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THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON, DC

INTERNATIONAL FELLOWS AMERICAN STUDIES/FIELD STUDIES

AY 2015 - 2016

Dr. John Yaeger

Vice President for Academic Affairs 685-1330 yaegerj@ndu.edu Dr. Brittany Bounds Assistant Professor ISMO Academic Officer 685-4241 brittany.bounds.civ@gc.ndu.edu

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This document contains educational material designed to promote discussion by students in the International Fellows program. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Defense University nor the Department of Defense. The contents of this document are the property of the U.S. Government and are intended for the exclusive use of the faculty and students in the International Fellows Program or the National Defense University (NDU). No further dissemination is authorized without the express consent of the faculty. NDU Policy on Nonattribution: “Presentations by guest speakers, seminar leaders, and panelists, including renowned public officials and scholars, constitute an important part of University curricula. So that these guests, as well as faculty and other university officials, may speak candidly, the university offers its assurance that their presentations at the colleges, or before other NDU-sponsored audiences, will be held in strict confidence. This assurance derives from a policy of nonattribution that is morally binding on all who attend: without the express permission of the speaker, nothing he or she says will be attributed to that speaker directly or indirectly in the presence of anyone who was not authorized to attend the lecture.”

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COURSE OVERVIEW The International Fellows (IF) American Studies Course supports and supplements the IF Field Studies Program. Themes in the readings and discussed in seminars and in the writing requirement provide focus and theoretical foundations for the field study practicums. Areas of focus include: American Identity, U.S. History and Foreign Policy, Civil Rights and Diversity, American Culture, Religion in America, the Environment, and Media and Free Press. COURSE OBJECTIVES The American Studies Course objectives are pulled directly from these foundational directives, 1) Department of Defense Directive 5410.17 on the United States Field Studies Program (FSP) created specifically for instruction at NDU, 2) Joint Securities Cooperation and Training AR 12-15 3) The Officer Professional Military Education Policy (OPMEP) and 4) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Desired Leader Attributes for Joint Force 2020. The OPMEP outlines Learning Areas and Objectives for students at NDU, including the following taken from Learning Area 1: National Security Strategy1:

Evaluate how enduring philosophical, historical, and contemporary American principles contribute to U.S. strategic thinking.

Department of Defense Directive 5410.17 and AR 12-15 outline the objectives that underlie the Field Studies Program at NDU2:

Promote an understanding of U.S. society, institutions, and ideals in a way in which these elements reflect U.S. commitment to basic principles of internationally recognized human rights:

Human Rights Law of War International Peace and Security U.S. Government Institutions Political Processes The Judicial System The Free Market System Media Education Health and Human Services Diversity and American Life

CJCS Desired Leader Attributes for Joint Force 20203: “Understand the environment and the effect of all instruments of national power.”

1 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction: Officer Professional Military Education Policy

(OPMEP), E-G-1, 3.b. 2 DOD Directive 5410.17, 3-4.

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Academic Credit for American Studies As an International Fellow (IF), enrolling in American Studies fulfills all NDU elective credit requirements. The American Studies course starts in the summer, continues in the fall, and concludes in the spring semester. Course objectives are met both in the classroom and through Field Study practicums. Fellows are required to participate in each mandatory trip and 8 total field studies throughout the year (see Field Studies Schedule). In addition to written requirements, students will be expected to participate in all field study pre-briefs, visits, and closing academic sessions. Each student will have at least one opportunity to give an oral presentation on the group memo during a closing academic session on a field study. Learning Objectives

Students will use Human Rights in the United States as a framework for understanding the other learning objectives, particularly through education and health and human services.

Students will analyze the varying systems of education in the United States and their historical context.

Students will identify the main areas of United States Governance, to include the three branches of U.S government, the judicial system, and political processes. This concept will extend to the international system of law of war and international peace and security.

Students will investigate the American way of diversity and culture by exploring the role of religion, free market, and popular culture in the country and the effect they have on the American identity.

Students will analyze the efficacy and role of Media and the Free Press in the United States.

Writing Requirement Students will be required to reflect on their field studies experiences through a series of writing requirements that will be elaborated upon in a handout.

Two personal reflection papers in the summer based on the field studies (pass/fail).

One personal reflection paper in the spring based on the field studies (pass/fail).

One group memo submitted at the conclusion of each field studies trip addressing the question prompt and corresponding to the closing academic session. Each fellow will be responsible as leader of one paper, but the group will receive a grade as a whole for the semester (pass/fail).

3 Memorandum from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding Desired Leader Attributes for

Joint Force 2020, dated 28 June 2013

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One personal reflection culminating paper, 3-5 pages (double-spaced), in the fall semester based on one of the provided prompts.

