Technology and National Security

The increasing use of information technology for national security has many benefits as well as some risks. Advanced sensors, smart weapons, and stealth aircraft are a few of the advances developed by the United States in recent decades.

This course explores the relationship between national security policy and technology from early history to modern day, focusing specifically on current U.S. national security challenges and the role that technology plays in shaping our understanding and response to these challenges. Course will cover a broad range of topics, including nuclear weapons, energy, and proliferation issues. Guest lecturers include key participants in the development of technology and/or policy.

Please note: The MS&E293 course number will be removed, it will be replaced by the cross listed course number INTLPOL256

Topics Include

• Complex nuclear weapons programs
• Strategic stability
• The evolution of U.S. international security relations
• Emerging technological developments 
• Security challenges including cyber security, drones, the role of social media, biosecurity, counterinsurgency, nuclear terrorism and intelligence gathering