(Inter)National Security
PS 407
Winter 2010
Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays 1-1:50
Location: Mondays & Wednesdays ITC310
Fridays HSS110B
CRN #: 21896
Dr. Mary Pettenger
Office: HSS 205
Phone: (503)838-8301
Email: pettengm@wou.edu
Office Hours: M, W, F 11-11:50
M & W 2-2:50, and by appointment
Web Page: www.wou.edu/~pettengm
Course Description
During the Cold War, U.S. national security was defined through the lens of the bipolar world of
the U.S. versus the Soviet Union. Since September 11, 2001, U.S. national security has shifted to
address the global war on terrorism, and other newly emerging opportunities and threats
(globalization, environment, humanitarian intervention, etc.). Underlying these events is the constant
debate of what is national security, who defines it and how do we obtain it? Many people study
national study as the primary goal of states, how and why we pursue it, and how do we balance
national security with domestic policy goals. This course is designed as an introduction to
(Inter)National Security. As such, it is divided into three sections: (1) an overview of the theoretical
context of international relations (realism, liberalism and constructivism) to understand how we think
and should think about national (and increasingly international) security, (2) a brief introduction to the
U.S. national security policymaking establishment, and (3) examinations of traditional and newly
emerging issues in (inter)national security. The purpose of the course is to enable students to gain
greater knowledge of why, how, who and what should drive the formation of U.S. national security
today and in the future.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. describe and explain the theories of realism, liberalism and constructivism in relation to the
formation of U.S. national security.
2. discuss the history, and policymaking actors, processes and institutions of U.S. national
security.
3. analyze the effectiveness of states, international organizations and individuals to identify
and respond to current opportunities and threats to (inter)national security.
4. prescribe future U.S. national security interests and policy in a post-Iraq world.
5. demonstrate improved communication skills including listening, speaking and writing.
Required Materials
(1) Kay, Sean, 2006, Global Security in the Twenty-first Century, Boulder, CO: Rowman & Littlefield
Publishers, Inc.
(2) Snow, Donald, 2009, What After Iraq? New York, NY: Pearson Longman.
(3) Articles on the class Moodle page (enrollment instructions will be handed out for the PS407
Moodle page). See the Projected Class Schedule for specific article titles and web sites – links
to all websites are on Moodle page as well.
(4) Daily review of media sources that cover U.S. policy and international news. Students should read
a daily newspaper, watch television news, read online news sources, or listen to the radio news to
learn about current events in preparation for class discussions and class assignments.
Required Materials (continued)
**You are responsible to read the assigned material before each class. This course is designed as a
hybrid lecture and seminar format. Students will be responsible to direct course discussions based on
the readings. Likewise, the lectures will not restate the information in the readings, but build off of the
information you learned while reading. We might occasionally fall behind in the schedule but can
catch up quickly. It is vital that you keep up with the assigned readings for each week. You must do
the readings to do well in the course and in class discussions.
Course Requirements, Testing Methods and Point Scale
Successful completion of PS 407 will be based upon the following assignments. Students will
be able to monitor their own progress through the course by using the point system and grading scale
below (1000 points possible).
Percentage of Total Grade Points Possible
1. Class Attendance / Movie Assignment
10%
100
2. National Security Council Simulation
30%
300
3. Research Paper
40%
400
4. Take-home Final Examination
20%
200
Total Points
1000
1. Class Attendance / Movie Assignment
Attendance will be taken randomly throughout the quarter. The professor determines
acceptable justifications for excused absences. It is to your advantage to allot the necessary time
outside of class to complete the assigned readings and assignments. In addition, students are
encouraged to ask questions of the professor and each other during lectures and class discussions. If
you miss a class, check with me for any handouts or assignments missed, and if possible, obtain a
copy of another student’s lecture notes. Not attending classes will result in a lower grade due to fewer
attendance points accumulated and missing information that could jeopardize your ability to succeed
on the examination.
 If you are late for class or leave before the end of the class, you will receive only partial
attendance credit for that day, unless you provide an acceptable excuse.
You are responsible to complete a short assignment assessing a movie (shown in class) and
its implications for U.S. National Security. The assignment will be handed out at the beginning of the
video.
