U.S. National Security Policy

Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Overview

This undergraduate lecture course provides a comprehensive introduction to the making of U.S. foreign and national security policy. Over the course of the semester, we will examine the laws that guide policymaking, study the actors and organizations involved in the interagency process, and develop a deeper understanding of how the interaction between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches shapes policy development and implementation. The course draws heavily from theories of international relations and security studies. To more deeply explore how the policymaking process plays out, most classes will feature a historical or contemporary case study.

Throughout the semester, students will read primary source documents and analysis written by political               
scientists, historians, and policymakers; engage with course materials during class discussions; and acquire hands-on experience in national security policymaking and analysis through writing and a multi-day crisis simulation.

The seminar is designed for undergraduate students interested in international relations, security studies, and public policy, although no background knowledge in political science is required.

Course Policies

Mutual Respect

Although opinions on the topics covered in the course may differ, mutual respect is critical to a successful seminar. Students are expected to arrive to class on time, actively listen to their classmates, and critically (but respectfully) engage with their classmates, instructor, and the assigned readings.

Academic Integrity

All students will uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Presenting the work of others (e.g., ideas, specific phrases, etc.) as your own is considered plagiarism, and will not be tolerated. Moreover, the use of any generative AI is not permitted in this course. Any violations will be handled according to MIT policies, which are outlined at Academic Integrity at MIT: A Handbook for Students. The MIT Writing and Communication Center website has helpful tips on how to avoid plagiarism.

Writing

The MIT Writing and Communication Center offers free one-on-one professional advice from communication experts. No matter what department or discipline you are in, the WCC helps you think more deeply into your topic, and helps you see new implications in your data, research, and ideas. The WCC also helps with non-native speaker issues, from writing and grammar to pronunciation and conversation practice.

Readings

One book is required for this course.

Roger Z. George and Harvey Rishikof, editors, The National Security Enterprise: Navigating the Labyrinth, 2nd edition (Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2017). ISBN: ‎9781626164406. [Preview with Google Books] 

For other readings, see the Readings section.

Grading Policy

ACTIVITIES	PERCENTAGES
Participation Attendance is mandatory. Participation will be evaluated based on attendance and contributions during class discussions and the simulation. (Note: quality is more important than quantity.) The most successful students will attend all classes, demonstrate comprehension of all readings, raise thought-provoking critiques of assigned material, and introduce ideas or arguments that build upon the assigned readings.	25%
Quizzes Two short, closed-book quizzes will test students on materials covered in lecture and reading.	10%
Writing Assignments Policy Memo [10%] In-Class Midterm [20%] Short Form Analytic Article [35%] For further detail on the writing assignments, see the Assignments section.	65%