International Security (M.A.)

Faculty

Description

The International Security Studies Master of Arts Program equips students with a strong foundation to confront the ever-changing fast paced and challenging international security environment. With an emphasis on traditional and emerging transnational security threats, students are prepared for analytical, operational, and leadership careers in international security in the public and private sectors.

Degree Requirements

The MA ISS is structured around Core, Concentration, Elective, and Research components.

There are currently five concentrations available in the MA ISS Program. Students may elect to choose up to two concentrations, or they can take six electives. The available concentrations are:

The Intelligence concentration equips students with analytical skills to assess long-standing traditional and non-traditional threats. Additionally, this concentration examines the need and use of a legal/ethical framework to understand the international security environment. Finally, the concentration informs students about the critical intelligence concepts (process of collection, dissemination, consumption, assessment and feedback) required in policymaking and execution.

Terrorism represents one of the more diverse concentrations within the ISS program. In this concentration students examine the counterterrorism strategies that were implemented during the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations to confront the Al Qaeda transnational terrorist network. Additionally, students are offered an in-depth exploration of terrorism in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

The Africa and International Security concentration explores a number of critical issues: the impact of weak and failed states, the proliferation of safe havens and the expansion of terrorist-related violence, the link between piracy in Somalia and Al Shabab, and the response by regional organizations to local food, resource, environmental and human security threats.

The Middle East and International Security concentration examines the peace negotiations that governed the historic Arab-Israeli and the intractable Israeli-Palestinian disputes. On another level, the concentration exposes students to Iraq’s fledgling democratic experiment; Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons and the consequent regional instability, and it informs students about the on-going “unfinished revolutions” and the impact these tumultuous changes have had on regional stability.

The Gender and International Security concentration provides students with a systematic approach to the gendered causes, costs, and consequences of violent conflicts and the links between gender and human conceptions of security.

Core Courses (15 credit hours)

Topics covered in the core classes include but are not limited to: (1) the history of the field, (2) competing conceptions of security, (3) the role of theory, (4) the use of force by state and non-state actors, (5) the role of regional and international organizations, (6) the impact of globalization on security, (7) the emergence of new rivals to the United States, (8) how states deal with transnational crime and transnational terrorism. The objective of the core courses is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental issues that impact international security.

INT 501 SPS Transitions Seminar for Graduate StudentsThis is a non-credit seminar for students in their first semester of any School of Professional Studies graduate program. Information will be provided to students on the transition to graduate school, learning styles and study skills, academic honesty, writing expectations, research skills and quantitative literacy requirements. Assessments of writing and quantitative literacy will also be conducted.
0 credits
ISS 501 Introduction to International SecurityThis course introduces students to a variety of competing conceptions of "security"-from human security, environmental security, food security, state security, regional and global security. Second, students are exposed to a host of methodological tools and theories that indicate how international security is achieved and maintained. From another perspective, the course explores the role of regional and international organizations and the soft power and hard power strategies that are employed to maintain and preserve security. Finally, the course provides a historical perspective-utilizing crises during the Cold War, Post-Cold War and Post-September 1lth Worlds-to illustrate why security is and continues to be an elusive concept.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 505 Violent Non-State Actors and Threats to SecurityViolent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) have increasingly impacted state, regional and international security. This course examines the major VNSAs-with particular focus on the Al Qaeda's transnational network, Hezbollah, the Taliban insurgent movement, Transnational Criminal Organizations, particularly Mexican and Colombian Cartels, Somali Pirates, the MEND, to name a few-and their motivations. The second part of the course examines how violent non-state actors have impacted security at the state, regional, and international levels. The final portion of the course explores the strategies pursued by the United States (and other states or international organizations) and accesses the success/failure of those strategies to confront the threat posed by VNSAs.
3 Credits
Prerequisite: ISS 501
ISS 511 Comparative Perspectives in International SecurityCombining theory and practice, and employing the comparative approach, this course explores the increasing role and security interests of the emerging powers-China, Russia, and India. The course introduces students to the major regional flashpoints in the Middle East, Asia, Eurasia and South Asia and how those threats impact regional and international security. Additionally, the course explores how a host of transnational threats-Narco-Terrorism, Energy Security, Human Security, Population and others-have dramatically impacted international security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 515 Globalization, War, Peace and International SecurityThis course explores humanity's most persistent and tragic problems by addressing a series of topics ranging from military power, the influence of international law and organizations to prevent war, understanding the choice between war and peace, codifying the recent changes in contemporary warfare, and the impact of nuclear weapons and terrorism. These issues are viewed through the prism of globalization to enhance student understanding of an emerging interpretation of international security. From another perspective, this course evaluates three distinct 'processes' of globalization-the intensification of economic exchange, the flow of information, and marketization-and explores how these dynamics impact regional and international security.
3 Credits
Prerequisite: ISS 501
ISS 521 United Nations and International SecuritySince the conclusion of World War II, the United Nations took its place as the most important international organization. Over the course of its history two questions have defined the role of the United Nations: "Is it a debate society? Or does it have a role, as forum, vehicle, or actor, in addressing the most important security issues facing the world today? This course examines the role of the UN in preventing international and civil violence, arms control, deterring and reversing aggression, and addressing humanitarian crises. Similarly, this course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the critical issues, positions, and problems confronting the United Nations and its member states in the post-September 11 environment that have offered increased opportunities for Security Council intervention and the issues that have called into the effectiveness of the organization designed to confront threats to international security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Concentrations

