Planning for Chaos: Workshop

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Planning for Chaos: Special Workshop on Strategic Planning and Writing Policy Papers - this special hands-on course that takes place over the course of one week from 9:30 - 5:00 pm during spring break (3/2-3/6/2026) provides students with the unique skill set required to conduct effective strategic planning processes and to write high-quality policy papers. It is designed to enhance students’ attractiveness for prospective employers, or to further enrich the capabilities of those already in official positions. The course consists entirely of simulations in which students represent the different actors in major national security issues (the war in Gaza, Iran and other “hot” current issues will be the focus of the simulations) and are repeatedly challenged to present the policy dilemmas and propose strategic objectives and options to the “National Security Council” (class) for group critique. On this basis, they then write policy papers to the “leaders” of the actors they represent. Highly detailed feedback is provided during the simulations and on the papers.