Fall 2015 - 59945 - PA388K - Advanced Topics in Public Policy

Military Strategy

This course is an introduction to strategic studies, which explores how military means are used to serve political ends.  The syllabus is arranged both thematically and chronologically, focusing each week on a few key concepts while tracing the evolution of modern warfare since the late 19th century.  The guiding heuristic is Carl von Clausewitz's On War, which is contrasted with several alternate paradigms.  No auditors are permitted in the seminar because it is based on student discussion of the assigned readings.  The reading list is substantial, and students are expected to do each week’s readings prior to class.  Grading is based on the following requirements: regular attendance and class participation (20%); two five-page writing assignments, in which students will be asked to apply themes from the course to recent politico-military events (20% each); and a final exam (40%). 

Books Available for Purchase: Students are required to purchase the following book, which they will read early in the semester and refer back to repeatedly, including for the writing assignments:

Carl von Clausewitz, On War, Michael Howard and Peter Paret, trans. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984).

All other course readings are on Canvas.