One culminating paper, 5-7 pages (double-spaced), in the spring semester based on one of the provided prompts.

Note on NDU ISRP Requirement: Discussions with the National War College and the Eisenhower School are ongoing and college deans will determine the ISRP requirements for this academic year. Reading and Contribution Students are expected to complete the readings and contribute to seminar and field studies discussions. Contribution to seminar and field studies discussions is 50% of the grade. The readings assigned are listed under the day when they will be discussed. Excerpts from articles and other texts will be provided throughout the course through Blackboard. Plagiarism Plagiarizing, defined as the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own, is a serious offense. This may be in the form of copying and pasting from the internet, using someone else’s quote without the appropriate citation, or copying someone else’s paper or idea. Just like you would be very upset if someone quoted you without giving you credit, using someone else’s words without citing them is wrong. Most times, plagiarizing is very obvious, for your written voice changes – almost like taking on an accent. As is consistent with your college, the American Studies course also forbids plagiarism in all its forms. Students caught plagiarizing will be subject to NDU official punishment measures in according to NDU academic policies. Fall Grade Breakdown Summer reflection paper #1 5% Summer reflection paper #2 5% Fall culmination paper 25% Group field studies presentations and paper 15% Class participation 50%

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American Studies Course Schedule All classes will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:30 – 3:20 p.m. unless otherwise noted. The classes will be broken out based on the Field Studies Academic Sessions groups. In the event of a conflict with an auditing elective and only a Wednesday class is scheduled due to a visiting lecturer, the American Studies class takes priority. See the group breakout sheet for more information.

Tuesday: Groups 1-4

Wednesday: Groups 5-8

Sept 22 American History I Dr. John Yaeger, NDU Provost

Sept 29 No class due to Boston Field Study Oct 6/7 American History II

Dr. John Yaeger, NDU Provost

Oct 13 Popular Culture Mr. Paul Lambert, Adjunct Professor

Oct 20 Religion in America I: Introduction & Historical Origins Mr. Paul Lambert, Adjunct Professor Oct 27 Academic Session for Memphis Oct 28* Religion in America II: Pluralism and Secular Governance Dr. Spencer Fluhman, visiting lecturer *Note Wednesday class Nov 3 Voting & Political Parties, Suffrage, Voter ID & Campaign Finance Dr. Greg Foster, Professor at Eisenhower School Nov 10/11 Race in America: Slavery, Constitutional Convention, Civil War,

Reconstruction, Supreme Court & Civil Rights Movement Dr. Brittany Bounds, American Studies Professor Nov 17 14th Amendment: Equal Protection, Race, Gender, National Origin, &

Religion Dr. Lorry Fenner, visiting lecturer Nov 24 Frontier Theory & Individualism Dr. Benjamin Cooling, Professor at Eisenhower School Dec 1/2 Federalism & States Rights: Constitutional Convention to Today Dr. Harry Dorsey, Adjunct Professor

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Dec 8 The Role of Free Press in American Society Mr. Mark Philips, NDU Director of Strategic Communication

Course wrap-up / Paper due Dr. Brittany Bounds

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September 22 & October 6/7, 2015 American History and Identity Lecturer: Dr. John Yaeger Purpose: The purpose of the history lessons is to provide historical context that helps the students understand how the country has developed since its founding, understand the major historical events that have largely shaped the country, and to prepare them for success at the colleges (e.g. understanding what a reference to Watergate or the Civil War really means). Lesson Objectives

To understand the historical underpinnings of American identity

To see how the American identity has changed throughout history

To understand the issues that shape American Domestic and Foreign Policy

To understand how U.S. Domestic and Foreign Policy are influence American Identity

Issues for Consideration

How have historical events shaped American identity?

Has the American identity changed throughout American history?

How have domestic events shaped American Foreign Policy?

Has the American identity influence American Foreign Policy?

Is Domestic and Foreign Policy a reflection of American Identity? Readings:

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October 13, 2015 Popular Culture in American Life Lecturer: Paul Lambert Purpose: The lecture on popular culture is meant to help the students understand the role of popular culture in American society, both past and present. Lesson Objectives

Develop shared understanding of the basis and terminology of the study of popular culture.

Assess American identity based on some of its popular culture.

Assess the role and use of popular culture in American life. Issues for Consideration

What is culture?

What is popular culture?

What makes popular culture popular?

How does an understanding of popular culture help in understanding the larger culture (identity, values, societal anxieties, opinions, etc.?)

How does American popular culture project an image of the United States to its own people? To the rest of the world?

