DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AFROTC DETACHMENT 695 (AETC)
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND PORTLAND OR 97203-5798
9 Jan 08
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL AS202 STUDENTS
FROM: AFROTC Detachment 695
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd
Portland OR 97203-5798
SUBJECT: AS202 Course Syllabus - The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power –
Spring 08
1. Course Description. A course designed to examine general aspects of air and
space power through a historical perspective. Utilizing this perspective, the course
covers a time period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age systems of
the Global War on Terror. Historical examples are provided to highlight the
development of the distinctive capabilities (previously referred to as core competencies)
and missions (functions) that have become today’s USAF air and space power.
Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in
the third dimension; the Principles of War and Tenets of Air and Space Power. On the
whole, this course provides students with a knowledge-level understanding of the
general elements of and employment of air and space power from the institutional,
doctrinal, and historical perspectives. In addition, the students will gain an appreciation
for the Air Force Core Values through the use of operational examples and will conduct
several writing and briefing assignments to meet Air Force communication skill
requirements.
2. Course Objectives. The AS200 student should know the key terms and definitions
used to describe air and space power. The individual should know the events, leaders,
and technical developments which surrounded the evolution and employment of USAF
air and space power. The individual should demonstrate basic verbal and written
communication skills. The individual should know the Air Force core values and
examples of their use throughout the evolution of U.S. Air and Space power.
3. Texts:
3.1. American Military Aviation – The Indispensable Arm, Charles J. Gross, Texas
A&M University Press, College Station, 2002. This text is abbreviated as “AMA” in the
assignments section.
3.2. Introduction to the United States Air Force, B. Chance Saltzman and Thomas
R. Searle, Airpower Research Institute, 2001. This text is abbreviated as “Intro” in the
assignments section.
3.3. The AS200 website: http://teaching.up.edu/afrotc/AS200/
4. Meeting Times and Places: Section 202A: Tuesdays, 1255-1420, Franz 223
5. Instructor Information. My office is located in the basement of Kenna Hall, Room
1. I maintain an open door policy so you may stop in at any time to speak to me
(typically 0730-1430 M-F). However, if you want to ensure we have an adequate
amount of time to discuss your issue, it is best to make an appointment. Please contact
me via phone (503-943-8243) or e-mail (durrell@up.edu) if you need assistance or if
you want to schedule a time to meet with me in my office.
6. Attendance Policy. You are expected to attend every class; you are required to
attend 80 percent of the scheduled classes to pass the course.
6.1. Excused Absence. Submit an official e-mail (see Tongue & Quill, Chapter 12)
to the instructor for approval at least 24 hours prior stating the reason for the absence.
Approval or disapproval will be returned via e-mail with instructions for make-up work (if
applicable). If make-up work is completed, the excused absence will not count against
your 80% attendance requirement.
6.2. Tardy. If you arrive late, enter the classroom and stand at attention until told to
sit by the instructor. Submit an official e-mail (see Tongue & Quill, Chapter 12) to me
within 24 hours stating the reason for your tardiness. Repeated tardiness will result in
loss of participation points (1 point for each 2 occurrences). Failure to comply with
proper notification will result in loss of one participation point.
6.3. Unexcused Absence. Submit an official e-mail (see Tongue & Quill, Chapter
12) to me within 24 hours stating the reason for your absence. I will reply with
instructions for make-up work (if applicable). Any unexcused absence will count against
the 80% attendance requirement and will result in loss of 1 participation point; failure to
comply with proper notification and/or make up work will result in another lost point.
7. Classroom Deportment.
7.1. Professional and Polite. I expect you to remain professional and polite. Being
professional means referring to each other as Mr./Ms. or Cadet plus last name; polite
means using courteous and respectful actions and language. Your actions, language,
and appearance, in and out of the classroom, reflect upon you as a person, as an
ROTC cadet, and as a future Air Force officer. Remember, the impression you make to
all who see you in uniform (or out) may be the only one they ever get of the military;
make it count.
7.2. Uniforms. We will wear the “Uniform of the Day” and render all appropriate
customs and courtesies.
7.3. Classroom Environment. We will maintain an open classroom environment to
facilitate the free exchange of ideas. We will follow the rules of academic freedom.
Simply put, ideas and opinions expressed in class may not later be attributed to that
individual. We will also follow the University of Portland’s Code of Academic Integrity
(refer to your Student Handbook for more information).
7.4. Other. Food and drink will normally be allowed in the classroom so long as the
class ensures that all trash is cleared away and the room is left in good order at the end
of class. If any consumption of food becomes a distraction to the class or the instructor,
I will ask you to put it away. Cellular phones and beepers must be placed in ‘silent’
mode and will not be used for any reason during class (no texting and no calls).
8. Grading and Evaluation Procedures. Items that will determine your final grade
include the following:
8.1. Quizes and Exams. Quizzes and exams will be a combination of multiplechoice, true/false, and/or short answer questions. They will cover all the Samples of
Behavior as presented by your Study Guide. Some may be take-home. All take home
tests must be a reflection of your own knowledge. You may use any class reference
material except fellow students. Any use of fellow students to provide answers, hints, or
even tell you where to find the answer may be construed as cheating, and hence, an
honor code violation.
