War and Peace in American Foreign Policy
Description
From the Vietnam War to the present, the use of force in American foreign policy has fueled heated debates worldwide. This course examines the international, political, and bureaucratic factors that explain when, why, and how the United States has used its military power. Discussion will include coverage of current events, and the use of force against terrorists. Students gain a much deeper understanding of current events than they could just by following the news.
Topics include
- International sources of war and peace
- National interests and domestic political forces that influence military force
- The size and strategy of military forces, as well as the operational goals, political constraints or doctrine that drives military decisions
- Military force as an instrument of foreign policy
- Criteria for thinking about when the United States should use military force
Who should apply
Scientists, engineers and other security professionals at national labs and corporations seeking a background in treaties and policy as context for their work in defense systems, verification and other security issues.
Course Availability
The course schedule is displayed for planning purposes – courses can be modified, changed, or cancelled. Course availability will be considered finalized on the first day of open enrollment. For quarterly enrollment dates, please refer to our graduate education section.
