Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

Virginia Military Institute
Aerospace studies
DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE STUDIES
DEPARTMENT HEAD: ColONEl LEE
Curriculum is delivered in accordance with applicable service regulation and
instruction.
AS 103 and AS 104. THE AIR FORCE TODAY
1 credit
Introduces students to the USAF and AFROTC. Topics include: mission and organization,
Air Force heritage, officership and professionalism, military customs and courtesies, Air
Force officer opportunities, and communication skills.
AS 203 and AS 204. THE EVOLUTION OF USAF AIR AND SPACE POWER
1 credit
Examines air and space power through a historical perspective in addition to fundamental
truths associated with war in the third dimension. Additionally, cadets will continue to learn
Air Force core values and communication skills.
AS 213 and AS 214. AIR FORCE LAB FOR AS 203 and 204
0 credits
Prepares cadets pursuing an Air Force commission for AFROTC Summer Field Training.
AS 303 and AS 304. AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
2 credits
Emphasizes the concepts and skills required by the successful manager and leader. Includes
individual motivational and behavioral processes, leadership, communication, and group
dynamics, which provide the foundation for developing the junior officer’s professional and
officership skills. The fundamentals of management, emphasizing decision making, the use of
analytic aids in planning, organizing, and controlling in a changing environment are included.
Organizational and personal values (ethics), management of change, organizational power,
politics, and managerial strategy and tactics are discussed within the context of the military
organization. These courses must be taken with appropriate leadership laboratories.
AS 313 and AS 314. LEADERSHIP LAB FOR AS 303 and AS 304
0 credits
Leadership laboratory activities include experiences in officer-type activities. Military briefings
and Air Force case studies are used to help students apply the leadership and management
principles of this course. (Cadets who are not seeking a commission must attend LS 350
and LS 351.) These labs must be taken concurrently with the appropriate lecture course.
These courses must be taken with appropriate leadership laboratories.
AS 403 and AS 404. NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS AND
PREPARATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY
2 credits
Examines the formulation, organization, and implementation of national security policy;
evolution of strategy; management of conflict; and civil-military interaction. Includes blocks
of instruction on the military profession, officership, and the military justice system. Provides
future Air Force officers with a background of United States National Security Policy so they
can effectively function in today’s Air Force. These courses must be taken with appropriate
leadership laboratories.
AS 413 and AS 414. LEADERSHIP LAB FOR AS 403 and AS 404
0 credits
Leadership laboratory activities include advanced leadership experiences in officer-type
activities and orientation for initial active duty. (Cadets who are not seeking a commission
must attend LS 450 and LS 451.) These labs must be taken concurrently with the appropriate
lecture course.
arabic
DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
Department Head: Colonel Bulger-Barnett
1. All cadets who enter with two or more entrance units in a modern foreign language
are given placement tests and are placed in appropriate courses on the basis of the test
results, their previous high school language coursework, and after consultation with the
department head of modern languages.
2. A single year of a foreign language shall count toward meeting graduation requirements
only when the cadet is studying a second language or is taking a language as an elective.
3. Classroom work is supplemented with computer-aided language instruction in a wellequipped
Language Learning Center.
Prerequisites: Cadets must demonstrate proficiency in ML 101 in order to be admitted into
ML 102. They must, similarly, demonstrate proficiency in ML 102 before enrolling in ML 201,
and in ML 201 before enrolling in ML 202/204. Proficiency in ML 202/204 is a prerequisite for
admission to 300-level courses. Completion of two 300-level courses or their equivalent is
expected before enrollment in any 400 -level course. Once a cadet has completed work at
the 202/204 level, he/she may not return to the elementary level course for credit.
Cadets who present three or more years of a high school language or demonstrate native
or near-native language abilities may not enroll at the elementary level of that language. Such
students will have the choice of enrolling either in the first semester intermediate level of that
language or in the first semester elementary course of a different language.
AR 101. ELEMENTARY ARABIC I 3—0—3
An introduction to the fundamentals of Arabic. Primary emphasis on the acquisition of
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basic language skills (comprehending, speaking, reading, and writing) within the context
of culture and civilizations. Secondary emphasis on the cultures where Arabic is spoken.
Intended for beginners with no previous experience in the language.
