Academic Overview Academic Synthesis Essay The purpose of this essay is for you to assess and examine what you have learned in this program. The essay consists of three parts: First, reflect on at least six courses (out of the eleven) that you completed while in the International Security Studies program. Courses taken: 1) POL 521A :Transnational Organized Crime & National Security 2) POL 519: Terrorism and Counterterrorism 3) POL 580A: Mexican National Security 4) POL 520A:
How Terrorism Ends 5) POL 545A: Security in New Democracies 6) POL 511A: The Psychology of Group Conflict and Cooperation (Provide a sound reflection for each of the above noted courses) Second, discuss overall international security themes that your courses covered. Discuss armed conflicts, civil war, terrorism, transnational organized crime, American foreign policy, national security and security in new democracies and how theses factors influence Global Powers (U.S., China, Russia), globalization, Global Economy and Global Technology. In this section, consider the way the above named courses build on each other and how together they bring forward broader themes within the study of international security. Third, consider your own intellectual growth that has resulted from the courses that you have taken. Thinking back, how have your opinions and ideas changed on various security issues? How has this new knowledge attained from your course work given you a better grasp of international affairs? How has your coursework given you a better understanding of the complexity of international security?
