This course has been labelled as a “PSIA pedagogically innovative course” (see below pedagogical format for further information).The Normandy Student Staff Ride draws upon the instructional « staff ride» method originally developed in the 19th century by the German Army, and today used by most Western militaries (notably including the US Armed Forces) in the education of their senior leaders. The course instructs students in concrete aspects of international relations in times of crisis and war, and in the difficulties and realities of war as experienced both at the level of senior leaders and their staffs as well as by the soldiers, sailors, and airmen in the actual battle space.
During a 4 two-hour sessions at Sciences Po, a theoretical introduction to strategy is proposed, followed by the study of the formulation of strategy during World War II, and an in-depth appreciation of the operational design of the Normandy Campaign of June 1944.
The student group, led by the 2 professors, will then travel to the principal sites of the Normandy landings (departure Friday morning, return Sunday afternoon, with two overnight stays). The students will confront in situ, on the actual crucially important locations of the D-Day landings the complexities and difficulties of the operations and how they were experienced by the participants. Accent will be placed in particular on challenges of the conduct of the war on the political level, on the coordination of action between the various national authorities, and the unavoidable friction between the plans as conceived and their application.
After the return from Normandy, a final class session will allow formulating and refining lessons and insights gained by the group on the ground during their confrontation with the realities of war.
Trip to Normandy: from April 4 0800 Paris to April 6 1600 Paris. Sciences Po will cover the expenses of travel in a coach equipped with WC and video projection plus both night's lodging and breakfast. For the other meals, the itinerary will allow access to inexpensive places to eat, including opportunities to purchase materials for individual picnic style meals if so desired.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Know how to design a strategy in a simple way
2. Understand the need for linkage between design and strategic execution as well as the need for continuous adaptation of the strategic project
3. Know how to link strategy, leadership and human management
Professional Skills:
- conduct a strategic analysis
- determine the essential objectives in the design of a strategy
- take into account the interactive nature of the strategic universe
- build trust and the collective