P A 388K: Military Strategy
Prof. Alan J. Kuperman
War may appear necessary and heroic, such as World War II against Hitler. Or it can seem foolish and counter-productive, as many view the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The key difference is “military strategy,” how armed forces can and should be utilized – or not – to achieve political objectives.
This is the foundational course in security studies, and a version of it is typically required for graduate degrees in the field. It employs history to infer lessons about the use of force. 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. Grading is based on class participation, two five-page papers, and a final exam.