8.2. Background Paper. Write a 1-page background paper in accordance with
Tongue & Quill on a leadership or followership characteristic, a core value, or Field
Training preparation.
8.3. Prepared Brief – You will be required to develop and present one “Prepared”
brief. Possible topics for the brief are the same as for the paper described above.
However, you cannot do your paper and brief on the same topic. This brief should be 5
to 10 minutes long and be prepared in Powerpoint in accordance with Tongue and Quill,
Chapter 10. A sign-up sheet will be provided.
8.4. Participation Points. Points are based on class participation, attendance,
attitude, fulfilling your Class Leader role, current event briefings, following directions,
etc.
8.5. Points and Percent Breakdown.
DESCRIPTION
POINTS
WEIGHT
Background Paper
10
10%
Prepared Brief
10
10%
Mid-term Quiz
35
35%
Semester Final Exam
35
35%
Participation Points
10
10%
TOTAL
100
100%
8.6. Late Assignments. Assignments turned in late will be penalized 10% of
available points for each day it is late.
8.7. Collaboration. For graded papers, you are expected to do your own work.
Teamwork is one of our guiding principles in AFROTC and in the Air Force, and we
encourage it, but not when it comes to graded work (unless specifically indicated).
8.8. Grading Scale. The grading scale for this course is as follows:
95-100 = A
90-94 = A87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C67-69 = D+
64-66 = D
60-63 = D<= 59 = F
9. Class Schedule. Please be prepared for the following lessons:
Date Topic
Assignment(s)
Intro to AS200 and
Lesson 6
15 Jan Airpower thru Cold War
Class Leader & Current Events Sign-ups
Part II: Vietnam I
Lesson 6: Read Gross (pp. 147-254)
Airpower thru Cold War
22 Jan
Read Saltzman (pp. 56, 60-90,
Part II: Vietnam II
125-129, 155-156)
Airpower thru Cold War
Lesson 6
29 Jan Part II: Rebuilding the
Force
Airpower in the Post Cold Lesson 7: Read Gross (pp. 254-292)
5 Feb
War: Hour I
Read Saltzman (pp. 91-108)
Airpower in the Post Cold Lesson 7
12 Feb
War: Hour II
Airpower in the Post Cold Lesson 7
19 Feb
War: Hour III
Lesson 8: Read Gross (pp. 293-304)
26 Feb Airpower Today: Hour I
Mid-Term Exam Assigned
Airpower Today: Hour II;
Lesson 8
4 Mar
Mid-Term Exam Due
10-14
Lesson 8
Spring Break
Mar
18 Mar Airpower Today: Hour III
Lesson 8
25 Mar Airpower Today: Hour IV Lesson 8
Lesson 8
1 Apr Airpower Today: Hour V
Prepared Brief sign-ups
8 Apr Founders Day
15 Apr Prepared Briefs
22 Apr Prepared Briefs
Semester Final Exam Assigned
Semester Final Exam
29 Apr
Due
10. Current Events Discussions. Unless otherwise directed, we will begin each class
by discussing one current events topic, of your choosing, related to military affairs or
national/world politics. You will have a chance to sign up for your date during our first
class. You will present your topic as an “impromptu” brief (according to Tongue & Quill,
Chapter 10) to express your viewpoints and discuss how the issue currently or
potentially affects you as a future Air Force officer. I expect you to be familiar with your
chosen topic.
11. Class Leader Duties. You will take turns being the Class Leader. You may signup on the first day of class.
11.1. General Duties. The Class Leader will sit at the front of the class. He/she is
responsible for picking up the clipboard from my office by 1200 on the day of class
(crosstown students may make other arrangements), opening the classroom, setting up
and operating the audiovisual equipment, taking attendance, distributing handouts,
making announcements, and any other duties as assigned by the instructor. Be sure to
do these things before we start class. Enlist your classmates to help you. Remember,
you are in charge that day! Your instructor will likely arrive before class. Please
continue your assigned duties until your instructor tells you to begin class (but don’t
forget to call the room to attention).
11.2. Class Start. When your instructor motions for class to begin, call the class to
attention, salute, and state: “Sir, all present or accounted for (or, Cadet(s) last name (s)
is/are absent). The class is prepared for instruction.” If there are any guests or visitors,
introduce them after reporting to your instructor. After the class starts, do not call the
room to attention for members of the detachment cadre (even the commander). If a
ranking guest is brought to the class, the instructor will either call the class to attention
or not, according to the commander’s wishes.
11.3. Class End. Your instructor will inform you to prepare for class dismissal. The
class leader will ensure those individuals assigned for the next class (current events
topics and next class leader) are reminded. The class leader will call the room to
attention, salute, and state: “Sir, class is prepared for dismissal.” Your instructor will tell
you to dismiss the class. You will turn and face the class and state, “Class dismissed.”
The Class Leader is responsible for making sure the classroom and any equipment
used during the lesson are properly secured at the conclusion of class. Ensure your
instructor has all papers, sign-up sheets, and any other material circulated during class.
Finally, please leave the classroom in better condition than you found it.
MARK P. DURRELL, Maj, USAF
AS 200 Instructor