Terrorism Concentration:
ISS 621 The Global War on TerrorismHistorically the American struggle against terrorism commenced long before the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Similarly, while a host of U.S. presidents have dealt with the threat of terrorism, only four have called for a war on terrorism. At issue, when did the struggle begin and when did the American response to terrorism become global? This course informs students about the origins of transnational terrorism and traces the American response. With regard to the response, the course explores the dissimilar responses by Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Of particular interest, this course pays attention to aforesaid presidential the strategies and the extent to which they impacted the threat of global terrorism to US and international security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 625 Contemporary Counter TerrorismThis course examines the theoretical debates on the evolution of transnational terrorism and then explores a host of counterterrorist responses. The opening part of the course investigates the origins of modern terrorism and it explores the always controversial debate surrounding the "definition of terrorism." Second, students are introduced to the multiple approaches to terrorism-subnational and transnational terrorism and it explores ethnic based terrorism and religious sponsored terrorism. Third, the course examines the comprehensive tools-negotiation, diplomacy, intelligence and use of force-associated with counterterrorism. Fourth, the course explores American presidential and global approaches to counterterrorism and then accesses the success and failure of these strategies. Finally, the course explores the future of counterterrorism. 3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 629 Al Qaeda and the Evolution of Fourth Generation Warfare (FGW)

