LARC

Project GO: Global Officers Conference, San Diego State University, Nov 9-10, 2008

ROTC Language and Culture Programs; Cooperation through CSU Campus Consortia

Language and culture education are strong curricular emphases at one of the largest campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University (SDSU), with regular classes offered in Arabic, Persian, and Russian, among others. ROTC administrators at SDSU have leadership responsibilities for 13 (Army) and 15 (Air Force) programs located in the greater San Diego area. They are committed to offering cadets extensive training in critical languages and cultures, while utilizing and strengthening existing resources. A major obstacle to ROTC cadets taking courses in critical languages has been the heavy course loads that cadets typically take each semester, precluding their taking additional courses in language and culture. We address this by 1) hosting intensive summer classes to eliminate the scheduling difficulties cadets from 13-15 campuses experience in the academic year, 2) by revamping the Military Science minor to include language and culture; and 3) by offering small group language study (directed studies) in fall and spring terms. Each successive summer adds a new, higher level of intensive basic courses, also repeating prior intensive courses for those just entering the program. The goal is to institutionalize all intensive language courses by the end of the three-year pilot program and to build cadets’ proficiency through study abroad, either through SDSU or CSU programs, whichever program fits into the commissioning and proficiency-based career goals of cadets in the program. Cadets are encouraged to reach ILR level 2, and those who do could pursue Flagship programs.

Project GO: Global Officers Conference, San Diego State University, Nov 9-10, 2008