F1IS 4220 - Military Power in Today's World - An American Perspective

**Changes to course information are highly likely. This section will be updated for the 2024-2025 academic year over the course of May and June.**

The course is designed to help the student understand the role of military power (both in general and specifically in the US context):
(a) within the context of all the instruments of national security strategy (diplomacy, information broadly construed, military, economic, and political);
(b) in particular concerning the specific nature, capabilities and limitations of American military power.
The course also attempts to increase the student's ability to understand the role of American military power world-wide (1) as a reflection of American culture and values, including the current controversies within the United States in these areas; and (2) as a perspective on current multiple crises and potential crises around the globe. Students themselves can influence the direction of the course, both by immediate and continued input and by their choice of presentation topics.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will increase their knowledge of military power itself, including its relationship to political and diplomatic discourse in the broadest sense
2. Students will increase their knowledge of the nature, capabilities, and limitations of American military power (that is, the United States armed forces).
3. Students will increase their knowledge of the interface of this power (a) within the US itself; (b) in various locales world wide.
4. Students will develop skills to research and assess issues pertaining to security issues.
5. Students will increase their skills in working together to investigate key aspects involving conflict and the threat of conflict.

Professional Skills:
Research in primarily military matters.
Understanding crisis decision-making.
Presentations in “official” contexts.

William HOGAN

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Online learning activities (“War Game”): / 6 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 24 hours a semestet

None.

Autumn 2024-2025

1. Presentations will be evaluated both for the written summary and the oral presentation. Collectively, they will constitute an important part of the grade (35 %).
2. Class Participation – taking into account quality over quantity of feedback (10%)
3. Individual Project on a selected branch of the US military apparatus. This will show case the student's research ability and oral presentation skills. (20%)
4. Group Project will consist of two parts: (35%)

(a) a "war game" designed to impart skills in critical decision making, planning and presentation skills

(b) a short final paper, essentially a brief essay

I will provide immediate personal feedback after each presentation, plus specific feedback to groups after most group interventions. Additionally, I will send an email with personalized feedback after each session.