Master of Arts in Military History-Capstone Option

The course addresses the development of core research skills for advanced historical study. Through case studies analyses, the evaluation of different types of historical evidence, and the consideration of how valid research questions are formulated and applied, it is designed to refine the critical thinking, research, and writing skills that are fundamental to valid historical scholarship.

This course is the study of historical thought from its emergence in the classical world to the present. Students concentrate on how history has been interpreted, rather the facts of history themselves as well as contemplate the fundamental questions about the nature of history, and investigate the relationships between theory and evidence in historical writing. Emphasis is on the narratives historians have used to reconstruct the past, and the major historiographical schools of thought that have developed over time.

This course examines the military heritage of the United States from the colonial period to the present time. Through an in-depth study of the extensive literature in American military history, students assess the key individuals, military policies, postures, organizations, strategies, campaigns, tactics, and battles that define the American military experience.

This course examines the origin and development of military concepts and ideas by studying the wisdom of the great military thinkers of the past. Among the philosophers are Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, Clausewitz and Jomini, Mahan and Corbett, Douhet and Mitchell, T.E. Lawrence, and the counterinsurgency theorist and practitioner David Galula. Students compare and contrast these great thinkers to gain an understanding of the nature and conduct of war at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

This course is a comparative study to demonstrate the importance of the historical context of any great military event. Context includes all aspects of a society or culture and in this case, 18th century British and colonial American political and constitutional philosophies, social norms and societal structure, economics, religious concepts, and foreign and diplomatic policy. Students examine issues such as divergent historiographical opinions on the degree of American constitutional conservatism versus political and social radicalism, and the nature of the soldiery of the continental Army.

This course is an examination of the American Revolution with emphasis on the operational contributions of American and British military leadership. Students assess the basic concepts and principles of the war’s strategic and operational levels, the tactical employment of forces, and the element of leadership to the planning and execution of the war by both sides. Special emphasis is on comparing and contrasting American and British peer-level commanders.

This course details the British view of the Revolution and the long hidden perspective of the American Revolution. Topics include British colonial politics, diplomacy, political and military leadership, factors of influence in Great Britain during the Revolution, and post-war views of America.

This course is a focused examination of an early and pivotal campaigns in the American Revolution. Students assess the strategy, tactics and effect of this ultimately unsuccessful campaign on the subsequent course of the Revolution and post-war Anglo-American relations in detail.

The course analyzes historical episodes during this period of the American Revolution. Students chronologically move through antecedents to colonial controversy with Britain, relations between American Southern colonies and Britain, the strategy followed by both sides in the South, armed hostilities between American and British military forces in the Southern theatre, and the aftermath of the American rebellion in the southern colonies.

This course is a comprehensive study of the “first global war” as events unfolded in Europe, North America, the Indian sub-continent, and on the seas during the 18th century. Students discern, as a prelude to the American Revolution, how the practice of warfare among the eighteenth century nations was firmly established among European nations. In the distrust and distaste among the French, British, and Americans, the Seven Years War set a pattern that has remained central to the American way of understanding our colonial history.

This course is a military history of the United States between 1789 and 1815 to include the social, economic, political, diplomatic, and operational aspects of the Quasi War, the Barbary States conflict, and the War of 1812. Topics include battles and campaigns, contemporary strategies and tactics, weapons and technology of the day, and the experiences of soldiers and civilians. Special emphasis is placed upon the land campaigns of the War of 1812.

This course, when offered, is a one-time offering on an area of special interest that will vary each term. NOTE: Open to graduate students as an elective. Any substitution as a Concentration or Major course must have Dean Approval through your academic advisor.

This course is an opportunity for Military History students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of history under the mentorship of a single professor. Students must complete 24 credits of study before taking this course. The course will typically involve a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper, both of which will count toward the final grade. Prerequisite: University approval and Upper Level standing. Prior to registering, students should first contact the professor with whom they wish to mentor their independent study, coordinate an agreement on the grading requirements, and then NOTIFY their academic advisor with the name of their professor.

This course is an opportunity for students to write a research proposal in their field of interest under the mentorship of a single professor who is an expert in the field. Students must contact their Academic Adviser at least thirty (30) days prior to registering for this course and must have completed all degree requirements excluding MILH699 – Master of Arts - Thesis. The Program Director will approve the statement of the topic so that the concept can be implemented into a complete syllabus with readings and activities to warrant academic credit. The selection of the professor depends upon the choice of topic and content area.

Preparation for the Master of Arts in Military History Capstone (Thesis) seminar begins on day one of a student's graduate program of study. The theories, research methods and analytical skills, and substantive knowledge obtained through their master's curriculum provide the basis for the thesis project. Students are required to develop primary and secondary source materials on the research topic and address the writing requirements as described in the syllabus and classroom assignments. The thesis proposal must provide a clear description of a question or problem and a proposed method of answering the question or solving the problem. Guidance on the format of the research seminar proposal and a sample proposal are contained in the APUS Thesis Manual. Students take the research seminar after all other course completions.