Aerospace Studies

Professor: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Pecher (Chair)

Assistant Professor: Captain Patrick Grandsaert

Assistant Professor: Captain Willis Hudson Jr.

Santa Clara University has an agreement with San Jose State University permitting Santa Clara students to enroll in a program leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF). The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program offers a high-quality educational experience for college students in Air Force organization, history, officer skills, leadership and management, and national security policy and issues. Classes are offered on the San Jose State University campus.

Integral to the curriculum are mandatory leadership laboratories. These weekly two-hour experiences provide a dynamic environment in which cadets develop leadership and management skills by planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating exercises. Physical fitness is also an important component to our training program, students/cadets are expected to meet twice a week (2 hours) to participate in group physical conditioning.

Lower-Division Courses

AERO 1A. and B. Foundations of the U.S. Air Force

AERO 1A and 1B introduces students to the United States Air Force and encourages participation in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Featured topics include an overview of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), special programs offered through ROTC, mission and organization of the Air Force, brief history of the Air Force, introduction to leadership and leadership- related issues, Air Force Core Values, Air Force officer opportunities, and an introduction to communication studies. Leadership laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences. (1.5 units per quarter)

AERO 2A. and B. Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power

AERO 2A and 2B examines general aspects of air and space power from a historical perspective. The course covers the period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space- age systems of the global war on terror. Historical examples are provided to show the development of Air Force distinctive capabilities (previously referred to as core competencies), and missions (functions) to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today's USAF air and space power. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension, e.g., principles of war and tenets of air and space power. As a whole, this course provides the students with a knowledge-level understanding for the general employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, what the students learned about Air Force Core Values in AERO 1A and 1B will be reinforced through the use of operational examples, and they will complete several writing and briefing assignments that must meet Air Force communication skills requirements. Leadership laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences. (1.5 units per quarter)

Upper-Division Courses

AERO 131A. and B. Air Force Leadership Studies

A study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and communication skills required of an Air Force junior officer. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory leadership laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. One-year course. Prerequisites: AERO 1A, B; AERO 2A, B; or as determined by Aerospace Studies Department Chair. (4.5 units per quarter)

AERO 141A. and B. National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty

AERO 141A and 141B examines the national security process, regional studies, advanced leadership ethics, and Air Force doctrine. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. A mandatory leadership laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles. One-year course. Prerequisite or co-requisite: AERO 131A, B. (4.5 units per quarter)