.
(2) Students will research their topic. Sources for the paper will include at least
five references, a maximum of two of which shall be from the internet (.gov, .edu, .org , .mil
only), and three other references (periodicals and/or books). At least one of the references
should be from a military related professional journal (such as USNI Proceedings, The Marine
Corps Gazette, The Naval War College Review, Joint Forces Quarterly, etc.) Use MLA Style
including parenthetical reference citations and works cited page. See the MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers.
(3) Note: You must to take your term paper to your university writing center
and attach the assessment report (or a marked-up draft copy) to the assignment upon
submission. However, this does not relieve you of the responsibility to proofread and make
corrections to your paper.
4. Quizzes: Unannounced quizzes will be given at the beginning of class throughout the
semester to ensure reading comprehension and prompt class discussion. Each quiz will cover the
readings for that day. You must work alone on these quizzes and may not share answers.
Students who are tardy on the day of a quiz will receive a grade of zero (0) for that quiz. It is
your responsibility to plan ahead and take into account last minute emergencies in order to arrive
on time.
5. Homework Assignments: Written homework assignment that requires the student to critically
analyze a reading or selected case study may occasionally be required. These must be turned in at
the beginning of class. Late submissions will BE HEAVILY penalized, or may result in a zero.
The responsibility is on you to plan ahead and take into account last minute emergencies that can
arise. If you have an excused absence, the assignment must still be turned in by the beginning of
class. Unless otherwise indicated on a case-by-case basis by the instructor, students must work
alone on these assignments, may not share answers, and must not refer to any work done on the
same or similar assignments by students currently or previously enrolled in any section of NS402.
6. Labs: There will be mandatory labs during the semester that students are required to attend.
The dates and times are listed in this syllabus. Note the dates and times and plan accordingly by
identifying potential conflicts NOW and striving to reschedule your other obligations. These
labs are important and integral to linking the course themes together.
7. Exams: A mid-term examination may be term paper format and require students to apply the
principles and theory from the course. Unless otherwise indicated on a case-by-case basis by the
instructor, students must work alone on this exam, may not share answers, and must not refer to any
work done on the same or similar assignments by students currently or previously enrolled in any
section of NS402.
8. Class Preparation and Participation: As a future naval officer, students must be prepared for
assignments and meetings. Therefore, students are expected to participate, and will be
evaluated on their overall contribution to the class discussion. Participation must be
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effective, germane to the subject and logically presented. Students must demonstrate clear,
concise thought and an understanding of the course themes. Attendance and participation are an
integral part of the course. Participation is judged on students’ grasp of the assigned reading
material; their ability to apply ideas developed in the readings to new situations, including their
own experiences; and their ability to listen to, and respond relevantly to, the comments of other
students in the course.
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Assessment Plan/Grading Criteria/Rubric
Grading Scale:
94%-100% = A
80%-83% = B90%-93% = A77%-79% = C+
87%-89% = B+
74%-76% = C
84%-86% = B
70%-73% = CGrading Criteria:
Quizzes and Assignments
Midterm
Term Paper
Participation
Final
Total
67%-69%
64%-66%
60%-63%
0%-59%
= D+
=D
= D=F
15%
20%
20%
20%
25%
100%
Grading Rubric:
A: This work is insightful. It addresses the assignment in a way that indicates your
comprehension of and control over the assignment itself as well as an understanding of the
underlying concepts. The message is communicated clearly, concisely, and directly. There is a
confidence presented in this work.
B: This work meets and, at times, exceeds the basic requirements of the assignment. The work
indicates that you are beginning, at times, to think through and deal with the major ideas of the
assignment. The message is communicated with generally effective clarity, directness, and
conciseness. Some unevenness in writing may be apparent.
C: While this work offers little insight into the greater concepts of the assignment, it meets the
basic requirements. The message, for the most part, is reasonably clear, concise and direct,
although there may be unevenness in the writing.
D: The basic requirements of the assignment are partially met; however, the message is not
always communicated clearly. There is considerable unevenness in the writing.
F: The requirements of the assignment have not been met at a satisfactory level. It is not clear
that you have understood the concepts of the assignment. The writing is not clear, concise or
direct.
Requests for Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be
made for course participants with disabilities who require specific instructional and testing
modifications. Students with such requirements must identify themselves to the San Diego State
University Student Disability Services (619) 594-6473 (USD Students should contact University
of San Diego Disability Services Office (619) 260-4655) before the beginning of the course.
Every effort will be made to accommodate students’ needs, however, performance standards for
the course will not be modified in considering specific accommodations.
