Nat Sec Crisis Decision Making

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This course will introduce you to the theory and current practice of managing crises in the National Security arena. After a brief orientation on the primary structures, actors, and theories influencing National Security now, the course will examine in detail how a National leadership team operates and strives to respond to and manage a significant crisis event. A theoretical construct will then be proposed and tested during the rest of the course. Using case studies of recent representative crises, students will assess how the primary National Security actors responded, whether the theoretical construct is applicable, and what, if any, lessons were learned. Along the way, students will also survey the record of predicting crises, and conclude with an adapted theoretical framework that can be used when observing or potentially participating in managing a crisis.