2. National Security Council Simulation
The class will simulate a meeting of the U.S. National Security Council discussing a topic to be
chosen by the instructor. Each student will be assigned a Council member to role play, will need to
research and prepare position papers, and be prepared to negotiate based on his/her assigned
person’s position. Further information will be distributed several weeks before the simulation.
3. Research Paper
You will be responsible to write a 12-15 page research paper on a topic of U.S. National
Security post-Iraq of your choice (with the approval of the professor). In addition, you paper must
incorporate a review of What After Iraq? and the information from the National Security
member/agency you will role play in the simulation. Further information will be handed out in class
regarding the assignment. Plagiarizing and failure to use citations will result in an F for the
assignment. Proper citations procedures will be covered in class and in the assignment. We will be
discussing the topics of your papers in class on the day your paper is due.
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Course Requirements, Testing Methods and Point Scale (continued)
4. Take-home Final Examination
There will be one Take-home final examination for the class due at the scheduled final exam
time. The exam is designed to test your knowledge of key words and descriptive material in the
readings and lectures, your ability to analyze international relations theory, the making of U.S.
National Security and current security issues, and your ability to write essay answers. The test will be
handed out on the last day of class.
Letter Grade according to Point Totals
Points
Grade
Points
Grade
1000 – 930 = A
829 – 800 = B930 – 900 = A799 – 770 = C+
899 – 870 = B+
769 – 730 = C
869 – 830 = B
729 – 700 = C-
Points
Grade
699 – 670 = D+
669 – 630 = D
629 – 600 = D599 – 0 = F
Late Assignments
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed in the Course Schedule or
the assignment sign-up sheets. Failure to turn in the assignment on time, or to provide prior
notification with an acceptable excuse, will result in an automatic 5% grade reduction for the
assignment, and an additional one-letter grade per missed class period. No late papers will be
accepted after the last day of class.
Incompletes
Incompletes will be given only for emergency cases and by prior arrangement. It is the
responsibility of the student to make arrangements for the incomplete with the professor prior to the
final exam date.
Academic Integrity and Conduct
Cheating on tests and assignments (using unauthorized sources of information and providing
or receiving unauthorized assistance on any form of academic work), and plagiarism (knowingly
presenting someone else’s material as your own) will result in an F for the assignment, and possible
failure of the class and disciplinary action by the university. Resources will be handed out and
discussed in the class regarding plagiarism and the proper use of citations for written work. Students
may review the “Student Code of Conduct” for further information.
Important Dates
(1) The Take-home Final is due at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2010.
(2) Students who decide to drop the class without being responsible for a grade must do so by
Friday, February 12th, 2010.
Special Needs
Students with special needs (documented disability, etc.) are strongly encouraged to meet with
me during the first week of the quarter or contact the Office of Disability Services (503-838-8250). All
efforts will be made to accommodate your needs and to help you achieve the most positive outcome.
