This integrative seminar focuses on a current political and policy challenge of immense scope and importance to US armed forces, particularly to the US Army. That is, during the period of a "long war" against the forces of radical Islam how do military institutions adapt culturally and innovate technologically and organizationally to such a markedly changed security environment? Drawing from the literature of several sub-disciplines within the political sciences, cadets will review case studies of previous military adaptations to insurgent wars, both those successful and those unsuccessful. They will then apply the various theories of organizational change to the intensely political environment of current US defense policymaking with particular focus on the emerging counterinsurgency focus of the US Army. All research and writing requirements will be done within the cadets' Army branch of choice to better prepare each one for their initial years of professional service, as well as to bring the central themes of the course down to the Army and branch level. This course will bring together theoretical perspectives acquired during earlier studies and will provide future Officers the opportunity for a synthesis of their Academy experience.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Analytical writing requirements; compensatory time provided.
