PSC 408G - The Military and Politics

(3 units) CO11, CO13

This course is an overview of the major themes and issues in the military and politics, including the military as an institution, military law, the military’s relationship with the state it is in, and military-civilian relations. The emphasis is on the military as an institution in political systems, how it is governed internally and by civilians, who serves or has to serve, the military-industrial complex and the outsourcing and privatization of military functions, among other topics.

Maximum units a student may earn: 3

Prerequisites: PSC 211; General Education courses (CO1-CO3) completed; at least 3 courses from CO4-CO8 completed; Junior or Senior standing.

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 3
Offered: Every Fall - Odd Years

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. examine core issues of civil-military relations, particularly pertaining to why the military obeys civilians, and the conditions under which it does not.
2. define what a military coup is, and categorize the conditions under which it is likely to occur.
3. identify military law and differentiate its key features from civilian law.
4. enumerate and examine the reasons why politicians and others sometimes politicize the military.
5. describe key features of being a service member.
6. analyze how and why the military as an institution emphasizes group loyalty and sacrifice, not individuality and individual freedoms.
7. explicate the privatization of military functions and the consequences of the state ceding defense to private contractors, assessing specific cases to illustrate issues.

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