Intelligence Concentration:
ISS 631 Intelligence and CounterintelligenceThis course provides students with a comprehensive foundation for understanding Intelligence and Counterintelligence (IC) as concepts, processes, and careers. The course emphasis is on the historical and contemporary approaches to Intelligence and Counterterrorism and why both are needed more now than ever to confront the ever-evolving threats to international security. Over the course of the term students will become familiar with the diverse Intelligence and Counterintelligence communities and the responsibilities these organizations have in protecting U.S. security interests. The process of collection, dissemination, consumption, and feedback within the intelligence discipline is explained. Students will also begin to consider the tr ansformational challenges that exist within the IC communities for the 21st century.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 635 Intelligence War and Non State ActorsOne of the central functions of intelligence is to provide a comparative advantage during peace and war time. This course examines the role of intelligence inherent in confronting all forms of struggle and to assess how intelligence organizations-American and foreign-have adapted to meet traditional security threats and those posed by non state actors.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 640 Strategic Intelligence, Policymaking and ExecutionExamines intelligence as an instrument for the prism of policy execution. Through the extensive employment of case studies and theory, this course examines the available instruments and how those instruments interact with policymaking and execution. Additionally, the course examines the legal/ethical framework of their use in the international security environment. Formerly ISS 640 - Strategic Intelligence and US Security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Gender and International Security Concentration:
ISS 661 Gender and International SecurityThis course provides a comprehensive examination of the intersection of gender and security. In this evolving aspect of security, students taking this course will have the opportunity to survey a host of issues to include: the role of feminist theory and security, gendered approaches to human trafficking, exploration of the impact of war on women, the role of gender and the evolution of environmental security, the incorporation of gendered concerns during the period of peacekeeping operations, and the course examines the displacement of refugees and the capture of non-combatants through the lens of gender. Having completed this course, students will be able to employ gender as an important analytical tool in understanding security, and finally, students will have a greater appreciation of the multiple gender issues that illustrate the synergy between security and gender politics.
Prerequisites: ISS 500
Credits: 3
ISS 665 Feminist Revisions of International Security TheoryThis course introduces students to a growing body of literature that rethinks security theory from feminist perspective and provides a comprehensive framework for the emerging field of feminist security studies. Students taking the course explore feminist readings of security studies and a feminist narrative approach to security that challenges the politics of security and the conceptual legitimacy of existing security practices. The gendered causes, costs, and consequences of violent conflicts are reviewed as well as the links between gender and human conceptions of security and insecurity. Upon completion of the course, students will have a greater understanding of the complex, changing relations between women and men in their quest for security in societies facing violence and conflict and will be able to apply a feminists lens to their analysis of global security issues.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 667 Role of Women, Peace and Establishment of SecurityThis course has three objectives. The opening part of the course explores of the contributions of female scholars to international security studies. The second portion of the course addresses the degree to which females have worked to secure peace in the form of conflict resolution and peace in the form of drawing attention to violence toward women or efforts to eliminate violence. The course will utilize a host of case studies to ensure that students comprehend the extensive efforts of women in these two critical areas. Finally portion of the course examines the state of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The objective of UNSCR 1325 called for, among other things, to respect the rights of women and called for the "adoption of a gender perspective" that called for special needs of women and girls during periods of repatriation and resettlement in the wake of post-conflict reconstruction. At issue, how successful was the UN in meeting these objectives? The course assesses the degree to which the resolution was implemented by the United Nations.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Africa and International Security Concentration:
ISS 645 Africa and the War on TerrorismThe abject poverty, state weakness, the presence of an abundance of ungoverned spaces or safe havens and official corruption" has made parts of Africa attractive destinations for terrorist relocation and the conduct of operations. Opportunities have developed during the pre and post-9/11 periods in Africa for the recruitment of terrorists, attainment of bases of operations and sources of funding for Al Qaeda or its affiliated terror groups. This comprehensive course provides students with an extensive examination of major terrorist groups and activities across Africa. The course highlights the internal and external indices that illustrate why Africa is second only to the Middle East in terroris t-related violence.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 653 Politics Security Threats and Crises in Africa
ISS 655 Piracy in Somalia: Regional and International Security DimensionsThis course examines the evolution of Piracy in Somalia. The course explores the internal domestic dynamics (the collapse of the regime of Siade Barre, clan violence, religious extremism and poverty) along with external factors (outside intervention, from the United Nations, the United States, and Ethiopia) and Western encroachment into local fishing areas. Second, the course explores the connection of local pirate groups and the extent to which these groups are loyal to or allies of Al Shabab. Finally, the course examines how all of these dynamics have contributed to lawlessness in Somalia and how Somali piracy has contributed to regional and international instability.
3 Credits

Middle East and International Security Concentration:
ISS 651 Middle Eastern Culture, Language, and ReligionsThis course provides an introduction to Middle Eastern and Arabic language, religion and culture as a foundation for understanding today's Arab world. This course provides students with an introduction to Arabic language, the Muslim religion, and an appreciation of Arab political and economic structures, literature and art in the light of recent political, economic and social changes. Students will be able to utilize information about the culture, languages and religions of the Middle East to develop culturally alert policy decisions and conduct threat assessments of existing and emergent groups.
Prerequisites: ISS 500, ISS 530
Credits: 3
Core: Regional Studies Elective
ISS 662 New Frontiers in Middle East SecurityThe course examines the major security challenges in the contemporary Middle East. The opening portion of the course explores the major terrorist threats in the region whether in the form of Hezbollah, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) or the diminished threat posed by Al Qaeda in Iraq or the larger threat posed by Al Qaeda central. The second portion of the course explores the Arab-Israeli conflict and the impact of U.S. negotiation strategies. At another level, the course examines the role of the United States in the stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Finally, the course explores the potential for regional nuclear proliferation in the wake of Iranian efforts to develop a n uclear device.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 675 Militant Jihadism: Radicalization, Conversion, and RecruitmentIn the wake of a wave of successful post-9/11 counterterrorism strategies aimed at eliminating high value nodes of the Al Qaeda leadership cadre, Osama bin Laden's transnational network and a host of affiliates responded by unveiling a new and more dangerous phase of the radicalization, conversion, and recruitment of terrorists. This course is designed to introduce students to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of radicalization and recruitment through the prism of the "root causes" of ideology and politics in the Muslim World and as a response to American foreign policy objectives. Second, the course explores the efforts by law enforcement and the intelligence community to respond to the current wave of recruitment within the United States (and outside the country), and explores how recruitment is being orchestrated through the Internet and via radical clerical elements and other means that have employed sanctuaries to recruit "homegrown threats" to attack U.S. security interests.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Elective Courses (18 credit hours)
Electives may be selected from among any ISS courses in the catalog and also approved cross-listed courses in the SPS catalog. Electives may also be taken from other schools in the Washington Consortium with prior permission or accepted as transfer credit in accordance with the policy on acceptance of graduate transfer credit.

