PLS 302 Syllabus. Dr. Aspin (aspin at bradley.edu) World Security 488 Bradley ( )

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1 Page 1 of 7 PLS 302 Syllabus PLS 302 Dr. Aspin (aspin at bradley.edu) World Security 488 Bradley ( ) Fall 2012 Hours: MWF 10-11; TT 9-12 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course explores the nature and problems of achieving human security in the face of a rapidly changing world. Reflecting changes in both the world and the field of security studies, the course will cover not only the traditional core concerns of national security, but also the expanding approaches and issues in achieving individual and global security in the face of both military and non-military threats. The course will review the expansion of the security studies field, address the nature of security, examine some of the core classic traditional security threats, review alternative views of the world, identify requirements for effective policy, and then examine a series of key security issues from the viewpoints of the individual, the state, and the global community. While security policy cannot be made without value choices, no particular set of values is advocated. COURSE MATERIALS The following books have been ordered and are available at the book store. Michael E. Smith, International Security: Politics, Policy, Prospects, Palgrave, 2010 Alan Collins, Contemporary Security Studies, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, Any other required reading material will be found on reserve in the library or on the WWW. If space is available, some Power Point presentations will be published on a WWW home page for the course ( COURSE REQUIREMENTS Exams: There will be two examinations in the course, a midterm and a final. Specific dates are on the course calendar. Make-up exams will be given only if two conditions are satisfied: (1) you have a valid reason, to be determined by the instructor, for not being at the regular exam, and (2) arrangements are made at least 24-hours before the regular exam. See the course home page for additional details. Individual Position Paper: The new definitions of security are broad, but time and resources of any state or community are limited. As the new National Security Advisor for the President you have been asked to write a page analysis rank ordering the five most important security problems for the US. Justify not only selecting these five above all others, but also your rank ordering of the five selected problems. All papers must be typed, written in clear English, properly documented, and the original work of the student. The final draft is due on or before December 3, No late papers will be accepted. Details.

2 Page 2 of 7 Group Policy Proposal and Discussion Leadership: In the second half, or issues section of the course, the lectures on Monday and Wednesday will focus on background and analysis of a problem, or problem area. Fridays will be devoted to discussing policy options for this problem, or part thereof. A student team will identify a series of policy options, analyze them, and make a recommendation. The teams work will be reported as a web page, or PowerPoint presentation, linked to the PLS 302 homepage. The team will present its results and lead the class discussion. Additional details are available on the Group Project Discussion: The class format is lecture/discussion. You are expected to read the material for each topic and be prepared to discuss it. In addition, five class periods, Fridays in the second half of the course, will have student directed discussions. The group will present its policy proposal web site and lead the discussion on the topic. Your discussion grade includes the entire semester and not these five structured discussions. Final Grade: Your final grade will be determined as follows: 1st Midterm Exam 30.0% Final Exam 30.0% Position Paper 20.0% Group Project 12.5% Discussion 7.5% COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS Part I Introduction A. Traditional Conceptions of Security: Physical Violence and Military Capability Collins, Chs 1 and 11 B. Expanded Conceptualizations of Security: Total Well-Being and Non-Violent Threats Collins, Ch 16; Smith, Chs 1 and 2; Klare and Chandrani, World Security: Challenges for a New Century, 3rd ed, Ch 1 (On Reserve) Part II Traditional Approach: War as the Primary Threat and Military Force as the Solution A. The Roots of War: Why Do Humans Destroy One Another? Smith, Chs 4 & 5; Kegley and Wittkoph, World Politics, 9th ed, Ch 11 (On Reserve) B. The American Experience: Both Situation and Experiences Effect Security Choices

