Welcome to the Homepage for NAVSC 311.
"The real way to get value out of the study of military history is to take particular situations, and as far as possible get inside the skin of the man who made a decision, realize the conditions in which the decision was made, and then see what way you could have improved on it."
-Sir A.P. Wavell: lecture to officers, Aldershot, c. 1930
"War is both timeless and ever changing. While the basic nature of war is constant, the means and methods we use evolve continuously. Changes may be gradual in some cases and drastic in others. Drastic changes are the result of developments that dramatically upset the equilibrium of war…One major catalyst of change is the advancement of technology. As the hardware of war improves through technological development, so must the tactical, operational, and strategic usage adapt to its improved capabilities both to maximize our own capabilities and to counteract our enemy’s… If we are ignorant of the changing face of war, we will find ourselves unequal to its challenges."
-MCDP-1 Warfighting.
Course Description
The Evolution of Warfare course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the development of warfare in the western world. The curriculum focuses on the nature of changes in the evolution of warfare and illustrates the relationship of political, strategic, operational, tactical, and technical levels of war throughout history. This course is offered by the NROTC unit at Penn State University and is taught by Major W. Dickens.
Course Objectives
Comprehend the evolution of the means and methods of warfare, particularly land warfare, including the following areas:
- Know the great captains, military organizations, and military theorists of history.
- Know the relationship between technological progress and military change in rendering obsolete previously successful policies, doctrines, strategies and tactics.
- Comprehend the evolution of the influence of economic, psychological, moral, political and technological factors.
Expectations
- Read all assignments before class. Be prepared for and actively participate in discussions and projects.
- Attend all classes. Arrive on time in the appropriate attire. Absences need to be coordinated with me in advance in order to be considered an excused absence.
- Submit all assignments on time. Late assignments will not be accepted, resulting in a zero, unless previously arranged with the instructor.
- Learn the material and master the course for the sake of being a better person/military officer, not for the grade.
Course Requirements
To successfully complete the course, students must attend each class session, unless approval is given prior to the class session, complete the daily reading assignments, participate in class discussions, and complete all assigned work. Failure to complete all assigned work will result in a failing grade for the course.
A. Reading Assignments: Reading is assigned for each class as indicated in the enclosed schedule. Students are expected to have completed the appropriate readings prior to each class.
B. Graded Events: These consist of two examinations, one written assignment, one oral presentation, any quizzes, and class participation.
(1) Examinations. The examinations will cover all material discussed in class or covered in the assigned readings since the previous examination. Exams will have both an objective (identification, matching, fill-in the blank, true-false) and a subjective (essay) component. The final exam will contain comprehensive questions that will require you to discuss themes or trends that were present throughout the semester.
(2) Writing Assignment. Each student will complete an analytical research paper on a significant aspect of the evolution of warfare. The goal of the paper is to respond to the question: “what can we learn from (your topic)?” No later than 21 Sept, you will sign up for a topic from the list provided in this syllabus. Other topics may be chosen but only with my prior approval. Topic sign up will be first come, first served. An outline of your paper and a tentative bibliography are due on 02 Nov. The completed paper is due on 05 Nov. No excuses will be accepted for missing any of these deadlines.
Assignments will be considered late if not turned in to me at the beginning of the class period on the due date. The grade on any assignment turned in late will be automatically reduced by 10% for each day they are late. The first 10% will be deducted immediately upon the commencement of class on the due date. An additional 10% will be deducted at midnight that night, and every night thereafter, until the paper is turned in. Even if the paper is late, you still must turn it in! Failure to turn in any assignment will result in a failing grade for the course. There will be no exceptions to any of these policies.
Your paper should provide a clear statement of your ideas based on careful analysis of the information available to you. You will be graded on the quality of your writing as well as the quality of your content and ideas. Your paper should be organized in a logical fashion. The introduction should clearly and concisely explain the topic or define the question that you investigate in the body of your paper and its historical significance pertinent to the study of the evolution of warfare. The body of the paper should then systematically address the issues raised in the introduction. Try to make your transitions between paragraphs and lines of reasoning as smooth and logical as possible. The force of your argument should carry the reader through the paper from its beginning to its end. The conclusion should not only summarize the findings but explain their historical significance. Do not seek some transcendental, eternal significance for your paper; it is more than enough to show how the issues were important in the historical period to which they belong.
Your paper must be in accordance with the following format guidelines. The paper must have six to eight pages of text, plus endnotes (not footnotes) and a bibliography. Use standard white 8½x11 paper printed on one side. All margins will be set at one inch. Print font will be Times New Roman 12 point. Each page, excluding the title page, will have a page number centered at the bottom of the page. All text, except endnotes and bibliography, will be double-spaced. Use the Chicago Manual of Style as a reference for formatting your endnotes and bibliography. You must provide a title page with the paper’s title and your name centered on the page. Use a single staple in the upper left corner, do not use a folder, paper clip, or any other means of attaching the papers. You must proofread your paper. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar will count as part of your grade.
You are required to use a minimum of four scholarly sources as references for your paper. Each of them, and any other sources used, must be listed in your bibliography and in your endnotes, as appropriate. Only one of these sources may be an on-line/internet source. The remainder must be scholarly books, monographs, or articles.
(3) Oral Presentation. The class presentation will be an oral presentation of the findings of your research paper. It should be 10 to 15 minutes in length and will be graded on the relevance of the material, manner of delivery, and your knowledge of the material covered. You may and should use visual aids for your presentation. These can range in type from maps, to chalk/white board graphics or outlines, to digital Powerpoint presentations. You must use sufficient visual aids to make your argument clear. Some of you may require more aids than others.
Evaluation / Grading Criteria
| Event | Weight |
|---|---|
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Class Paper | 25% |
| Oral Presentation | 15% |
| Participation/Quizzes | 10% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
Academic Integrity
All students will adhere to the honor concept and the established rules governing academic integrity. All work submitted for a grade must be entirely the effort of the student submitting it! If you are unsure in any way about plagiarism or when to provide citations, it is your responsibility to see me for clarification. The original source of any borrowed language, information, ideas, or concepts must be appropriately cited. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade. If you are ever in doubt, provide a citation!
Extra Instruction
I am available for extra instruction at any time by appointment. I will make every effort to accommodate your schedule. I encourage you to take advantage of extra instruction if you are encountering any difficulties with the class or any assignments. However, extra instruction sessions need to be focused. That means that you should come with specific questions and you must have completed all pertinent assigned reading.
Attendance
The classroom is your appointed place of duty during the period of the class.
I will use email as the first option to disseminate information relative to the course or to contact you on a non-urgent matter. I expect you to check your email daily.
Texts
The primary texts for the course will be those listed below. However, occasional reading may be assigned from other sources.
(1) Dupuy, Trevor N., The Evolution of Weapons and Warfare, HERO Books, Fairfax, VA, 1984.
(2) Jones, Archer, The Art of War in the Western World, University of Illinois Press, Chicago, 2001.
(3) Preston, Richard A. and Sydney F. Wise, Men in Arms, 4th Ed., Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, New York, 1979.