ISS 530 International Law & Global SecurityThis course is designed to introduce students to the core principles and defining features of the dominant international legal systems, while also exploring the legal dynamics of large multinational agreements (i.e., European Union, NAFTA, etc.), and the changing role of international law in contemporary national and global security. Students will analyze and apply the principles of international law to armed conflict, the protection of human rights, the Geneva Convention, the use of force, state sovereignty, the evaluation law and policy regarding the spread and containment of weapons of mass destruction, legal ramifications associated with counterterrorism strategies, and the significance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in and the maintenance of international security.
3 Credits
ISS 550 Democratization, Development and International SecurityScholars have incessantly argued the strategy of "Democratic Peace theory"-the theory that suggests that although democratic states often participate in wars with non-democratic states, historically they do not wage war against fellow democratic states-is central to the protection of U.S. security interests around the world. Within and outside of this group of scholars many have suggested the theory has another valuable component-development. Divided into several parts, this course evaluates democratic peace theory and tests its utility covering the contemporary of period (1980 to the present). Second, the course surveys the role of democratic development in select regions of the world and evaluates the extent to which U.S. security was enhanced. Finally, there are two significant questions that will be addressed in this course: To what degree did the promotion of democracy around the world, particularly in those countries where Islam is present, produced unintended consequences that caused or led to instability that threatened U.S. regional security interests? How did U.S. decision makers respond to these threats to American security? Formerly ISS 550 - Democratization and US National Security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 601 Private Military Contractors and International Security
ISS 605 American Power and Security Interests After 9/11
ISS 611 The American Military and Security Threats in the 21st CenturyThe Department of Defense has carved the world into five geographic boundaries called unified commands, which together encompass the entire globe. The objective of these commands is to protect U.S. security interests around the world. This course examines the evolution of American Unified Commands and explores the extent to which the Department of Defense is prepared to adapt to a host security threats in the 21st Century. Similarly, the course addresses whether the United States can afford, and should it seek to justify, assigning responsibility to combatant commanders for every area of the globe and maintaining a military presence in well over 100 countries. Finally, the course addresses whether the myriad U.S. alliances systems are sufficient to meet the contemporary security threats.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 621 The Global War on TerrorismHistorically the American struggle against terrorism commenced long before the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Similarly, while a host of U.S. presidents have dealt with the threat of terrorism, only four have called for a war on terrorism. At issue, when did the struggle begin and when did the American response to terrorism become global? This course informs students about the origins of transnational terrorism and traces the American response. With regard to the response, the course explores the dissimilar responses by Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Of particular interest, this course pays attention to aforesaid presidential the strategies and the extent to which they impacted the threat of global terrorism to US and international security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 629 Al Qaeda and the Evolution of Fourth Generation Warfare (FGW)
ISS 635 Intelligence War and Non State ActorsOne of the central functions of intelligence is to provide a comparative advantage during peace and war time. This course examines the role of intelligence inherent in confronting all forms of struggle and to assess how intelligence organizations-American and foreign-have adapted to meet traditional security threats and those posed by non state actors.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 640 Strategic Intelligence, Policymaking and ExecutionExamines intelligence as an instrument for the prism of policy execution. Through the extensive employment of case studies and theory, this course examines the available instruments and how those instruments interact with policymaking and execution. Additionally, the course examines the legal/ethical framework of their use in the international security environment. Formerly ISS 640 - Strategic Intelligence and US Security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 645 Africa and the War on TerrorismThe abject poverty, state weakness, the presence of an abundance of ungoverned spaces or safe havens and official corruption" has made parts of Africa attractive destinations for terrorist relocation and the conduct of operations. Opportunities have developed during the pre and post-9/11 periods in Africa for the recruitment of terrorists, attainment of bases of operations and sources of funding for Al Qaeda or its affiliated terror groups. This comprehensive course provides students with an extensive examination of major terrorist groups and activities across Africa. The course highlights the internal and external indices that illustrate why Africa is second only to the Middle East in terroris t-related violence.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 651 Middle Eastern Culture, Language, and ReligionsThis course provides an introduction to Middle Eastern and Arabic language, religion and culture as a foundation for understanding today's Arab world. This course provides students with an introduction to Arabic language, the Muslim religion, and an appreciation of Arab political and economic structures, literature and art in the light of recent political, economic and social changes. Students will be able to utilize information about the culture, languages and religions of the Middle East to develop culturally alert policy decisions and conduct threat assessments of existing and emergent groups.
Prerequisites: ISS 500, ISS 530
Credits: 3
Core: Regional Studies Elective
ISS 661 Gender and International SecurityThis course provides a comprehensive examination of the intersection of gender and security. In this evolving aspect of security, students taking this course will have the opportunity to survey a host of issues to include: the role of feminist theory and security, gendered approaches to human trafficking, exploration of the impact of war on women, the role of gender and the evolution of environmental security, the incorporation of gendered concerns during the period of peacekeeping operations, and the course examines the displacement of refugees and the capture of non-combatants through the lens of gender. Having completed this course, students will be able to employ gender as an important analytical tool in understanding security, and finally, students will have a greater appreciation of the multiple gender issues that illustrate the synergy between security and gender politics.
Prerequisites: ISS 500
Credits: 3
