This course helps cadets to improve their ability to analyze the national security choices of the United States. An underlying premise is that it is useful to think strategically about national security. To think strategically means to keep in mind the need to identify and to reconcile ends, ways, and means when seeking to advance the national interests of the United States. Sound in theory, this approach is hard to implement in practice. This course introduces cadets to actors, processes, and issues that influence US national security decisions and gives cadets a greater appreciation for the challenges associated with making and implementing national security policy.
The International Politics capstone seminar provides an overview of U.S. national security policy and examines the military, political, and economic factors that influence its formulation. It establishes a conceptual framework for exploring how national interests are translated into national security policy and force structure. The course addresses three central issues: (1) the appropriate ends of national security policy, (2) the means by which we should pursue those ends, and (3) matching means with ends. Since many factors impact on strategic decisions, the course includes discussion of international, domestic, and organizational influences on national security policy. Theoretical readings combine with case studies of past and current U.S. strategic choices to illuminate critical points. The course closes by applying the lens of strategy to conduct an analysis of current proposals to revamp the structure of the Army.
Lessons
30 @ 75 min (2.000 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Policy paper; Book Review, and one or more formal oral presentations.
The International Politics capstone seminar provides an overview of U.S. national security policy and examines the military, political, and economic factors that influence its formulation. It establishes a conceptual framework for exploring how national interests are translated into national security policy and force structure. The course addresses three central issues: (1) the appropriate ends of national security policy, (2) the means by which we should pursue those ends, and (3) matching means with ends. Since many factors impact on strategic decisions, the course includes discussion of international, domestic, and organizational influences on national security policy. Theoretical readings combine with case studies of past and current U.S. strategic choices to illuminate critical points. The course closes by applying the lens of strategy to conduct an analysis of current proposals to revamp the structure of the Army.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Policy paper; Book Review, and one or more formal oral presentations.
This is the Capstone course for International Politics majors and field of study cadets. This capstone seminar provides an overview of U.S. national security policy and examines the military, political, and economic factors that influence its formulation. It establishes a conceptual framework for exploring how national interests are translated into national security policy and force structure. The course addresses three central issues: (1) the appropriate ends of national security policy, (2) the means by which we should pursue those ends, and (3) matching means with ends. Since many factors impact on strategic decisions, the course includes discussion of international, domestic, and organizational influences on national security policy. Theoretical readings combine with case studies of past and current U.S. strategic choices to illuminate critical points. The course closes by applying the lens of strategy to conduct an analysis of current proposals to revamp the structure of the Army. This course will bring together theoretical perspectives acquired during their earlier studies and will provide cadets an opportunity for a synthesis of their Academy experience.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Research paper; one or more formal oral presentations.