__________________________________________________________________________________
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Projected Class Schedule
(Readings and Assignments)
Week 1
Introduction to (Inter)National Security
January 4
Topic: Review of Syllabus, Learning Objectives and Class Policies
January 6
Topic: Introduction to (Inter)National Security
Readings: Kay, Chapter 1 “The Dynamics of Global Security”
Moodle, Williams “Security Studies: An Introduction”
Topic: Introduction (continued)
Readings: Moodle, Weblink – watch “President Obama on the Way Forward in
Afghanistan and Pakistan”
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZLVqhsLgIw>
Moodle, Weblink to Secretary Gate “A Balanced Strategy”
http://www.defense.gov/qdr/gates-article.html
Moodle, Weblink to Heritage Foundation “Shortsighted U.S. Policies
on Afghanistan to Bring Long-Term Problems”
<http://www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/upload/wm_2640-2.pdf>
January 8
Week 2
January 11
January 13
January 15
Week 3
Introduction to National Security and International Relations Theory
Topic: Introduction (continued) and International Relations Theory
Readings: Kay, Chapter 2 “The Quest for Power”
Topic: IR Theory (continued)
Readings: Kay, Chapter 3, “The Search for Peace”
Topic: IR Theory (continued)
Assignment: Research Paper Handout/Overview in class
Grand Strategy / U.S. National Security Establishment
January 18
NO CLASS – Martin Luther King Day
January 20
Topic: Grand Strategy / U.S. Security
Readings: Kay, Chapter 4 “Great Powers and Grand Strategy”
Moodle, Sapolsky et al “America’s Security Strategy”
Moodle, Snow “The Domestic Environment”
Topic: U.S. Security (continued)
Readings: Moodle, U.S. Defense Department/Quadrennial Defense
Review -- review website for “Top Stories”, links to “2008
National Defense Strategy” and “2006 Quadrennial Defense
Review” <http://www.defense.gov/qdr/>
Assignment: Simulation Assignment Handout / Overview in class
January 22
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Projected Class Schedule (continued)
Week 4
January 25
January 27
January 29
Week 5
February 1
February 3
February 5
Week 6
February 8
February 10
February 12
U.S. National Security Establishment (continued) / Flashpoints
Topic: President and Congress
Readings: Moodle, Sapolsky et al “Congress, special interests, and
presidents”
Topic: National Security Council
Readings: Moodle, Sarkesian “The National Security Council”
Topic: Homeland Security
Readings: Moodle Sapolsky et al “Homeland Security”
Moodle, Chertoff “Department of Homeland Security: Charting a
Path Forward”
Flashpoints / Arms Control & Weapon Proliferation / Human Security
Topic: Flashpoints
Readings: Kay, Chapter 5 “Regional Flashpoints”
Topic: The Challenge of Technology (Arms Control and Weapon Proliferation)
Readings: Kay, Chapter 6, “Technology and the Business of Security”
Moodle, Snow “Proliferation”
Moodle, Weiss “Pakistan: It’s Déjà vu All over Again”
Topic: Human Security
Readings: Kay, Chapter 8, “Human Security”
Moodle, Evans, “The Responsibility to Protect: Meeting the
Challenges”
Asymmetrical Conflict and Terrorism / Environmental and Energy Security
Topic: Asymmetrical Conflict
Readings: Kay, Chapter 7 “Asymmetrical Conflict”
Moodle, Bacevich, “The Petraeus Doctrine”
Moodle, Kilcullen “Three Pillars of Counterinsurgency”
Topic: Terrorism
Readings: Moodle, Hoffman “From the War on Terror to Global
Counterinsurgency”
Moodle, Laquer, “The Terrorism to Come”
Topic: Environmental Security
Readings: Kay, Chapter 9 “The Environment and Energy Security”
Moodle, Friedman “The Power of Green”
Moodle, Klare, “The Coming Resource Wars”
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Projected Class Schedule (continued)
Week 7
February 15
February 17
February 19
Week 8
February 22
February 24
February 26
Week 9
Domestic Security
Topic: Domestic Security
Readings: Moodle, Demmer “Civil Liberties and Homeland Security”
Moodle, Ting, “Immigration and National Security”
Topic: Movie: “Spying on the Home Front”
Topic: Movie continued
Readings: Review articles of your choice at:
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/homefront/etc/links.html#4>
Discussion of Movie and Domestic Security / National Security Council Simulation
Topic: Discussion of Movie / Simulation Preparation
Assignment: Movie Assignment due
Topic: National Security Simulation
Assignment: All Simulation Documents Due at the beginning of class
Topic: Simulation (continued)
National Security Council Simulation (continued)
March 1
Topic: Simulation (continued)
March 3
Topic: Simulation Debrief
Assignment: Simulation Debrief Assignment Due
Topic: Continuation of previous lectures
March 5
Week 10
March 8
March 10
March 12
Conclusions
Topic: Research Paper / What After Iraq? Discussion
Assignment: All Research Papers Due at the beginning of class
Topic: Future of (Inter)National Security (continued)
Readings: Kay, Chapter 10, “Meeting the Challenges of Power and
Peace”
Moodle, Current Event article (to be determined, will be
announced in class and posted on Moodle page)
Topic: Future of (Inter)National (continued) / Take-home Final Distributed
Finals Week
Take-home Final is due at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15th.
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