Master of Arts in Military History

The course addresses the development of core research skills for advanced historical study. Through case studies analyses, the evaluation of different types of historical evidence, and the consideration of how valid research questions are formulated and applied, it is designed to refine the critical thinking, research, and writing skills that are fundamental to valid historical scholarship.

This course is the study of historical thought from its emergence in the classical world to the present. Students concentrate on how history has been interpreted, rather the facts of history themselves as well as contemplate the fundamental questions about the nature of history, and investigate the relationships between theory and evidence in historical writing. Emphasis is on the narratives historians have used to reconstruct the past, and the major historiographical schools of thought that have developed over time.

This course examines the military heritage of the United States from the colonial period to the present time. Through an in-depth study of the extensive literature in American military history, students assess the key individuals, military policies, postures, organizations, strategies, campaigns, tactics, and battles that define the American military experience.

This course examines the origin and development of military concepts and ideas by studying the wisdom of the great military thinkers of the past. Among the philosophers are Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, Clausewitz and Jomini, Mahan and Corbett, Douhet and Mitchell, T.E. Lawrence, and the counterinsurgency theorist and practitioner David Galula. Students compare and contrast these great thinkers to gain an understanding of the nature and conduct of war at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

This course is a comparative study to demonstrate the importance of the historical context of any great military event. Context includes all aspects of a society or culture and in this case, 18th century British and colonial American political and constitutional philosophies, social norms and societal structure, economics, religious concepts, and foreign and diplomatic policy. Students examine issues such as divergent historiographical opinions on the degree of American constitutional conservatism versus political and social radicalism, and the nature of the soldiery of the continental Army.

This course is a study of the political, economic, cultural, and social aspects of the Civil War as a seminal event in our nation’s history. Students explore the causes of the war, how a nation coped with the struggle across multiple dimensions, and how we dealt with the conflict's aftermath. Special emphasis is on the continuing debate that the impact of the Civil War had on both the North and the South.

This course is a global history of the Second World War. Emphasis is on the theaters of war and related events in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast and Southwest Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America in relation to their impact on the national and military objectives. In this context, students compare and contrast the economies, industry, society, and culture of the United States, Great Britain, Japan, and Germany as major participants during the war. The role of diplomacy and strategy, the impact of war upon society, and the fighting on land, at sea, and in the air are also examined in terms of modern warfare.

This course is a seminar in global conflict and confrontations since the end of World War II. Students assess specific military conflicts since 1945 to include limited wars by the United States and Soviet Union; counterinsurgencies and wars of national liberation; the Arab-Israeli conflict; post-Cold War conflicts; and conflict post-9/11. Recommended prior to enrolling in MILH 621, The Cold War and Its Aftermath, and MILH 622, Great Power Military Interventions, which cover the Cold War period in greater detail.

This course is an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of leadership common to great military leaders. It focuses on those personalities and decision making skills that are inbred and/or learned by the great leaders. Students compare and contrast the characteristics of great military leaders and choose a specific leader to assess the persona of that individual. Special emphasis is on investigating the biographical literature and what sources reveal about personality and leadership style.

This course, when offered, is a one-time offering on an area of special interest that will vary each term. NOTE: Open to graduate students as an elective. Any substitution as a Concentration or Major course must have Dean Approval through your Student Advisor. SUMMER 2010 TOPIC: WORLD WAR I: THE GREAT WAR-- A MILITARY HISTORY TOPIC DESCRIPTION: The First World War is best known for the bloody stalemate of the trench fighting on the Western Front in France and Belgium, but it was far more than that. It was also a conflict that produced incredible innovation and imagination in almost every aspect connected with the fighting. This course will explore the Great War from a military perspective, examining weapons, tactics and doctrine, science and technology, how all of this was used in battle, and how those battles affected the outcome of the war.

This course is an opportunity for Military History students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of history under the mentorship of a single professor. Students must complete 24 credits of study before taking this course. The course will typically involve a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper, both of which will count toward the final grade. Prerequisite: University approval and Upper Level standing. Prior to registering, students should first contact the professor with whom they wish to mentor their independent study, coordinate an agreement on the grading requirements, and then NOTIFY their Student Advisor with the name of their professor.

This course is a study of the advent of air power and the changes it has wrought on the nature and conduct of war in the modern age. Topics include aviation's role in revolutionizing the battlefield by expanding the scale and scope of conflict from two to three dimensions. Special emphasis is on air power methods and strategy and geopolitical implications of air power's destructive capacity vis-a-vis civilian populations, economies, and collateral damage.

This course is a study of land warfare from ancient times to the 21st century with emphasis on the evolution of land warfare and effects on strategy, doctrine, operations, tactics, and technology within the context of Western European, Mediterranean, and North American states, empires and kingdoms.

This course is an in-depth study of the art of war at sea from Salamis to the naval operations in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and examines the expanding role of sea power in supporting operations in combating terrorism. Students evaluate the development of the classical theories of naval warfare, as reflected by Mahan, in light of today's world conditions, threats, and roles.

This course prepares graduate students for the Comprehensive Examination in the Master of Arts in Military History program. The purpose of this course is to provide a structured weekly review of key concepts, theories, and knowledge skill sets in their degree and particular concentration. Students are required to submit responses to a number of assignments over the 8-week course prior to taking the exam. Students apply historical methodology in preparation for the exam and consult texts, journal articles, print & media reports, and documentaries, as well as collaborate with other students enrolled in the course to help them prepare for the exam. Assignments serve as a means of final preparation for the student and calibration with the course instructor, who will grade the exam. The exam requires an approved proctor and is scheduled prior to the last week of the course. Students may not schedule the exam early and will not receive a grade until the end of the course. The "Comprehensive Final Exam" is tailored specifically to each student’s program. This option requires a minimum of 36 hours of coursework. A minimum of 21 hours must be taken within the concentrations and 6 credits in electives. A non-thesis student receives the MA degree upon successful completion of the required coursework and passing.