Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis Curriculum
The SSDA curriculum is provided in four areas of instruction. The first area is designed to ensure that students complete general education courses required for a degree at Norwich University. The second area, program courses, is designed to address specific learning needs of the SOF and related communities. The third area is field studies, in which students put their knowledge into practice by exploring a specific region’s economic, geographic and cultural systems and making recommendations to help effect change within that region. The program culminates with a Capstone Project that is supervised by a faculty member. The Capstone project is intended to contribute to the military’s body of knowledge of regions around the globe including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
Pre-SSDA Program Education and Training
Students accepted into the SSDA program may have earned a minimum of 60 semester credits from college courses, military training, or other educational experiences such as CLEP tests. A maximum of 84 semester credits may be transferred into the SSDA program. General education courses listed below are required unless applicants transfer in approved coursework or training from other institutions. Courses with an asterisk are under development and will be reviewed by the University Curriculum Committee.
General Education Courses
| course |
semester credits |
| SSDA 306 Science & Technology of Visual Augmentation Defense Systems* |
3 |
| SSEN 270 Military Literature |
3 |
| SSES 301 Environmental Science* |
3 |
| SSHI 310 Historical Studies |
3 |
| SSMA 232 Elementary Statistics |
3 |
| SSRE 300 Comparative Religion |
3 |
Program Courses (students complete 18 credits of the following)
| course |
semester credits |
| SSDA 310 Emergency and Disaster Relief Operations |
6 |
| SSDA 315 Insurgency and Conflict |
6 |
| SSDA 320 Information Operations |
6 |
| SSEC 310 Socio-economic Studies |
3 |
| SSPO 302 National Security Policy |
3 |
| SSPO 306 Comparative Politics |
3 |
| SSPO 318 International Terrorism |
3 |
| SSSO 330 Military Sociology |
3 |
| SSSO 335 Introduction to Cultural Competence |
3 |
Field Studies (students complete 18 credits of the following)
| course |
semester credits |
| SSEC 401 Economic Studies |
6 |
| SSSO 401 Cultural & Anthropological Studies |
6 |
| SSSO 406 Area Studies |
6 |
| GD 511 History of Diplomacy in the International System |
6+ |
| BC 510 Foundations of Business Continuity Management |
6+ |
Capstone
| course |
semester credits |
| SSDA 400 Capstone Project* |
6 |
| SSDA 490 Selected Topics |
1–6 |
| Total Credits |
60 |
+Students may be admitted to the Master of Arts in Diplomacy Program under an early admissions program and may take SSGD 511 in lieu of one Field Study. Students may be admitted to the Master in Business Continuity program under an early admissions program and may take BC 510 in lieu of one Field Study. Students who choose either of these options must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher to qualify.
Sample Curriculum Map
The following degree completion plan assumes that a SSDA student must take all SSDA coursework to complete the degree and enrolls in four 3-credit courses per semester before the field study portion of the program. Students can have up to five additional courses waived if previous college coursework is deemed an equivalent to specific SSDA courses. Bear in mind, the following plan is just a sample of what courses can be taken during a particular term of study. Your plan may vary.
Spring 2012
| course code |
title |
| SSHI 310 |
Historical Studies |
| SSRE 300 |
Comparative Religions |
| SSPO 302 |
National Security Policy |
| SSSO 301 |
Introduction to Cross Cultural Competence |
Summer 2012
| course code |
title |
| SSES 301 |
Environmental Science |
| SSEN 270 |
Military Literature |
| SSPO 318 |
International Terrorism |
| SSEC 305 |
Socio-Economic Studies |
Fall 2012
| course code |
title |
| SSMA 232 |
Elementary Statistics |
| SSDA 306 |
Science and Technology of Visual Augmentation Defense Systems |
| SSSO 330 |
Military Sociology |
| SSPO 306 |
Comparative Politics |
Spring 2013
| course code |
title |
| SSEC 401 |
Economic Studies (Field Study) |
| SSSO 401 |
Cultural and Anthropological Studies (Field Study) |
Summer 2013
| course code |
title |
| SSSO 406 |
Area Studies (Field Study) |
| SSDA 401 |
Capstone Project |
Program Outcomes
- Identify, describe and explain the geographic features of the selected region of study
- Demonstrate understanding of the history of the region of study and its impact on current events
- Identify various cultures of the region, explain similarities and differences among them and apply this knowledge to develop problem solving strategies within a range of contexts
- Identify political players in the region, analyze their positions on various issues, and apply this knowledge to develop effective collaborative relationships and/or intervention strategies
- Understand the economics of the region, analyze a range of economic factors, and formulate recommendations for economic activities
- Appraise and articulate the role of the United States and the US Armed Forces within the region of study
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to cultural competence
