Maritime Sec/Great Power Comp

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

The world’s oceans cover over 70% of the planet’s surface area. Global shipping carries at least 80% of the world’s traded goods. Offshore oil and gas account for more than one-third of world energy production. With the maritime domain so important and influential to the world’s history, politics and economy, this course endeavors to examine this essential saltwater perspective. This course will focus on understanding the ocean as source, avenue, and arena: a source of food and energy; an avenue for the flow of goods, people and ideas; and an arena for struggle, competition, warfare. This course will use an interdisciplinary approach—integrating historical, diplomatic, economic, environmental, geographic, and strategic perspectives—to explore the challenges presented by contemporary maritime issues around the world. The seminar will be divided into two parts. Part I will explore the general maritime dynamics and security threats associated with globalization and great power competition. It will study a spectrum of specific threats from maritime piracy and terrorism to climate change and maritime disputes such as the South China Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, it will examine the importance of legal doctrines and dilemmas affiliated with maritime law enforcement and other irregular challenges. Part II will focus on the world’s most important maritime domains and how respective regions or countries are working to address and combat the security threats and dynamics addressed in Part I. This portion of the course examines the actors and security dynamics explored across North and South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and the Mediterranean, and Pacific Asia.