NS3039 Maritime Security Cooperation

This course offers an introduction to the theory and practice of maritime security cooperation. It explores the main features of the maritime domain, the major challenges to maritime security, and the leading U.S. and international efforts to combat those threats by sharing information and coordinating operations. The course is grounded in the study of international relations, which provides analytical tools that help explain why cooperation succeeds or fails and how to design institutions that make success more likely, especially in the context of rising great power competition. U.S. maritime strategy regards maritime security as a key line of effort and cooperation with allies and partners as essential to securing the maritime domain.

Lecture Hours

Lab Hours

Course Learning Outcomes

Students will learn to:

Characterize the legal, political, and strategic features of the maritime domain, including the impact of rising great power competition
Identify and assess major threats to maritime security
Distinguish among military, civilian, and private forces’ roles in maritime security
Become familiar with U.S. and partner approaches to maritime domain awareness
Understand the design of institutions that enable cooperation among allies and partners
Identify obstacles to effective cooperation and make appropriate recommendations to overcome those obstacles in real-world responses to maritime security threats.