The source of inspiration for some, polarization for others, and relevance for all, the military is possibly the most important institution in the entire world. Today’s military systems play an important role in shaping global politics through war and diplomacy, and even by their mere existence. Starting in the fall of 2012, George Mason University graduate students have an opportunity to explore the complex nature of the military and its role in society through a new concentration in war and the military in society.
The concentration is part of the Interdisciplinary Studies program (MAIS). It is designed for students interested in both the intellectual concepts of the military and the hard facts stemming from the results of their decision-making.
The concentration is co-headed by Christopher Hamner and Meredith Lair. They are both experts in military history and faculty members in the Department of History and Art History.
“These issues related to security, war and peace have significant historical importance,” Hamner said. “They also have a lot of contemporary implications. The decisions that the military makes affect some really critical issues.”
“What we recognize is that students in the D.C. area are looking for different types of skill sets, so we wanted to create something that would be appealing to people from a variety of perspectives,” Lair said. “As Dr. Hamner and I are both military historians, we already have this unique core strength. We really do think Mason has the potential to become a landmark institution in this field.”
Hamner believes the concentration’s most attractive feature is its interdisciplinary focus. Other degree programs in the college focus on narrow aspects of military studies such as history or policy. A lot of students are interested in combining historical studies with practical experience.
“We answer questions related to war, peace, strategy, diplomacy and American society,” he said. “This program is designed to appeal to those students who are interested in the really important cluster of questions having to do with how the U.S. prepares for war, strategizes, fights its battles, creates peace, finances warfare, utilizes technology and maintains its security.”
The 36-credit degree allows students to take courses in anthropology, biodefense, geography and geoinformation science, government, history, public administration, and religion. The master's program is capped by a project or thesis. The affiliated faculty for this program includes professors from many departments in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and in other Mason schools and colleges as well.
Students interested in this concentration have until March 1, 2012 to send in their applications for the fall 2012 semester.
Thumbnail image and first article photograph courtesy of U.S. Army. Second article photograph courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration.