Found of Grand Strategy

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The School of Foreign Service now offers a one-semester course called Foundations of Grand Strategy, IPOL-410, taught by professors Charles Kupchan and JohnMcNeill. The class will combine three main approaches to the study of grand strategy. First, it will engage in close reading of classic texts by authors from different political and cultural contexts, such as Sun Tzu, Kautilya, Machiavelli, and Clausewitz. Second, it will examine historical case studies from ancient to modern times, chiefly great powers such as the Roman Empire, Mongol Empire, Soviet Union, and the United States. Third, it will consider strategic issues of the contemporary world, including those involving the U.S., China, and perhaps some non-state actors. The class aims to help students to think strategically about international history and global politics.