ISS 662 New Frontiers in Middle East SecurityThe course examines the major security challenges in the contemporary Middle East. The opening portion of the course explores the major terrorist threats in the region whether in the form of Hezbollah, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) or the diminished threat posed by Al Qaeda in Iraq or the larger threat posed by Al Qaeda central. The second portion of the course explores the Arab-Israeli conflict and the impact of U.S. negotiation strategies. At another level, the course examines the role of the United States in the stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Finally, the course explores the potential for regional nuclear proliferation in the wake of Iranian efforts to develop a n uclear device.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 665 Feminist Revisions of International Security TheoryThis course introduces students to a growing body of literature that rethinks security theory from feminist perspective and provides a comprehensive framework for the emerging field of feminist security studies. Students taking the course explore feminist readings of security studies and a feminist narrative approach to security that challenges the politics of security and the conceptual legitimacy of existing security practices. The gendered causes, costs, and consequences of violent conflicts are reviewed as well as the links between gender and human conceptions of security and insecurity. Upon completion of the course, students will have a greater understanding of the complex, changing relations between women and men in their quest for security in societies facing violence and conflict and will be able to apply a feminists lens to their analysis of global security issues.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 670 Narco-Terrorism
ISS 675 Militant Jihadism: Radicalization, Conversion, and RecruitmentIn the wake of a wave of successful post-9/11 counterterrorism strategies aimed at eliminating high value nodes of the Al Qaeda leadership cadre, Osama bin Laden's transnational network and a host of affiliates responded by unveiling a new and more dangerous phase of the radicalization, conversion, and recruitment of terrorists. This course is designed to introduce students to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of radicalization and recruitment through the prism of the "root causes" of ideology and politics in the Muslim World and as a response to American foreign policy objectives. Second, the course explores the efforts by law enforcement and the intelligence community to respond to the current wave of recruitment within the United States (and outside the country), and explores how recruitment is being orchestrated through the Internet and via radical clerical elements and other means that have employed sanctuaries to recruit "homegrown threats" to attack U.S. security interests.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 681 Weapons Proliferation: International Security Implications
ISS 682 Insurgency and Counterinsurgency: Security Implications
ISS 683 China's Rise: Regional and International Security ImplicationsInitially implemented in the late-1970s with domestic and rural reforms, China's economic growth set the stage for its emergence as a "hinge threat"-not quite a superpower, but a country that possesses attributes that threaten regional security in Asia and international security as the leaders of the country continue to transfer the profits from China's economy and shift to modernization of its military. This course provides a comprehensive examination of China's economic modernization and how this newly established major power threatens regional security from two perspectives-how China's regional economic prowess threatens U.S. dominance of APEC, and because of the Chinese mili tary modernization, Taiwan, Japan and the United States are concerned about the evolving military threat. Second, the course examines Chinese economic investments around the world and its arms sales and illustrates how both undermine regional and international security. Finally, covering the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations, the course evaluates the U.S. response to what experts refer to as the "nascent" Chinese threat to international instability.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 684 Resource Politics and International SecurityThis course is designed to connect resource politics, state and regional vulnerability, war and security. The course endeavors to address a basic query: To what degree have energy security and the diverse regional politics changed since the publication of the 1980 report entitled Energy, Vulnerability and War? Put another way how has resource politics in South Asia, the Middle East, in parts of Africa, and elsewhere undermined security? The course surveys how non-actors have used resource politics to increase their standing within states and undermined state and regional security. Finally, there is this supplemental dimension: what is the role of the United States, regional and international organizations in containing these threats to security?
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 685 Cyberterrorism and International SecurityCyber terrorism remains an increasing threat to international security. In this evolving security environment, scholars and governmental analysts at multiple levels continue to analyze cyber terrorism. This course provides a historical examination of the development of cyber terrorism. Second this course provides students with the opportunity to illustrate how cyber warfare is conducted at multiple levels and against disparate targets. Third, through the use of case studies this course explores how the United States, China, Russia, North Korea, and a host of other states, along with non-state actors, particularly Al Qaeda, have employed cyber terrorism as an instrumen t of warfare. By approaching this subject from a security studies perspective, this course closes the gap between practical and theoretical academic approaches, and illustrates why cyber warfare is an ever-evolving threat to international security.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 686 Security Threats in South AsiaThis course explores contemporary security issues in South Asia. Additionally, this course explores the regional security dynamics posed by Indian-Pakistani tensions and how the possession of nuclear weapons by both parties further inflames tensions in the region. Second, the course examines the threat posed by the Taliban insurgency to Afghanistan and Pakistan security. The third part of the course explores how the twin threats posed by Al Qaeda and the Taliban impacts regional and U.S. security interests. Finally, this course examines the interplay of the aforementioned dynamics and those associated with authoritarianism, ethnic and regional conflicts, nationalism, religious extremi sm and poverty further exacerbate stability in the historically turbulent region of South Asia.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 687 U.S. Security and Politics in Latin AmericaThis course explores U.S. security policy in Latin America since the 1990. This course examines U.S. security strategy in the region from a host of perspectives: (1) as an effort to establish democracy in the region, (2) to promote the rule of the law and establish order in the region, (3) an examine of disparate presidential strategies to implement a war on drugs in the region, (4) as a response to Narco-terrorism in Colombia and Mexico, (5) as a strategy to address immigration and (6) as a strategy that confronted suspected safe havens that may be used as a vehicle for terrorism. This course assesses the degree to which these strategies succeeded in preserving U.S. security interests in the region. Finally, at another level , the course explores the consequences of U.S. policies in the region and asks if there was any unintended "blowback" that exacerbated the already declining security environment in the region.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
ISS 688 Understanding Homeland and International SecurityThis course explores the intersections between homeland and international security and the implications of these connections for preparedness. Second, the course explores why traditional strategic tools such as "deterrence and dissuasion" have been supplanted by not just the Department of Homeland Security, but new instruments such as U.S. Northern Command and a litany of cooperative networks designed to preserve U.S. national security. Third, the course explores a wide range of topics such as the effectiveness of government response to potential and actual threats of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, cyber threats, and border threats to the homel and.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None

