American Military History and the Evolution of Western Warfare

Lieutenant Colonel Martin E. Stokes, U.S. Army
TUE and THU from 0800-0940 AM (BUCHANAN 1920)

Course Description.   This course provides a historical perspective to decisions made by American military leaders in both war and peace.   Whatever challenges encountered by U.S. military leaders – battlefield complexity, resource limitations, teamwork deficiencies – whatever comes their way, requires an informed decision to include transforming a military force to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s fight.  In this course, we will cover major military engagements, military organizational transformations, tactics, doctrine, and political/economic constraints from the colonial period through operations in Somalia and Bosnia.  We will examine how military leaders devised battle strategies, implemented rules of engagement, employed technologies, and managed supplies, transportation, and logistics for their troops. 

Course Objectives.  The course was developed to fulfill a requirement for Army ROTC Cadets to take a US military history class so as to learn their profession of arms.  It was opened to the general student population in order to provide additional elective options.  Its objective is to employ American military history as a tool for studying military professionalism and for applying critical-thinking skills to military problems.  This course is approved to satisfy the following UCSB GE requirements:  American History and Institutions; Area D – Social Sciences and WRT-Writing. 

Course Learning Objectives.  The course learning objectives are: Analyze the major wars fought by the US Army using the principles of war; Examine the evolution of war and the progression of military professionalism; Describe the military’s role in society; Discuss the role of the US Army in humanitarian operations and nation-building at home and abroad; Analyze lessons learned from military history.

Prerequisites.  None.

Class Attendance & Courtesy.    Attendance will not be taken for this class.  I encourage you to attend all the lectures as exam questions will come not only from the readings, but from class lecture as well.  Arrive on time for class.  Cell phones will be turned off and no text messaging during lecture. 

Evaluation Criteria. I will grade the course requirements listed below and calculate your final grade by weighting the individual requirements as shown:

Paper                                                                           30%
Mid-Term                                                                    35%
Final Exam                                                                   35%

Paper: (due NLT the beginning of the 21 February class.) Students will write one 7-10 page paper (12pt Times New Roman Font, double-spaced, 1.25 inch margins, no less than 1800 words), correct grammar, factually accurate, consistent argument with logical progression, minimum five outside sources (no more than three internet sources) written on one technological advancement produced from 1700-2006 that changed the face of warfare (e.g. changed tactics, policy, etc.).  Examples include – Musket, Water Cooled Machine Gun, Breeched Rifle, Atomic Bomb, the V2 Rocket, the field telephone, the Tank, etc.  I will not accept papers submitted by email; it must be turned in during class.

Mid-Term Exam – 40 multiple choice, fill-in the blank, true or false question exam covering key terms, tactics, warfare patterns, military technologies, key military figures and events, and strategy for the first half of the quarter.  Students must bring a SCANTRON and a number 2 pencil to this session.

Final Exam – 40 multiple choice, fill-in the blank, true or false exam covering key terms, tactics, warfare patterns, military technologies, key military figures and events, and strategy for the second half of the quarter.  Students must bring a SCANTRON and a number 2 pencil to this session.

I will use the following grading scale for this course:

Paper and Exam Policy.

Academic Honesty:  If caught cheating or plagiarizing, a student will receive an “F” for the exam/paper and an “F” from the course.   If cheating occurs, the matter will be referred through the UCSB petition process. 

Missed/Rescheduled Exams:  The exam and paper due dates are indicated on the attached sheet.  If you miss the date, you are subjected to receive an “F” for that task unless you coordinate with me ahead of time and the excuse is legitimate.  Again, if this class does not fit into your schedule, then you should find another class.  Exam dates are seldom rescheduled.  Vacations, trips, family visits, ect. are not grounds for taking an alternate exam on another date.  Students who miss exams will receive make-up exams only if they have a valid and documented excuse.  For example, if you missed an exam because of the flu, then bring me a copy of the doctor’s report.  The report must have contact information that allows me to verify it. 

Special Test Taking Accommodations:  To receive special accommodations you must provide me with a written request and supporting documentation for the Disabled Students Program (DSP).  University guidelines state that you must provide instructors with a “reasonable” amount of time to make special accommodations.  This is a written notification that I am defining “reasonable” as the third week of class during the regular school year.  Make sure to submit ALL of your reports (i.e., midterms, papers, and final) at the same time.  

Late Paper Policy:  I have given you far advance notice on your paper due date, thus, extensions, unless an emergency arises, will not be granted.  Papers are due at the beginning of class on the due date (19 February 08).  Papers received one day late, will be marked down one letter grade.  More than two days late can only receive a maximum grade of “C” if it was an “A” paper.

Contested Grades:  Grades can only be contested on exams and papers within 10 days when they are handed back.  Course grades can only be contested within 60 days of the end of the quarter.  Students can contest grades IAW UCSB policy.

Course Administration.

a.  Instructor.  Martin E. Stokes, LTC, Professor of Military Science; Bldg 451 Rm 118.  Telephone:  893-3042/2769.  mstokes@milsci.ucsb.edu

b.  Office Hours.  0930-1030 Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Conflicts may be resolved by an appointment.

c. Textbooks (*Required). 

*Doughty, Robert, A. and Ira D. Gruber, et. al., American Military History and the Evolution of Warfare in the Western World. D. C. Heath & Co., Lexington, Mass., 1996.

Richard W. Stewart, et. al, American Military History Volume 1 – The United States Army and the Forging of  a Nation, 1775-1917.  Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C. 2005.

Richard W. Stewart, et. al, American Military History Volume 2 – The United States Army in a Global Era, 1917-2003.  Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C. 2005.

d.  Holidays.  All UCSB recognized holidays will be observed in this course

MS 27 Overview Course Summary

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