This course takes an in-depth look at the principles, concepts, and elements of United States Sea Power. The course focuses on the historical, present, and future applications of sea power regarding the United States. There will be a particular emphasis on the role played by the US Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine in shaping the polices and culture of the United States.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Influence of Sea Power through the Millennia
- Rise of English Sea Power
- Origins of the United States Maritime Heritage
- Revolutionary War & the Birth of the U.S. Navy
- Influence of Sea Power during the Napoleonic & Quasi-War with France
- War of 1812 at Sea
- Antebellum Navy and Social Reform
- American Civil War
- Development of the Modern Navy
- World War I at Sea
- Disarmament and the Development of Naval Air Power
- World War II, Atlantic and Pacific
- Cold War
- Littoral Naval Warfare
- U.S. Merchant Marine
- 21st Century Navy
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Outline time and chronology in American Naval History.
2. Identify, summarize, and analyze major elements of American Naval History.
3. Analyze cause and effect in American Naval History.
4. Trace elements of change and continuity in American Naval History.
5. Emphasize parallelism by describing the impact of major events, personalities, and places upon American Naval History.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the Significant Milestones in the Historical Evolution of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine, including Prominent Leaders and their Contributions.
2. Explain the Role that U.S. Naval Forces played in Influencing National Strategies and Policies in Peace and War.
3. Trace the Historical Evolution of Sea Power and its Impact on World History.
4. Illustrate the Importance of Power Projection Ashore from Seaborne Forces by Analyzing Examples.
5. Trace the rise of English Sea Power, in particular:
a. England’s Role in Establishing its Autarky and Inviolability as an Island Nation.
b. England’s Role in Exploration and Growth of its Mercantile Empire.
c. The Royal Navy’s Strategic and Technical Contributions in the Wars of Expansion
with France and the two World Wars.
6. Explain the Significant Historical Development of the Technical Evolution of Naval Engineering and Weapon Systems from the Era of Wooden Ships and Sail through the Twenty-First Century.
7. Describe the Major Significance that Sea Power has played in the following conflicts: the Spanish Armada, the Seven Years War, the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and both Gulf Wars.
8. Explain the Influence that Tactics, Weapons, Training, and Logistics had on Deciding the Final Outcome of the Conflicts in the Above Bullet Point.
9. Analyze the Fundamental National Interest that the United States and its Former and Current Antagonists have had on the Employment of Forces that Shape and Achieve Foreign Policy.
10. Describe the Significant Impact the U.S. Navy played during the Cold War.
11. Describe the Significant Impact the U.S. Navy plays during the Global War on Terrorism.
12. Understand the Vital Mission of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Important Role of Logistics as Related to American National Security, including Integration with Fleet Operations and Power Projection Ashore.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of academic achievement will be identified and implemented by the class instructor. Methods will include, but will not be limited to, individual projects, vocabulary, class participation (discussion and critiques), and tests.
Each instructor will select the teaching materials she/he feels are best suited to her/his course.
Outcomes
- Social Sciences
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- Civil Society and Culture - U.S. and Global
- Category 4: Social Sciences
- Category 5: Humanities and Fine Arts