The National Security Studies minor is an interdisciplinary minor designed for students who are interested in the historical, political, cultural, ethical, and legal dimensions of national security policy.

The requirements of the minor are eighteen hours including:

(a) Interdisciplinary Studies 275; History 277; Interdisciplinary Studies 465; and Government and Foreign Affairs 442;

(b) two courses chosen from different departments from among: Government and Foreign Affairs 230, 231, 242, 341, 342; History 313; Economics 261, 262; Physics 107; Religion 103; English 194; Interdisciplinary Studies 395 (if dealing with topics in National Security), 495 (if dealing with topics in National Security).

Students electing to pursue this minor develop their course of study in consultation with their major advisor and Director of the Wilson Center for Leadership. Courses not on this list may count towards the minor, subject to the approval of the Director of the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest, approval of the Wilson Center Faculty Advisory Committee, and the Academic Affairs Committee.

Core curriculum courses may be used to satisfy the requirements for this minor.

updated 8/30/22

The aim of this interdisciplinary program is to prepare students to think about military action and national security policy in the context of constitutional principles, inter- and intra-governmental relationships, social and cultural constraints, and competing views of ethical human behavior.

Dr. David E. Marion, Wilson Center