Description of Minor (18 credits)
The U.S government once called our primary challenge for this century "The Long War," more popularly known as the War on Terror, but other important long-term national security challenges also loom: the rise of China, energy and natural resource shortages, global warming, and pandemic disease, among others.
This political science minor offers students a range of courses which address the new direct challenges to national security and intelligence gathering posed by threats such as terrorism, primarily global jihadist terrorism, the rise of China as a future global leader, and the impact of unequal resource distribution on global power relationships, among other topics.
Requirements for the Minor for Majors:
Completion of the minor for majors requires 18 credits (six courses). Two political science courses (6 credits) may be counted both towards the minor as well as towards the political science major. Thus a political science major who also wishes to obtain a minor in national security will need to complete at least 17 courses (51 credits).
Requirements for the Minor for Nonmajors:
Completion of this minor requires 18 credits (six courses).
The following foundation course is required but it is NOT a prerequisite for taking the remaining courses listed below:
50:790:388 The National Security/Homeland Security Establishment
The remaining course requirements may be selected from the list below:
50:790:284 Geography and the World (3)
50:790:296 Practical Politics: Internships in National Security (3)
50:790:311 Government and Politics of Latin America (3)
50:790:316 Government and Politics of the Far East (3)
50:790:320 Problems in Contemporary American Foreign Policy (3)
50:790:322 Problems in Contemporary International Politics (3)
50:790:333 The CIA and American Intelligence (3)
50:790:336 Government and Politics of the Middle East (3)
50:790:350 Violence, Revolution, and Terrorism (3)
50:790:387 International Law and Organization (3)
50:790:395 Formulation of American Foreign Policy (3)
50:790:403 The Constitution and Criminal Law (3)
50:790:420 Seminar on War and Peace (3)
50:790:426 Civil Liberties in Times of Emergencies (3)
50:790:427 Resource Scarcity and National Security (3)
50:790:428 Radical Islam Challenges the West (3)
50:790:429 Anti-Americanism (3)
50:790:430 Contemporary Propaganda (3)
50:790:442 Human Freedoms and the Constitution (3)
50:790:489,490 Special Topics: Studies in Political Science
Certificate in National Security/Homeland Security
Completion of the certificate requires 12 credits (four courses including the required foundation course 50:790:388 The National Security/Homeland Security Establishment). Students must choose from the national security courses listed above. The certificate, offered during Summer and Winterim Sessions, is open to currently enrolled students including graduate students and is also open to nonmatriculated students. Courses, which carry college credits, may be taken individually without enrolling in the entire certificate program.
