Provides basic learning related to (1) the Arabic language; and (2) cultural norms for common situations, with variations for people, region, and sub-regions of the Arab and Islamic Worlds. Topics for Arabic language include pronunciation, courtesy expressions, gestures, names, reading the alphabet and numbers, and regional dialect variations. Topics for cultural behavior include etiquette, do's and don'ts, friendships, hospitality, reciprocity and emotions, humiliation, honor, loyalty, personal image, body language, dealing with women, the role of the family, the sanctity of the household, and Muslim approaches to animals, particularly dogs within the household. Also discussed in the course are Arab values, identity, future trends, and Arab perceptions of Americans and American policy and strategy. An important component will be the role of Islam in personal interactions, with reference to extremist and mainstream Islam, the Qur’an, Jihad, views of Israel, and interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims. This elective meets for two days each semester, Tues and Wed at 1535 and counts for 2 full electives or 4 credit hours.

Provides an intensive review of the major issues facing Sub-Saharan Africa and examines the basis and focus of US policy toward that region. The course covers history, culture, the evolution of US policy toward Africa, and economic, political and security trends and issues. It examines the roles of US diplomacy, foreign aid, and security assistance. Readings, guest speakers, seminar discussion, and a field trip to a local museum are the main methods of instruction. Perspectives of both US and African analysts and policy makers will be explored. Designed to provide a basis for assessing US interests in Africa and developing a future policy framework for the region to 2015, the course will prepare students who will be going on field studies to the region.

This elective course surveys the cultural, political, social, economic and military situations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh with a focus on United States national interests in the region. The United States appears to pay serious attention to the region only in times of crises—as evidenced by past wars, India’s and Pakistan’s nuclear tests in May 1998, and the Tsunami in 2004. Until recently its policies in the region have focused on single narrowly-defined issues such as the proliferation or terrorism and its regional responses clouded by cold-war perceptions. Seminar participants will explore broader emerging opportunities and risks in the region. Among other topics, it will look at the dynamics of demographic change, the impact of the green revolution, rapid industrialization and urbanization, the role of foreign trade and investments, and the internal insurgencies and terrorism and their implication for internal political stability and change. The course will emphasize the motivations and perceptions of the leaderships and elite in these countries and the recent shifts in US interests and policies in the region, especially in Pakistan and India. A short paper is required to be written co-jointly with 6500.

Southeast Asia, comprising ten nations (plus Australia and New Zealand) was a focal point of American policy during the Cold War -- graphically manifested in the Vietnam War (1963-75). In the decades since, the region has been largely ignored by U.S. security planners, especially following the 1991 closure of bases in the Philippines, despite its growing economic importance to the United States. But since 9/11 there has been a dawning recognition that Southeast Asia poses important issues for U.S. security including the presence of active Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist networks and the rise of neighboring China as an Asian great power and aspirant global superpower. The elective will examine key aspects of the region (political, economic and societal) and will relate those factors to U.S. security interests. The course will seek to prepare students for Field Studies trips to Indonesia/Singapore and Thailand/Cambodia. There is approximately 80-100 pages of reading a week and one 6-8 page paper.

This course examines historical and current efforts to plan joint civilian and military operations in different intervention scenarios including counter-insurgency missions, peace keeping and post-conflict stability and reconstruction missions. The focus will be on learning lessons from past and current operations to improve civil-military coordination and burden- sharing at all levels, and working effectively with host country actors, international contributors and multilateral organizations. We will review existing military and civilian campaign planning doctrine and use a variety of case studies including: post-WW II stabilization and reconstruction in Germany and Japan, the Vietnam CORDs program, Afghanistan and Iraq. The emphasis will be on crafting coordinated political, economic, military, security and public campaign plans for complex, multinational operations, drawing the best lessons from past experience. We will also look at complicating issues like command and control between civilians and military, overcoming cultural differences among agencies and nations and managing the civil-military resource and training disparity. Students will develop their own civil-military campaign planning model during the course, then use it in a final class "war game" exercise simulating a potential future operation (either a Cuba or an Iran scenario, tbd). This course is highly recommended for military and civilian students who anticipate serving in civil-military environments at home or in the field, and/or those with past experience in complex civil-military operations to share and build upon. This course is NOT recommended for students looking for a traditional military campaign planning course.