3 Page 3 of 7 Snow, National Security for a New Era, 4th ed. Ch 4 (On Reserve) C. Nuclear War: The 20th Century Threat to Human Civilization 1. First Use & Basic Physics First Use The Manhattan Project (and Before) Trinity First Weapons Hiroshima/Nagasaki The Science (The Nuclear Weapon Archive A Guide to Nuclear Weapons) Fission Physics Fusion Physics 2. Device Design and Delivery Weapons Basics (The Nuclear Weapon Archive A Guide to Nuclear Weapons) Basic Principles of Fission Weapons Gun Assembly Implosion Assembly The Teller-Ulam Design: Staged Radiation Implosion Delivery Vehicles 3. The Effects of Weapons and War Basic Effects of Nuclear Weapons pages Long Term Effects of Nuclear Weapons pages Surf: (The outline is an efficient way of viewing the damage 4. The Acquisition of Weapons and the US-USSR Nuclear Arms Race Collins, Ch 23 Snow, Ch 7 Growth The Nuclear Arms Race ( ) FC144: The Nuclear Arms Race ( ) - The Flow of History State of the world's current nuclear arsenals Global nuclear weapons inventories,

4 Page 4 of 7 Nuclear Notebook Index ( 5. Space: The Final Expansion? The Satellite Wars Did Romney Just Endorse Space-Based Weaponshttp:// C. Active Defense Missile Defense:The Current Debate D. Arms Control Obama vs McCain Arms Control and Nonproliferation: A Catalog of Treaties and Agreements F. Strategic Doctrine: Purpose and Use of Weapons Collins, Chs 17 and 19 Snow, Ch 10, pp Hans M. Kristensen, Obama and the Nuclear War Plan Amy F. Woolf, Nuclear Weapons in U.S. National Security Policy: Past, Present, and Prospects Nuclear Plan Shows Cuts and Massive Investments, The Obama Administration s New Nuclear Policy -administrations-npr.html Part III Contemporary Situation: Changing Conditions and Perspectives A. The Uncertainty Over Security in a Changing World 1. Sea Change: End of the Cold War and Changing Polarity Collins, Ch 16

5 Page 5 of 7 Snow, Ch. 6 Rising Powers: the new global reality TSF Rising Powers 2. The Future of Global Mega Trends Smith, Ch 12 Snow, Ch. 8 Barry Hughes, International Futures: Choices in the Creation of a New World Order, 3rd ed., Chs 1 & 2 (On Reserve) National Intelligence Council, Global Trends Alternative Perspectives and Clashing Prescriptions for Security Collins Chs 2, 3, 4 4. Requirements for Effective Security Policy Smith, Ch. 3 Collins, Ch 17 Snow, Ch. 3 US The National Security Strategy 2010, B. Current Security Issues 1. Proliferation of WMD: The Second Major Threat of Violence to the US? Smith, Ch 6 Nuclear Proliferation and Terrorism: Can "rogue" states and terrorists acquire nuclear weapons id=cqresrre Bombs, Carrots, and Sticks: The Use of Incentives and Sanctions David Cortright and George A. Lopez Why Selective Engagement? Iranian and Western Interests Are Closer Than You Think Riccardo Redaelli Nuclear Proliferation and the New Global Reality, Stanley Foundation CrossCuttingThemeId=1&Expand=1&PagePopup=1 2. Terrorism Smith, Ch 7 Collins, Ch Failed State: Security Interests and the Applicability of Force in the 2nd Tier Collins, Chs 12 and 21 Snow, Ch 13; pp

6 Page 6 of 7 4. West Asia Klare and Chandrani, Ch 14: Korb & Wadhams, "A Critique of the Bush Administration's National Security Strategy," Stanley Foundation Policy Analysis Brief, June US The National Security Strategy 2010, Klare & Chandrani, Ch 7 Snow, Ch 12; 5. Environmental Security Smith, Ch 10 Collins, Ch 14 Klare and Chandrani, Chs 16, Cyber Security Browse the www of Institute for the Advanced Study of Information Warfare 7. Energy Security 8. Health Security Collins, Ch 22 Energy --- Energy and the New Global Reality, Stanley Foundation crosscuttingthemeid=2 Smith, Ch 11 Collins, Ch 24 National Intelligence Council, Strategic Implications of Global Health Part IV Security in the 21st Century A. Conclusions: The Field, Global Security, and National Alternatives Smith, Conclusion Collins Ch 27 Klare and Chandrani, Chs 19 Gordon Adams, Establishing the next president's national security agenda: Part I Larry Aspin aspin at bradley.edu

7 Page 7 of 7 Department of Political Science Bradley University