Core Courses

PL100 (General Psychology for Leaders)

General Psychology for Leaders is a course that develops the ability to apply current psychological principles. Psychology is a broad and expanding discipline and the introductory course is necessarily a survey. The focus of the course is the development of an awareness and understanding of one's own behavior and the behavior of others. Emphasis is placed on applying the behavioral principles learned to the cadets' current lives and their functioning as future officers.

PL300 (Military Leadership)

PL300 (Military Leadership) is a multidisciplinary study of leadership in organizations. Cadets gain a pragmatic understanding of the behavioral, organizational, and sociological sciences, and apply that knowledge to become better leaders, develop better leaders, and make their organizations more effective. The course surveys a carefully selected set of the most relevant and useful ideas, concepts, theories and knowledge from these sciences. A representative list of topics explored includes: leader and leadership development, character and its development, perceptions and biases, decision making, motivation, power and influence, multiple leadership theories, counseling, negotiations, team dynamics, cohesion and group development, conflict management, organizational justice, organizational culture, organizational change, socialization, and leadership in extremis. In addition to applying knowledge of these topics, cadets develop a leadership portfolio which helps refine and inform their personal approach to leading. The portfolio includes a 'Journey Line' reflection paper, an individual developmental plan, and a theoretically sound leadership philosophy. PL300 is designed to maximize direct application for cadets in their roles as leaders in the Corps of Cadets and as future Army officers.