An introduction to the field of international security
This course has three related purposes. First, it introduces students to the major theoretical and analytical frameworks used by scholars and analysts of national and international security. Second, it provides a review of the modern debates on a range of timely issues in international security. Finally, it aims to help students improve their analytical tradecraft.
The substantive debates in the field of international security
The leading theories and frameworks used to investigate international security affairs
The leading teories and policies relating to the use of military force
Better analytical frameworks of your own for studying international security
All of the books are at the GMU bookstore as well as online stores. All other materials will be available on Blackboard.
Required Books
This is a seminar, not a lecture. The course will go as well as the conversation. Come with an open mind and be prepared to learn through close interrogation of the material and the co-construction of knowledge through debate with each other.
Note: I do not expect students to have an extensive background in security studies but I do expect everyone to read the material before class and to share their thoughts and insights with the class. I especially encourage those students who have professional experience with these subjects to share their knowledge.
Seminars depend on people showing up ready to rumble. Do the readings, caffeinate as necessary, and do your part to keep things interesting.
All students will be assigned to a three-person team. Teams are free to determine the workload in any manner they choose. All will receive a single team grade for each
Students will write a fairly meaty policy memo for the UN Security Council on a current issue of international security of their choice. Due Sunday May 10 by midnight, uploaded to Blackboard. Instructions available via the course Blackboard site.
2 Jan 29 | Causes of War
Analyst’s Toolkit: Dimensions, categories, and matrices
| Why do states go to war?
– Levy, “The Causes of War and the Conditions for Peace,” – Van Evera, “Offense, Defense, and the Causes of War,” – Van Evera, “Hypotheses on Nationalism and War,”
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3 Feb 5 | Disorder and Anarchy Analyst’s Toolkit: Identifying and creating variables
| What is the liberal international order? What does it mean for U.S. grand strategy?
– Porter, “A World Imagined,” – Selections TBA from What Was the Liberal Order? – Posen, “Step Back,” – Brooks and Wohlforth, “Lean Forward,”’
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Week | Topic | Readings & Questions |
4 Feb 12 | Strategy & Security
Analyst’s Toolkit: Writing memos | What is the role of strategy in international security?
– Art and Greenhill, The Use of Force, Chs. 1-4, 7-11, and 18 – Thrall, “Five Steps to Writing Killer Memos,”
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Threats and Challenges to International Security | ||
5 Feb 19 | Threat Assessment
Assessing how states and leaders perceive threats
Analyst’s Toolkit: Operationalizing variables | How do states and leaders perceive threats?
– Snyder, “Imperial Temptations,” – Booth and Wheeler, “Rethinking the Security Dilemma,” – Stein, “Threat Perception in International Relations,” |
6 Feb 26 | Case Studies in Deterrence and Coercion
Memo #1 Due Today:
| When do deterrence and coercion work and fail?
Teams will present their case study analyses today |
7 Mar 4 | Nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation
Analyst’s Toolkit: Creating analytical frameworks
| How do nuclear weapons influence international affairs and conflict?
– Sagan and Waltz, Nuclear Weapons, An Enduring Debate (all) |
Mar 11 | Spring break | No readings or lectures this week
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Week | Topic | Readings & Questions |
8 Mar 18 | Civil wars, failed states, and humanitarian disasters
Analyst’s Toolkit: Forecasting the future | Do failed states represent a threat or a duty for the international community? Who decides and on what basis?
– Evans and Sahnoun, “The Responsibility to Protect” – Singer, “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” – David, “Why the Third World Still Matters,” – Van Evera, “Why Europe Matters, Why the Third Doesn’t,” – Pape, “When Duty Calls,”
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9 Mar 25 | Renewed Great Power Competition Analyst’s Toolkit: Writing op-eds
| Is the world witnessing renewed great power competition? What are the implications?
– Brands, “The Chinese Century?” – Shifrinson, “Should the United States Fear China’s Rise?” – Daalder, “Responding to Russia’s Resurgence,” – Graham, “Let Russia Be Russia,”
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10 Apr 1 | Emerging Threats
Memo #2 Due Today | What should we fear next? How likely are emerging threats to actually emerge?
Students will present their emerging threat analyses today.
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Preventing War, Promoting Stability?? | ||
11 Apr 8 | International Institutions
Analyst’s Toolkit: Generating policy recommendations | Does the United Nations help promote a more peaceful world?
– Goldstein, Winning the War on War: The Decline of Armed Conflict Worldwide (all)
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Week | Topic | Readings & Questions |
12 Apr 15 | U.S. Military Intervention
Analyst’s Toolkit: TBD | Do American (or other) military interventions enhance regional stability and international security?
– Zenko, Between Threats and War (all)
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13 Apr 22 | Democracy Promotion and Nation Building
Analyst’s Toolkit: TBD | Does democracy promotion work? Does nation-building work?
– Downes and Monten, “Forced to be Free?” – Dobbins, et al., America’s Role in Nation Building (Read Executive Summary, Introduction, Lessons Learned; one case chapter to be assigned in class) – Afghanistan Papers, selections TBD
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Parting Thoughts about the Politics of National Security in the United States | ||
14 Apr 29 | Domestic Politics and International Security
Analyst’s Toolkit: How to interpret public opinion polls | How do people think about war and foreign policy?
– Kertzer et al, “Moral Support: How Moral Values Shape Foreign Policy Attitudes,” – Jentleson, “Still Pretty Prudent: Post-Cold War American public opinion on the use of military force,” – Thrall et al, “Clash of Generations?”
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May 6 Final policy memo due via Blackboard by midnight | ||