NSEC 502 Christian Values in National Security

This course examines ethics, character and worldview challenges in national security for individuals and organizations. Students will also analyze conflict, interventions, intelligence operations, and homeland security considering ethics, religious and moral doctrines (including from Christian scripture and teachings), relevant to national defense, intelligence operations, and homeland security.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


This course examines the need, importance and status of Judeo-Christian values, ethics and character in the American national security arena; it will also explore individual godly character and ethics as well as organizational ethics from a Judeo-Christian worldview. Gen. Matthew Ridgway said it best: “Without character—particularly in the military [national security]–failure in peace, disaster in war, or, at best, mediocrity in both will result.” That makes this course’s subject matter foundational, and its importance an imperative to the national security program (NSEC).


Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be 500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and include 5 total references (1 outside scholarly source, plus the Bible or worldview reference) in APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250 words and incorporate at least 2 total references, plus the Bible, in APA format. 

Personal Philosophy and Vision Paper Assignment

The student will write a 5–7-page paper in current APA format that focuses on a personal character, virtues, ethics and worldview vision. The paper must include 5 references (2 outside scholarly references) plus 1 Bible reference.

Ethical Scenario Paper Assignments (2)

The student will write two 5–7-page papers in a modified APA format that focuses on 1 or more ethical dilemmas. The paper must include at least 5 references plus the Bible (6 total).

Research Paper Assignments (3)

The student will write an 8–10-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on a key topic approved by the instructor. The paper must include at least 10 total references (including 4 outside scholarly references) plus the Bible.

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module(s): Week(s). Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 8 short-answer and 4 essay questions, with a 2-hour and 30-minute time limit.


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