AR 102. ELEMENTARY ARABIC II 3—0—3
A continuation of AR 101. Prerequisite: AR 101.
AR 201. INTERMEDIATE ARABIC 3—0—3
A continuation and systematic review of structural principles and an introduction to the
reading and discussion of cultural materials and texts with the aim of improving the four
basic language skills. Conducted as much as possible in Arabic. Prerequisite AR 102.
AR 202. INTERMEDIATE ARABIC 3—0—3
A continuation of AR 201 with emphasis on writing. This course is intended to consolidate the
basic language skills and to prepare the student for advanced work in Arabic. Conducted as
much as possible in Arabic. Readings based on civilization and culture. Prerequisite: AR 201.
AR 301W. ARABIC COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION 3—0—3
Designed to improve students’ spoken and written command of Arabic. Discussions, oral
reports, and writing assignments include topics in Arabic civilizations and cultural history.
Conducted mainly in Arabic. Prerequisite AR 202.
AR 302W. ARABIC COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION 3—0—3
A continuation of AR 301W. Prerequisite: AR 301W.
AR 314. ARABIC CIVILIZATIONS AND CULTURES 3—0—3
A survey of the history, literature, educational systems and values of the Arab Word. The
course will be based on readings from contemporary sources: Short stories, magazines,
newspapers, literary works and legal documents. The course is designed to build on the
reading and writing skills of AR 301 and AR 302. It is also intended to enhance cadets’
cultural awareness of contemporary issues, which affect the Arabic speaking world and
the United States. Prerequisite: AR 301, AR 302.
AR 315. ARABIC FOR THE MEDIA 3—0—3
Emphasizes written and aural comprehension of Arabic media (newspapers, journals,
radio and television, news broadcasts, and documentaries). The goal is to introduce and
consolidate lexical items which commonly occur in the media and in economic and scientific
texts. The principal language of instruction is Arabic. Prerequisite: Two AR 300’s.
AR 316. TOPICS IN ARABIC 3—0—3
Information and discussion of diverse topics from the Arabic-speaking world. The principal
language of instruction is Arabic. Prerequisite: Two AR 300’s. Retakes for credit.
AR 405. INDEPENDENT READINGS 3—0—3
Directed readings of major literary works. Conducted almost exclusively in Arabic.
Prerequisite: Completion of at least 9 hours beyond AR 202 or permission of the instructor
and department head. Retakes for credit.
AR 407. ADVANCED ARABIC GRAMMAR AND SYNTAX 3—0—3
A systematic study of Arabic grammar and syntax. Emphasis also on vocabulary development
and study of idiomatic expression. Prerequisite: Two AR 300’s.
AR 408. ARABIC LITERATURE OF THE 19 TH CENTURY 3—0—3
A study of major movements and writers of the 19 th century with special emphasis on
Romantic poetry and prose. Conducted in Arabic. Emphasis on developing reading and
writing skills. A research paper is required. Prerequisite: Two AR 300’s.
AR 409. ARABIC LITERATURE OF THE 20 TH CENTURY 3—0—3
A study of major writers and poets of the 20 th century with special emphasis on Naguib
Mahfouz’s Trilogy. A research paper is required. Prerequisite: Two AR 300’s.
AR 410. ADVANCED ARABIC 3—0—3
Aimed at cadet acquisition of proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic. Audiovisual materials
and authentic Arabic Texts will be the main sources of study. Students will be exposed to
and expected to master a wide range of different texts, including excerpts from the Qur’an,
newspaper articles, classical poetry and prose, modern fiction, and essays. Prerequisite:
Two AR 300s.
AR 418. ARABIC FOR BUSINESS 3—0—3
An introduction to Business Arabic. Includes a review of the grammar and syntax of the
Arabic language. The study of Arabic texts relevant to business and management practices
in different Arab counties will provide cadets with a general cultural background of Arabic
countries. Prerequisite: Two AR 300’s.
AR 420. ARABIC POETRY 3—0—3
A survey of Arabic poetry from the advent of Islam to the present. Excerpts from the major
works of prominent poets are studied for form and historical significance. Conducted in
Arabic. Research paper required. Prerequisite: Two AR 300s.
AR 450. MODERN LANGUAGE CAPSTONE COURSE 3—0—3
The student will choose a topic incorporating an analysis of historical, literary or cultural
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