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.