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Course Outline
*** **Updated 11 Mar 2013** ***
Class Session
– Date
01 - 17 JAN
Lesson†
Assigned Reading
1 – Course Overview: Mutual Expectations
Determining “Moral Health”: In-Class Ethics Survey
02 - 22 JAN
2 – Introduction to Moral Reasoning
***Random Quizzes Commence***
03 - 24 JAN
3 – Relativism
04 - 29 JAN
4 – Constitutional Ethics
05 - 31 JAN
5 – Moral Obligations and Conflicts of Loyalties
N/A
EMP Pp. 3-19, 33-43, 63-70
CSM Pp. v-viii, 13-15
Handout: 1) USS SAN JACINTO
2) Socrates and Plato
EMP Pp 23-31
CSM Pp. 213-214
Handout: 1) Objectivism vs.
Relativism
EMP Pp. 45-62, 81-95
CSM Pp. 35-36
Handout: 2) Oath of Office (Bb
.pdf). 2) Link (Bb)
EMP Pp. 71-79
CSM 25-28, 69-74, 225,226
06 - 5 FEB
6 – Utilitarianism
EMP Pp. 115-142
CSM Pp. 3-5, 75,76
*ESUPP “John Stuart Mill” and
“Utilitarianism—Theories”
07 - 7 FEB
7 – Introduction to Military Justice and Discipline: Naval
Law Part I
NL CH. 1&2
08 - 12 FEB
8 – Kantian Ethics
09 - 14 FEB
9 – Aristotle, Virtue Ethics and Character
**Term Paper Proposal Due**
10 - 19 FEB
10 – Natural Law and the Doctrine of Double Effect
11 - 21 FEB
11 – Divine Command and Religion in the Military
12 - 26 FEB
12 – Just War Theory
13 - 28 FEB
14 - 5 MAR
15 - 7 MAR
16 - 12 MAR
***Presentations, Groups I and II, Midterm Review***
EMP Pp. 143-168
CSM Pp. 115-121, 223-234
ESUPP “Kant’s Ethics” and
“Kantian and Deontological
Systems” and “Immanuel Kant”
EMP Pp. 169-193
CSM Pp. 95-98, 227
ESUPP “Aristotle” and “Virtue
Ethics or Virtue Theory” and
“Socrates” and “Plato”
EMP Pp. 195-216
ESUPP “St Thomas Aquinas”
EMP Pp. 97-111
CSM Pp. 167-176
EMP Pp. 221-239
SUPP Bin Laden Letter, Bush
speech
Gp. 1 “Incident at Shkin,” Gp. 2
“We Treat Her Like Everyone
Else
***Midterm Exam***
13 – Conduct of War
***Term Paper Abstract & 1 Page Outline Due***
14 – Law of Armed Conflict and Code of Conduct
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EMP Pp. 271-272,
CSM Pp. 17-24, 49-51, 83-102,
Naval Law Pp. 229-232
EMP Pp. 273-285, 323-334
CSM Pp. 43-48, 243-261
17 - 14 MAR
15 - Junior Officer Relationships and Mentoring
18 - 19 MAR
16 – Liberty as the Foundation for Moral Rights
19 - 21 MAR
17 – Truth Telling/Navy-Marine Corps Core Values and
Personal Ethics: Naval Law Part II
20 - 26 MAR
18 – Justice: Naval Law Part III
21 – 28 MAR
19 – The UCMJ, U.S. Navy Regs and NJP
**Term Paper in Class Peer Review**
1-5 APR
22 - 9 APR
10 APR
23 - 11 APR
24 - 16 APR
25 - 18 APR
MOG Pp. 338-346
DOG Pp. 13-25
ESUPP Naval Leadership VOE
“Followership is a Form of SelfDiscipline,” “Damn Exec,” and
“Loyalty: A Two-Way Street”
EMP Pp. 337-365
EMP Pp. 399-412
CSM Pp. 103-104, 135-140, 149158, 229-231, 235-238
NOG Ch. 2
INT Pp. 107-121
ESUPP “Department of the Navy
Core Values Charter”
EMP Pp. 367-391
CSM Pp. 207-212, 215-218
NL Pp. 49-67
MOG Pp. 424-430
NOG Pp. 356-358
CSM Pp. 201-205
ESUPP Navy Regs
**Spring Break SDSU**
20 – Legal Overview: Courts-Martial, Rights, Investigations,
Discharges, Search and Seizure, Apprehension and Restraint
***Combat Leadership Seminar – Mandatory
Attendance*** (1800)
21 – Junior Officer Counseling, FITREPS and Leadership
*** Junior Officer/Senior Enlisted Leadership Panel –
Mandatory Attendance*** (@Drill)
NL Pp. 25-47, 68-81, 133-161,
163-183, 185-194
MOG Pp. 422-424, 431-438
NOG Pp. 350-360
MOG Pp. 253-258
NOG Pp. 55-56
EMP Pp. 415-460
ESUPP “The World of Epictetus”
and “The Stoic Philosophers”
22 – Stoicism and VADM Stockdale
23 – Film: My Lai
24– Film: My Lai, Discussion
26 - 23 APR
***TERM PAPERS DUE***
27 - 25 APR
25 – Ethics in the Future, Final Review, Class Critiques
28 - 30 APR
29 - 2 MAY
***Final Exam***
26 – TBD/Class Review
***Guest Speaker TBD***
30 - 7 MAY
**8 MAY**
SDSU LAST DAY OF CLASSES
ESUPP “An Ethical Officer
Corps,” “Military or Ethics”
N/A
N/A
N/A
†Stockdale Symposium, Combat Leadership Seminar, and Junior Officer/Senior Enlisted Leadership Panel are mandatory
attendance events, and will be scheduled based on several variables. Dates will be promulgated to students when finalized.
