GOVT 496 National Security Studies Capstone

This course is designed to synthesize all elements of National Security Studies into a final interactive course and exercise. Students will apply their knowledge of the aspects of U.S. National Security, including democracy, military operations, homeland security, politics and diplomacy, intelligence, the economy, and other contributing factors into a series of class discussions, decision papers, and a culminating exercise in order to demonstrate their comprehension of the expansive topic of National Security. Registration Requirements: Upper Division Standing.

This course will provide Students in the National Security Studies Program with opportunities to apply and synthesize course material presented in other National Security-related courses,  designed to encapsulate the essential elements of the U.S. National Security framework with a Christian worldview.  This capstone course will coalesce the elements of U.S. National Power using the D.I.M.E. (i.e., Diplomacy, Information, Military, Economics) framework and illuminate current and emerging dimensions and approaches to U.S. National Security thru the lenses of the post-Cold War era landscape and the four ‘C’s construct (i.e., Competition, Crisis, Conflict, Change).  This course will prepare Students for post-graduation employment in U.S. Government departments and agencies that are part of the National Security infrastructure, providing discussions and opportunities to consider National Security issues as they relate to Christian thought and support to National Security decisionmaking. 

Textbook Reading

The Student will complete textbook readings each week of the course along with supplemental announcement/presentations/notes from the Instructor.

Course Requirements Checklist (CRC)

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

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the Student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. The Student will post one thread of at least (250) words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. For each thread, Students must support their assertions with at least (2) scholarly citations in APA–7 format. In addition to the thread, the Student is required to reply to (2) other Classmates’ threads. Each reply must be (150) words. Each reply must incorporate at least one (1) scholarly citation in APA–7 format. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)

Table-Top Exercise (TTX) Assignment

This assignment is to be completed in (3) parts:

For this TTX, you will be provided with a National Security scenario/scene-setter. Students will begin work in Module 5: Week 5. Students will work individually, but may consult with other Students and the Instructor during each of the (3) parts. The Table-Top Exercise will be completed in (3) parts:

Part I: Each Student will submit two scenario-driven point papers. Each Student will submit a single-page point paper on Diplomatic options and a separate single-page point paper on Economic options. Each point paper will be no more than one page in length.  Length does not include the Title Page or the References Page, both of which are required for complete, fully-developed responses.  (CLOs: A, B, C, D, G)

Part II: Each Student will submit two scenario-driven point papers.  Each Student will submit a single-page point paper on Military options and a separate single-page point paper on Information/Intelligence options.  Each point paper will be no more than one page in length.  Length does not include the Title Page or the References Page, both of which are required for complete, fully-developed responses.  (CLOs: A, B, C, E, F)

Part III: Each Student will coalesce a 2-page (notional) National Security staff memorandum using the point papers submitted in the TTX Parts I & II as a starting point.  A National Security staff memoranda will be submitted, presenting a (notional) National Security senior leader options for approaching and implementing policy & strategy to solve the dilemma presented in the scenario/scene-setter. Length does not include the Title Page or the References Page, both of which are required for complete, fully-developed responses.   (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)

Final Paper Assignment

Each Student will submit a 3- to 4-page, research-based paper in current APA–7  style format that addresses:

1) What the Student thinks is the greatest emerging U.S. National Security challenge;

2) Which of the four ‘C’s (i.e., Competition, Crisis, Conflict, Change) the Student thinks the U.S. should use as its approach to the challenge; and,

3) What the Student thinks the D.I.M.E. (i.e., Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic) options are feasible for a U.S. response to the challenge.

The paper must include at least (4) cited references in addition to the course textbook and the Bible. Length does not include the Title Page or the References Page, both of which are required for complete, fully-developed responses. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)

Quizzes (2):

The two quizzes in the course are each essay format – one covering the Learn material for the first (4) Modules: Weeks (i.e., Midterm Essays), one covering all Modules: Weeks (i.e., Final Essays).  Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes; each will contain (2) essay questions; and each will have a 3-hour time limit.  The essay responses must include at least (1) cited academic reference in addition to the course textbook and the Bible.  (Midterm Essays test CLOs: A, B, C, D, G; Finals Essays test CLOs: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)