Master of Arts in International Security Studies (MAISS)
The MAISS is structured around Core, Elective and Research components.
Core Courses (9 credit hours). Include topics such as National Security Strategy, Geostrategy, Foreign Policy, Interagency Coordination, Leadership, Civil Military Relations, Foreign Policy, International law, Strategic Communications, Media, Ethics and National Security.
ISS 500: Security in Global Context
ISS 510: The Role of Force in International Relations
ISS 520: “Soft Power” and International Security
Elective Courses (18 credit hours). Electives could be selected from among any ISS courses in the catalogue, and also approved cross-listed courses in the SPS catalogue. Electives may also be taken from other schools in the Washington Consortium with prior permission, or accepted as transfer credit.
ISS 530: International Law and Global Security
ISS 540: Jihadist Global Strategies
ISS 550: Democratization and US National Security
ISS 600: Terrorism and Guerilla Warfare
ISS 610: Contemporary Counter Terrorism
ISS 620: The Global War on Terrorism
ISS 640: Strategic Intelligence and US Security: Policy, Capabilities, Ethics and the Law
ISS 650: Intelligence Assessment in Historical Perspective
ISS 660: Intelligence and International Terrorism
Research (9 credit hours). The research component includes ISS 680: Research Methods, for 3 credit hours; and ISS 690: Master’s Thesis Directed Research, a thesis under directed study for 6 credit hours. The thesis may optionally be substituted by additional elective coursework requiring substantial analytical written products.
Graduate Course Descriptions:
• ISS 500: Security in Global Context
Security in Global Context examines the theory and practice of international security. The course is divided into four parts: Part one is an overview of international security, theories of geostrategy, hegemony, and the global leadership role of the United States. Part two examines the elements of national power (military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, inter alia) and their application in support of national strategic goals. Part three is a review of global trends (social, demographic, ethnographic, economic, etc.) with respect to their impact on U.S. strategy. Part four is a regional review of current security issues in the framework of the unified geographical command structure. By taking this course, students will better understand the manner in which national interests are defined, strategic goals determined, and the manner in which they are achieved.
• ISS 510: The Role of Force in International Relations
The Role of Force in International Relations focuses on the application of the military instrument of power in world politics. This course begins with an overview of the traditional role of force in deterring conflict, defending interests and compelling outcomes. Students will then examine competing views of both the morality and utility of force in contemporary international relations. Case studies will focus on both historical and contemporary conflicts, and in particular examine the strategic context of post-9/11 uses of force.
• ISS 520: “Soft Power” and International Security
“Soft Power” is means of persuading international actors short of the use of force or other strong means of coercion. The course will examine the tools other than force at the disposal of decision makers in pursuing strategy, such as diplomacy, finance, trade, and information. The course will also examine the impact of markets, globalization, cultural shifts, immigration, language, culture, values and other factors outside the purview of government that shape the global security environment.
• ISS 530: International Law and Global Security
“International Law and Global Security” is a course designed to introduce students to the core principles and defining features of the international legal system, and to the changing role of international law in contemporary national and global security. Emphasis will be placed on the applicability of international law to armed conflict, counterterrorism, and containing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
• ISS 540: Jihadist Global Strategies
This course is an in depth analysis of the geopolitics of the Global War on Terror with a particular focus on the surge, expansion and evolution of Salafi-Jihadi and Khomeinist-Jihadi movements. The course will mostly examine the global strategies of these radical movements regarding the United States, the West and other regions of the world. Students will be introduced to the evolution of these strategic options during and after the Cold War, before and after September 11, 2001. The analysis offered by this course will cover the development of these strategies currently and analyze future options.
• ISS 550: Democratization and US National Security
There is widespread agreement among scholars that political democracy is an end in itself. As a system, democracy promotes individual freedom and enhances economic well-being. Through an open political system, democracy affords stability. Building democratic culture and institutions is important because the long-term rewards of increased stability, prosperity, and enrichment of the human spirit make it worth the effort. Outside of idealistic reasons for democracy, democracy is desirable for the peace it brings. For the last 200 years, it is very rare that two democratic states militarily confront each other. This course examines the theoretical foundation of democracy and the manner in which the U.S. promotes democracy abroad. The course is divided into three parts. First, we will examine the potential for state failure and discuss ways in which democracy can alleviate ethnic conflict. Next, we will examine the basic components of democracy. Finally, we will examine the role democracy promotion plays in U.S. foreign policy and see the role that it plays in American identity. We will use these concepts to examine strategies of nation building through discussion of Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia-Herzegovina, East Timor, and Afghanistan.
• ISS 600: Terrorism and Guerilla Warfare
Examines low intensity conflict in the context of means, motives and opportunities, and the context in which individuals, organizations, and countries are placed. Students examine the origins and formation of violent groups, their internal dynamics and propensities. The course will rely on case studies and primary documents, as well as works by classic and contemporary theorists of terrorism and guerilla warfare.
• ISS 610: Contemporary Counter Terrorism
An assessment of counter terrorism at the national and international levels. Particular attention will be paid to describing changes that have taken place since the 9/11 attacks, and assessing their effectiveness. Students will engage in team exercises, and devise national counter terrorism strategies.
• ISS 620: The Global War on Terrorism
"The Global War on Terrorism" examines the ongoing challenge to US national security posed by the threat of international terrorism. The course will examine the causes of the rise of the global terrorist threat, the motives and methods of the terrorists, and the ways in which the United States ad its Coalition partners are waging war to prevent future terror attacks and safeguard their respective homelands. Readings include primary source documents related to the continuing conflict, as well as classics in terrorism literature.
• ISS 640: Strategic Intelligence and US Security: Policy, Capabilities, Ethics and the Law
The course in “Strategic Intelligence” looks at intelligence as an instrument for the execution of policy. It examines the tools available, their interaction with policymaking and execution, and the legal/ethical framework of their use.
• ISS 650: Intelligence Assessment in Historical Perspective
This course examine the track record of intelligence as a tool for formulating and executing national strategy, specifically in assessing capabilities, motives and objectives in the international realm. Case studies
• ISS 660: Intelligence and International Terrorism
This course will examine the role intelligence and law enforcement play in combating international terrorism. Particular attention will be given to assessing the threat potential of terrorist groups, disrupting networks, interdicting financial and personnel flows, and other aspects of combating global terror networks.
Research – 9 credit hours
This course will cover the fundamentals of research and writing at the graduate level. The course will cover research design, strategies for data collection, hypothesis testing, the form of reasoned argument, the problem of fallacies, and the process of producing a written thesis.
• ISS 690: Master’s Thesis Directed Research
Students will produce a Master’s thesis under guidance of and in close consultation with a faculty advisor and two other readers. The thesis is expected to demonstrate research and analysis amounting to two semester’s work, and worthy of granting six credits. In some circumstances students may divide this project into two 3-credit theses, connected to but not duplicating their work in other courses.