Bibliography
(CSM) Captain W. Rick Rubel, U.S. Navy (Ret), and Dr. George R. Lucas, Jr., Case Studies in
Military Ethics for Military Leaders, 2nd ed., Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2006
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(EMP) Dr. George R. Lucas, Jr., and Captain W. Rick Rubel, U.S. Navy (retired), Ethics and the
Military Profession, The Moral Foundations of Leadership (Third Edition); Navy Senior ROTC
Edition, Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2008
(INT) Stephen L. Carter, Integrity, New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1996
(MOG) Marine Officer’s Guide, 7th ed., LtCol Kenneth Estes, USMC (Ret). Annapolis MD:
Naval Institute Press, 2008. (ISBN 978-1-59114-239-3)
(NOG) Naval Officer’s Guide, 12th ed., CDR Lesa A. McComas, USN (Ret). Annapolis MD:
Naval Institute Press, 2011. (ISBN 978-1-59114-501-1)
(NL) Naval Law: Justice and Procedure in the Sea Services, 3rd ed., Brent G. Filbert and Alan
G. Kaufman. Annapolis MD: Naval Institute Press, 1998. (ISBN 1-55750-462-8)
Appendices to NAVS 402
Class Leader: One student will be selected, as the class leader to ensure the room and audiovisual
equipment are ready for instruction. He or she will also take roll and document those arriving late.
Attendance: Attendance is MANDATORY. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Repeated
incidents will have an adverse affect on final grades. Three or more unauthorized absences will
result in a failing grade. Permission for absence must be requested in advance (via phone/email
to the Instructor). Excused absence will be granted at the sole discretion of the instructor.
Whereas one can only achieve a maximum grade in class participation by attending all classes,
even an authorized absence will result in a deduction of points in this category.
Responsibility: Students are expected to perform at a substantially higher level of maturity and
responsibility than that of most other students. In general, it is the student’s responsibility to
initiate action to resolve all personal issues and ensure that administrative matters are handled in
a timely manner.
Students shall attend all classes and submit papers on the due dates. Late assignments will incur
a 10% grade deduction per day late. Failure to complete all assignments may result in a
failing grade for the course. Should an emergency develop that warrants relief from this stated
attendance and performance policy, prior approval must be obtained directly from the
instructor. Unless otherwise arranged, assignments falling due on the day of an excused absence
remain due on or before that day.
Military Protocol: Since this is a course primarily designed for and required for NROTC students,
Naval protocol is emphasized and is a teaching point. As a matter of courtesy and custom, the first
individual to recognize entry into the classroom by the Instructor or by the Commanding Officer of
the NROTC Unit will call for “Attention on Deck.” Non-NROTC students are also asked as a
matter of courtesy to follow this custom. NROTC students must adhere to the NROTC and Navy
regulations for dress (no open –toed shoes for men) and grooming (e.g., men are to be clean shaven,
and men and women are to maintain haircuts within standards) in and out of uniform.
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Academic Dishonesty: Honesty and moral integrity are fundamental to the character of a Navy
and Marine Corps Officer. The Midshipman Honor Code states “A midshipman will not lie,
cheat, or steal.” This applies to all students in this course. Substantiated charges will result in a
failing grade and possible disenrollment from the NROTC Program with an unfavorable
recommendation regarding commissioned service. The student will also be referred to the
appropriate University officials for disciplinary proceedings. See paragraphs above regarding the
requirement to work alone in the completion of all homework, quizzes, assignments and exams.
Grade of Incomplete: The grade of Incomplete (“I”) may be recorded to indicate (1) that the
requirements of a course have been substantially completed but, for a legitimate reason, a small
fraction of the work remains to be completed, and, (2) that the record of the student in the course
justifies the expectation that he or she will complete the work and obtain the passing grade by the
deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to explain to the instructor the reasons for noncompletion of work and to request an incomplete grade prior to the posting of final grades.
Students who receive a grade of incomplete must submit all missing work no later than end of
tenth week of the next regular semester, otherwise the “I” grade will become a permanent “F.”
This course stresses facilitated group discussion. After achieving an understanding of the
fundamental theoretical concepts of Western moral traditions and ethical philosophy, we will
explore a variety of topics, such as military leadership, core values, professional ethics, the
Uniform Code of Military Justice and Navy regulations, Just War Theory, and Rules of
Engagement. Students will examine their own ethical foundation and to improve their
communication and leadership skills.
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