The assessments in this course will provide you with the opportunity to address systematically the 12 Elements of Classical Theory Impact on Joint Theory and the Theory of War. Our first writing assignment asks you to consider the first three elements – the Purpose of War; the Nature and Character of War; and the Theory of Victory.
You will be able to make revisions to this assignment as part of your final paper to reflect what you have learned about these issues as we work through the material.
Analytical Paper 1 – Examine the ideas of a pair of classic theorists regarding three fundamental aspects of a Theory of War
This formative assignment requires you to present a comparison of the ideas of two classic theorists – Clausewitz & Mahan – regarding three specific fundamental aspects of a Theory of War. Focus on what the pair of theorists you select has to say about the Purpose of War, the Nature and Character of War, and the Theory of Victory (meaning how each determines success in war). You must support your assessments by references to the course readings to demonstrate mastery of them.
Three fundamental aspects of a Theory of War to be addressed are:
Purpose of War – political or other
Nature and Character of War – enduring vs. ever-changing
Theory of Victory – Culminating Point and meaning of outcome
This assignment will help you address CO-1 and CO-2.
The format should be as follows:
Introduction – introduces pair of theorists selected by describing each and their major work briefly — 1 page
Purpose of War addressed by each theorist – 2 pages
Nature and Character of War addressed by each theorist – 2 pages
Theory of Victory addressed by each theorist – 2 pages
Conclusion – summarizes main points of each theorist in all three areas and identifies the significance of your analysis of them — 1 page
Technical Guidance:
Your answers should be at a minimum 6-8 pages (the Title Page and Bibliography page will be additional pages).
Type in Times New Roman, 12 point and double space.
Use the three fundamental aspects of a Theory of War as subheadings in your paper.
Students will follow the Turabian Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework.
Use course material or other relevant scholarly sources.
The assignment will be graded using the attached grading rubric.
