Strategy and International Security Course (SIS)

Next Course: January 27 - May 23, 2014
Dates include a On-line phase (January 27 - February 21, 2014)
Resident phase (March 10 - 28, 2014)
Research phase (March 31 - May 23, 2014)
Application period: August 5 - October 7, 2013

Admissions - 2012 Syllabus - Scholarships - Application Forms

The course is conducted in English. No interpretation will be available. Fluency in the English language is required for reading theoretical and conceptual materials and for conducting group discussions. Candidates who are not native speakers of English will be interviewed telephonically prior to final selection.

» Course Director: Dr. Scott Tollefson

» Overview

This is a 14-week course, with a three-week on-line phase, three-week resident phase, and an 8-week research and writing phase. The on-line learning system Blackboard and e-mail will be used during the on-line phase, during which it is expected that participants interact with their classmates and professors in asynchronous as well as synchronous sessions. Participants are required to read an average of 80 pages per week. In the resident phase the course is conducted in a combination of individual study, discussions of the literature, conferences and panels, case study and exercises.  It is expected that students read an average of 60 pages per day. After the in-residence phase, students will have eight weeks to complete their research and conclude the paper. During this phase, they may receive on-line generic orientation and advice regarding the paper but should not expect reviews, editing, or proof-readings.

At the end of the course each participant will receive an individual evaluation, with grade.  Those seeking a transcript from the National Defense University (NDU) will receive additional guidance to meet NDU requirements.

» Course Objectives

The course permits students to improve analytical abilities for public policy evaluation by studying the formulation and implementation of strategies by actors in the national and international security environment. The course is designed to provide an educational opportunity on strategic thinking to civilian and military government officials as well as other professionals from academia, journalism, and non-government organizations directly involved with issues of national security, national defense, governance, and law enforcement. The program examines international security in the context of international relations theory. It then explores the foundation of classical and contemporary strategy, and the issues of knowledge and information management in interactive relationships where politics and the use of force are central components. The program explores why actors conceive certain decisions and movements in complex environments seeking self-interest, the role of coercion and the use of force in determining output in decision-making, and how the implementation of strategies affects the value of expected and actual results. Exercises and case studies provide historical, current, and prospective insights for the understanding of strategy design and implementation.

» Candidate Profile and Requirements

Candidates must be professionally engaged in defense or security issues in their countries, with a special focus on the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies in the security and/or defense realm, coming from the following institutions/activities:
• Career officials from the ministries/secretaries of Security and Defense.
• Officials from other ministries/secretaries, from the legislative and judicial branches that interact with security and defense, including planning and control and oversight institutions.
• NGO and think-tank staffs involved in security/defense matters, educators, academic researchers, journalists and members of political parties.
• Police and active duty military officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above;
• Doctoral students.

The course is taught at the graduate level; therefore, all candidates (civilian and military) must hold a university degree, related or equivalent work experience cannot be substituted for the degree requirement. There are no exceptions to this requirement. 

Fluency in the English language is required for reading theoretical and conceptual materials and for conducting group discussions. Candidates who are not native speakers of English will be interviewed telephonically prior to final selection.

Candidates must be able to commit to participating in the pre-course online phase as well as the on-line post-residence phase, including synchronous and asynchronous sessions with professors and classmates. Certificates will be issued only to participants who have fulfilled all academic requirements.

Candidates must have access to the internet, preferably using a wide-band DSL or LAN (optimum) connection.

CHDS graduates (both civilian and military) from resident courses held at CHDS since 1998 will be given priority over other candidates.  A minimum of one year is required between courses.