PILOT PROJECT FOR ROTC STRATEGIC LANGUAGES AND CULTURES PROGRAM AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY

 

The Strategic Languages and Cultures Task Force at Indiana University has been awarded a grant from the Institute of International Education under the National Security Education Program (NSEP), established by the Department of Defense. With the grant, the Strategic Languages and Cultures Task Force will create a pilot project—the ROTC Strategic Languages and Cultures Program.


The 2008-2009 ROTC Strategic Languages and Cultures Program Application Process is Now Open.
The total number of cadets to be enrolled in this program will be 25. The grant allows Indiana University to award 25 ROTC cadets scholarships for training in strategic languages and cultures. The main elements of the Indiana University ROTC Strategic Languages and Cultures Program (SLCP) are:

1. One year of study of one of the strategic languages Arabic, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Pashto, Russian, Tajik, Turkmen, Uyghur, Uzbek. See below for basic information on these languages, as well as the amount of credit for each course. The year of study of these languages will be divided into two parts:
a. Intensive Summer Session at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, June – August 2008. All cadets will study one of these strategic languages during the summer 2008. For the summer intensive language training, SLCP teams with Indiana University's Summer Worshop in Slavic, East European, and Central Asian Languages (SWSEEL). Language classes and workshops will begin approximately on June 11 and continue for 8-9 weeks with daily meetings for up to 4 hours. Students will earn one full year of college foreign language credit in just 8-9 weeks of intensive study.
b. Academic Year Study (2008/2009). All cadets who successfully pass their summer intensive study of a strategic language of their choice will enroll in a second year language program at their home institution. Indiana University will offer distance education courses in only Pashto, Tajik, and Uzbek during the 2008/2009 academic year so all cadets may be able to continue with intermediate level instruction whether or not their home institutions offers the language.


2. Scholarships will be awarded to 25 ROTC cadets through a competitive process. Eligibile cadets may apply to the program by February 15, 2008 and will have to submit application materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose) on-line . Scholarships will cover the cost of tuition and room and board for the summer language program. Additional scholarships will be awarded to cadets who successfully complete the summer language program for their study of strategic languages during the 2008/2009 academic year.


3. Strategic Languages. The Indiana University SLCP will offer training in the following languages:

 

4. SLCP Seminar. The SLCP also involves a seminar specifically for ROTC cadets, which focuses on the importance of language and cultural training and knowledge in the conduct of military, security, intelligence, and policy operations. The seminar will involve ROTC cadets interacting with military, government, and non-governmental experts in order to enhance the cadets’ understanding of religious, cultural, political, economic, and geopolitical aspects of U.S. foreign policy and national security with respect to the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucuses, and Russia. The seminar will give the cadets relevant context and perspective that will enrich their training in strategic languages and cultures.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the atuhros(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Security Education Program (NSEP).