Research (6 credit hours)
The research component includes ISS 680 for 3 credit hours; and ISS 690, a thesis under directed study for 3 credit hours. The thesis may optionally be substituted by additional elective coursework requiring substantial analytical written products.

ISS 680 Research MethodsThis course focuses on the fundamentals of research and analysis at the graduate level. The course will cover research design, strategies for data collection, hypothesis testing, forms of reasoned argument, problem of fallacies, and the process of producing a written thesis.
3 credits
ISS 690 Master's ThesisStudents will produce a Master's thesis under the guidance of a faculty advis or. During the course of a semester students are expected to propose research topics based on their course work or outside interests. Additionally, the topic may be derived from professional experiences or current events. Class meetings are designed to provide guidance in the clarification of issues, the collection of data, and the assembly of various parts of the document or paper and preparation for defense or the presentation of the final paper. Students may enroll in the course only after completing 36 credits, three of which must include the Research Course (ISS 680).
3 Credits
ISS 698 Independent StudyCourse Description: Allows students the opportunity to develop an appreciation and understanding of a program-related topic in an area of new learning through research conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Requires approval of Program Chair.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Approval of Program Chair
ISS 699 International Security Studies InternshipProvides students with the opportunity to analyze, assess and evaluate theoretical and practical concepts in the context of the professional work environment through on-the-job training and approved field-work study programs, under the joint direction and supervision of a faculty member and work-site supervisor.
Pre-requisite: Approval of faculty supervisor or program chair.
3 credits

Course Descriptions