Research Seminar in National Security Policy – PLCY 881
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
In this course, students will identify and discuss the major debates and issues in national security policy. Students will conduct an extensive literature review of their chosen dissertation topic. Students will work with faculty to ensure that their literature review is comprehensive and sets them up for a successful research question for their dissertation. Students will also submit a dissertation research question for review and discussion.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
As the second course in the national security cognate, this course allows the student to conduct extensive literature reviews in debates related to various facets of economic policy. Students will be encouraged to explore these debates and also develop meaningful research toward their eventual dissertation topic.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and presentations
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 will take part in four Discussions. These are meant to be reflective assignments where students engage with one another about the process of the learning experience and the emergence of possible dissertation topics. Furthermore, discussion among classmates about the various policy debates being studied, analyzed and researched is a vital part of the learning process. We hope that these assignments will be intellectually stimulating and encouraging for the student on the journey to completing the dissertation. The emphasis for these discussions is on reflection and collaboration, not on new research per se. The student will also respond thoughtfully to the comments of classmates and provide feedback and interaction to at least 2 students. The original thread should be 450-500 words, and each reply should be at least 250 words in current APA format. Support the original thread and each reply with research and citations in current APA format as needed.
Research Paper Assignments (2)
The student will discuss and research key questions and debates related to national security policy in the form of 2 papers. Each paper must be 12-14 pages of content, double-spaced in current APA format, and must include citations from relevant readings, presentations, and at least 20 scholarly sources. The student should use these assignments to experiment with and explore possible dissertation topics.
Marsden Reflection Paper Assignment
The student will discuss the importance of Christian faith-scholarship integration via a summary and evaluation of the George Marsden's arguments in his book, The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship. This paper will be completed in current APA format. In addition, this assignment should include 12-14 pages of content, double spaced, not counting any title page or
references/works cited page and include at least three to five sources in addition to the Marsden book.
Literature Review Assignment
The student will conduct a final literature review discussing his/her chosen dissertation topic/research question. The literature review will focus on the key debates associated with the question based upon the student’s research and must propose a workable dissertation question. The paper will be a minimum of 15-17 pages of double-spaced content, in current APA format, with the use of a minimum of 25 scholarly sources.
