DSS 832 - Advanced Survey and Writing in International Security Affairs

Credit Hours: 3

This is a required course for doctoral students. It is strongly recommended that doctoral students take DSS 832 during their first or second semester in the doctoral program. This course provides an overview of developments in the realm of international security since the end of the Cold War. It seeks to equip the students with an understanding of key issues in contemporary international security and enhance their ability to analyze these issues using various theoretical and empirical tools. It also seeks to strengthen student writing and briefing skills, with a particular focus on the particular style of professional writing and briefing most useful for students intending to advance their careers in government service or other professional positions in the field. This doctoral-level course will review key issues in contemporary international relations, including: the causes of war; the return of great power competition since the end of the Cold War; security issues in regional theaters, including Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America; efforts to combat weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and proliferation; arms control, etc. Students will have an opportunity to practice and perfect their analytic and writing skills in these subject areas. In dedicated “Writing Skills Seminars,” the writing instructor will review best practices and highlight skills that can help students to become more efficient and effective writers and briefers. These seminars will cover the most common formats and key components of written communications and briefings on national-security issues. The writing instructor also will offer 1:1 writing tutorials to each student, dedicated to improving early drafts of their course papers. A key goal of the writing and briefing portions of the course are to help students strengthen their writing and briefing skills prior to undertaking their Professional Doctoral Capstone Project.

Lecture Contact Hours: 3

Typically Offered: Spring, Summer