Readings:

Pew Forum for religious freedom: http://www.pewforum.org/

Library of Congress online exhibition: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/

Soul of the Nation by Wilfred McClay: http://www.nationalaffairs.com/public_interest/detail/the-soul-of-a-nation

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October 20, 2015 Religion in America #1: Introduction of Religion in America Section Lecturer: Paul Lambert and Showing of episode 1 “The New Adam” from PBS documentary, God in America Purpose: The Religion in America Section of the American Studies elective course is designed to help participating students better understand the role of religion in America’s founding and identity, its role in the United States’ international relationships and outreach, and concepts and practices in the US government to address religion today. Lesson Objectives

Introduce Religion in America Section

Discuss religion in early American history

Explore the role religion has played in American history, especially the revolution, government, and the ideals and values of American people.

Issues for Consideration

What are some of the religious roots in the “New World?”

How were religious liberty and religious authority important among settlers from Europe to North America?

Who were the Puritans?

What makes individual experience so important in American religious life? Readings:

Soul of a Nation by Wilfred McClay Religion and the Founding of American Republic: You do not need to read

everything on this website, but please review it and look specifically at sections III through VII. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/

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October 28, 2015 Religion in America #2: Role of religion and religious trends throughout American History Lecturer: Dr. Spencer Fluhman (Brigham Young University). (note: We have tried several different people to teach this course. Spencer has been the best by far. He is a leading expert in American religious history up through today. He also has designed his presentation to fit the needs of our unique students. He is always a homerun for the students.) Purpose: The Religion in America Section of the American Studies elective course is designed to help participating students better understand the role of religion in America’s founding and identity, its role in the United States’ international relationships and outreach, and concepts and practices in the US government to address religion today. Lesson Objectives

Explore the role of religion throughout American history

Learn about the largest religious influencers in American history

Explore the tensions and challenges between government, culture, freedom, and religion in American history

Learn about religious demographics and role of religion in contemporary America

Issues for Consideration

How is religious liberty as woven into the earliest exploration and migration from Europe to North America

What is behind the world view expressed in the Declaration of Independence about "being endowed by their Creator?"

How are free exercise and non-establishment expressed in the US Constitution?

Religious diversity (contemporary) and religious tolerance (enduring principle)

Religious identity from immigrant movements and "transnational" religious identity

Readings:

The statistical overview of US religious demographics, practices, beliefs, and maps: http://religions.pewforum.org/

Religion and the Founding of American Republic: You do not need to read everything on this website, but please review it and look specifically at sections III through VII http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/)

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November 10, 2015 Race in America Lecturer: Dr. Brittany Bounds Purpose:

Understand the role of racial diversity and division within the United States and its effect on today’s society. Students will be given an overview of slavery, Constitutional Convention, Civil War, Reconstruction, Supreme Court, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Lesson Objectives

Assess the role of slavery, segregation, and civil rights and integration defining U.S. culture and policies.

Issues for Consideration

How well does/did the United States live up to its creed: All men are created equal?

How have the effects of slavery been in American history?

What are the effects of discrimination, deprivation of civil rights?

What effects do remedies for discrimination (legal decisions, social movements, affirmative action, bilingual education) have on a society?

What are the merits and deficits of a “color blind” society?

What are the effects of affirmative action? Readings

TBD: will be assigned through Blackboard

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December 8, 2015 Media and Free Press / Role of Press in the United States Lecturer: Mr. Mark Phillips Purpose

Understand the role of media and the free press in the United States

Lesson Objectives

Understand the concepts of freedom of the press and free speech

Understand the basics of the history of media and the free press in the United States

Discuss the effects media and free press has had on society, government, and policy

Issues for Consideration

Why is the press protected in the Constitution (First Amendment)? What was the intent of the framers in reference to freedom of the press?

What is a free press?

What is the role of media and the free press in the United States? What do you think the role should be?

How has the advent of 24-hour network news affected the free press?

What is the difference between freedom of the press and freedom of speech? Readings

TBD: will be assigned through Blackboard

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Course Wrap-up Lecturer: Dr. Brittany Bounds Purpose: Review course topics and share lessons learned and major take-aways from the semester. Lesson Objectives

Review course topics and focus

Identify major take-aways

Identify changes in perspective from beginning of course to now

Issues for Consideration

What are the descriptive words you used to describe the United States in the first class? What are they now?

What has changed in your perspective and opinion? Why?

What is different from what you expected or didn’t know? What has been confirmed? What has caused you to think that?

What are your major take-aways from this study of America?

Has an increased understanding of the United States changed your perspective of your own country? How?

Readings:

Review / remember what your first impression of the U.S. was in comparison to your concept of it today.

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