Particular attention is paid to the period since World War Two. Current issues pertaining to the maintenance of national security in a democratic society are examined, including detailed analyses of: a) the role of the intelligence community; b) the changing mission of the armed forces; and c) the size and scope of the defense budget.
1) Participation in class discussion;
2) Two mid-term examinations, to be given on September 27 and October 27 (each of which counts 30% of the final grade);
3) A research paper, about 20 pages in length, on a topic to be chosen in consultation with the instructor, due on December 5 (counting 35% of the final grade);
The books below are basic texts. In addition to these
readings, supplementary assignments may occasionally be made.
1. Amos Jordan, William Taylor, &
Michael Mazarr, American National Security, 5th edition, Johns
Hopkins Press, 1999
2. Mark M. Lowenthal, Intelligence: From
Secrets to Policy, 2nd edition, CQ Press, 2002.
3. Karl Inderfurth and Loch Johnson, Fateful Decisions:
Inside the National Security Council, Oxford, 2004.
4. Dana Priest, The Mission: Waging War and
Keeping Peace in Americaœs Military, Norton, 2003.
5. Andrew J. Bacevich, The New American Militarism: How
Americans Are Seduced by War, Oxford, 2005.
6. Lawrence Korb, A New National Security Strategy in an Age of
Terrorists, Tyrants, and Weapons of Mass Destruction, Council on
Foreign Relations, 2003
To follow current issues, students are encouraged to read a good daily or weekly newspaper, such as The New York Times or The Economist, and journals such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, International Security, or The National Interest. The outline below suggests the relation of the assigned readings to broad topics covered in class sessions.
Perspectives of Theory and History:
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, chs. 1-4
Bacevich, chs. 1-4
Actors and Processes in the Making of National Security Policy:
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, chs. 5-6
Actors and Processes...
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, chs. 8-9
Priest, entire
September 27 FIRST MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Actors and Processes...
Jordan, Taylor, and Mazarr, ch. 10
Inderfurth and Johnson, entire
Actors and Processes...
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, ch. 7
Lowenthal, entire
Current Issues in National Security Policy:
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, chs. 11-15
Bacevich, chs. 5-6
October 27 SECOND MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Regional Security Challenges:
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, chs. 16-21
Bacevich, ch. 7
Emerging Challenges to National Security:
Jordan, Taylor & Mazarr, chs. 22-24
Bacevich, ch. 8
Korb, entire
December 5 TERM PAPER DUE
Students are bound by the statement on "Academic Misconduct: Standards and Definitions," found in the Student Handbook.
Students with disabilities should contact the Center for Student Academic Support to self-identify their needs in order to facilitate their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Center for Student Academic Support is located in Holmes Student Center Room 59. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of services provided by the Center for Student Academic Support such as tutoring, academic counseling, and developing study skills. The Center for Student Academic Support provides confidential consultations to any student with academic concerns as well as to students with disabilities.