PLS 302 Dr. Aspin (aspin at bradley.edu)
Security in the 21st Century" 426E Bradley (677-2496)
Fall 2006 Hours: MWF 10-11; 2-3 TT 1-3COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the nature and problems of achieving human security in the face of both military and non-military threats. Reflecting changes in the world and in the field of national security studies, the course will cover not only the traditional concerns of national security (e.g., creation and use of military force for physical security of the territorial-state), but also the definition and achievement of individual and global security in the face of non-military problems. The course seeks to increase understanding of the nature of the problems, to review the alternative predictions of the near future, and analyze the individual, state, and global policy options. While security policy cannot be made without value choices, no particular set of values is advocated.
COURSE MATERIALS
The following books have been ordered and are available at the book store.
Peter R. Beckman, Paul W. Crumlish, Michael N. Dobkowski, Steven P. Lee, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear States & Terrorism, 4/E, Prentice Hall, 2007
Donald M. Snow, National Security for a New Era: Globalization and Geopolitics, 2/E Pearson Longman, 2007
Any other required reading material will be found on reserve in the library or on the WWW. If space is available, some Power Point presentations will be published on a WWW home page for the course
(http://hilltop/~aspin/302nswww/index.htm).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams:
There will be two examinations in the course, a midterm and a final. Specific dates are on the course calendar. Make-up exams will be given only if two conditions are satisfied: (1) you have a valid reason, to be determined by the instructor, for not being at the regular exam, and (2) arrangements are made at least 24-hours before the regular exam.Individual Position Paper:
The new definitions of security are broad, but time and resources of any state or community are limited. As the new National Security Advisor for the President you have been asked to write a 10-15 page analysis rank ordering the five most important security problems for the US. Justify not only selecting these five above all others, but also your rank ordering of the five selected problems. All papers must be typed, written in clear English, properly documented, and the original work of the student. The final draft is due on or before December 4, 2006. No late papers will be accepted.Group Policy Proposal and Discussion Leadership:
In the second half, or issues section of the course, the lectures on Monday and Wednesday will focus on background and analysis of a problem, or problem area. Fridays will be devoted to discussing policy options for this problem, or part thereof. A student team will identify a series of policy options, analyze them, and make a recommendation. The teams work will be reported as a web page linked to the PLS 302 homepage. The team will present its results and lead the class discussion. Additional details are available on the course web page.Discussion:
The class format is lecture/discussion. You are expected to read the material for each topic and be prepared to discuss it. In addition, five class periods, Fridays in the second half of the course, will have student directed discussions. The group will present its policy proposal web site and lead the discussion on the topic. Your discussion grade includes the entire semester and not these five structured discussions.Final Grade: Your final grade will be determined as follows:
1st Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 30%
Position Paper 20%
Group Project 12.5%
Discussion 7.5%COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS
Part I Introduction
A. Traditional Conceptions of Security: Physical Violence and Military Capability
Readings: Snow, National Security for a New Era: Globalization and Geopolitics, Chs. 1, Ch 6 pages 157-171B. Expanded Conceptualizations of Security: Total Well-Being and Non-Violent Threats
Readings: Klare and Chandrani, World Security: Challenges for a New Century, 3rd ed, Ch 1 (On Reserve)Part II Traditional Approach: War as the Primary Threat and Military Force as the Solution
A. The Roots of War: Why Do Humans Destroy One Another?
Readings: Kegley and Wittkoph, World Politics, 9th ed, Ch 11 (On Reserve)B. The American Experience: Both Situation and Experiences Effect Security Choices
Readings: Snow, Ch 3C. Nuclear War: The 20th Century Threat to Human Civilization
1. Nature of Nuclear Devices: First Use & Nuclear Weapons Basics
Readings: Beckman, et al, Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear States & Terrorism, Chs 1 & 22. The Short, Intermediate and Long Term Effects: From Immediate Vaporization to Nuclear Winter
Readings: Beckman, et al, Chs 3 & 4
Surf: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.htm
Pay particular attention to the bomb damage pages in Stage 1
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/peacesite/English/Stage1/S1-5E.htm
also examine the displays in the west building
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/frame/Virtual_e/visit_e/west.htm3. Nature and Growth of Superpower Strategic Nuclear Forces: Or What Are They and Why so Many?
Readings: Beckman, et al, Ch 5, Snow Ch 8 pages 216-220, 225-2294. Attempts to Control Nuclear Devices
Readings: Beckman, et al, Ch 135. An Evaluation of the Past and Future Contributions of Nuclear Weapons to Security:
How Were They Supposed to Provide Security, Did They, and Can They Do So Now?
Readings: Beckman, et al, Chs 6, 12, 14, Snow Ch 8 pages 221-223Part III Contemporary Perspectives
A. The Uncertainty Over Security in a Changing World
1. The End of the Cold War: Demise of an Enemy and Ideological Confrontation
Readings: Snow, Ch. 42. Other Major Global Trends: More Significant Than the Ending of the Cold War?
Readings: Snow, Ch. 5; Barry Hughes, International Futures: Choices in the Creation of a New
World Order, 3rd ed., Chs 1 & 2 (On Reserve)
National Intelligence Council ,The 2020 Global Landscape, http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_globaltrend2020_es.html3. Competing Views of the Post Cold War World and Alternative General Prescriptions for Security
Readings: Snow Ch 2, Ch 6 pages 171-183, Ch 7 pages 184-190, Ch 8 pages 229-243B. Current Specific Security Issues
1. Iraq Wars: What have we done and what do we do now?
Readings: Snow Ch 9; Klare & Chandrani, Ch 72. Terrorism
Readings: Snow Ch 7, pages 204-214, Ch 10; Beckman, et al, Ch 93 Proliferation of WMD: The Second Major Threat of Violence to the US?
Readings: Beckman, et al, Chs 7 & 8; Snow Ch 8 pages 224-2254. Failed State: Security Interests and the Applicability of Force in the 2nd Tier
Readings: Snow Ch 11; Klare and Chandrani, Ch 14:
Korb & Wadhams, "A Critique of the Bush Administration's National Security Strategy,"
Stanley Foundation Policy Analysis Brief, June 2006.
US The National Security Strategy 2006, http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss/2006/5. Cyber Terrorism/War
Readings: Browse the www of Institute for the Advanced Study of Information Warfare
http://www.psycom.net/iwar.1.html6. NonViolent Threats to Individual Welfare
Readings: Climate Change--- Klare and Chandrani, Chs 16, 17
Viruses, Bugs, & Pandemics--- "Advancing The Nation's Preparedness For Pandemic Influenza"
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/pandemicflu/Part IV Security in the 21st Century
A. Global Security: Collective Action or Inaction
Readings: Klare and Chandrani, Chs 19B. National Alternatives: With and Without a Global Regime
Readings: Snow, Chs 12 & 13
Larry Aspin aspin at bradley.edu
Department of Political Science
Bradley University