Course Descriptions*
*Please Note: The following descriptions are not official Fletcher course descriptions. To read official course descriptions, please go to the courses page.
The Fletcher Maritime Studies Program examines maritime issues from three perspectives:
DHP D205: Contemporary Maritime Affairs: Global Trade, Maritime Security, Territorial Disputes and Environmental Issues at Sea
Over 90% of international trade is carried by sea – the lifeblood of globalization. The world’s oceans also present a myriad of opportunities and challenges in international affairs, such as territorial disputes, opening Arctic sea routes, piracy, terrorism, strained fisheries, mineral and energy extraction, marine disasters, whaling, maritime security and technological advances in maritime domain awareness. The course will explore these issues and other maritime topics based on individual student interests. Course format is lecture and discussion. Writing and speaking skills receive considerable attention.
DHP P206M: Maritime Security
Maritime security is a constant fixture in security headlines. Ranging from territorial disputes in the South China Sea to piracy near strategic chokepoints, maritime security challenges are varied and complex. This course seeks to unravel these challenges by examining the basic foundations of maritime security. These include the key technologies and technological trends which affect maritime security, the role of Great Powers, the importance of chokepoints, and future of non-state actors. Students taking this course will emerge with a nuanced understanding of security challenges in the maritime domain and knowledge of maritime terminology used by practitioners in the field.
ILO L222: Selected Issues in Law of the Sea
This module is an exploration of current issues implicating the Law of the Sea (and in particular the Geneva Convention on Territorial Seas and United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea) with a focus on the South China Sea and Arctic Ocean. It explores the interaction of an international legal regime with the challenges posed by geography, climate change, history, military rivalry, trade and politics, and in turn how an international legal regime can itself influence the course of national conduct, whether through negotiation, adjudication or “lawfare”. We will also discuss how the ambivalent attitudes of leading military and commercial powers affect the rule of law in the oceanic context. One-half credit. Taught by Professor John Burgess.
DHP P259: Science Diplomacy: Environmental Security in the Arctic Ocean
This course will address “science diplomacy” as an emerging interdisciplinary field with global relevance to promote cooperation and prevent conflict among nations. The Arctic Ocean will be used as a case-study where science-policy interactions are being used to balance national interests and common interests with regard to sustainable infrastructure development. More specifically, lessons of science diplomacy will be illustrated in the context of environmental security as an integrated approach for assessing and responding to the risks as well as the opportunities generated by an environmental state-change. Overall, objective of this course is to consider scientific contributions to sustainable, stable and peaceful development in our world with a long-term view toward balancing economic prosperity, environmental protection, social equity and public welfare – considering the urgencies of today and the needs of future generations. Spring semester. Taught by Professor Paul Arthur Berkman
DHP H202: Maritime History and Globalization
A study of world history over the past 500 years from a salt-water perspective. The course will examine the ocean as avenue, arena, source, and cultural metaphor, analyzing major themes such as the impact of changing technologies and modes of warfare, evolving patterns of trade, and differing cultural perceptions. The format will be lecture, with some discussion. Fall semester. Geoffrey Gresh. Not taught Fall 2017
Fletcher courses can often be adapted to student interests, whether choosing topics for papers, projects, or presentations. Below are a number of courses Fletcher students interested in maritime affairs have found useful.
| Other Relevant Fletcher Courses | |
| ILO L223 | International Environmental Law |
| ILO L230 | International Business Transactions |
| ILO L231M | International Arbitration |
| ILO L240 | Legal and Institutional Aspects of International Trade |
| ILO L250 | Law and Development |
| DHP D233 | Migration and Human Rights |
| DHP D236 | Migration and Governance in the Global South |
| DHP D239 | Forced Migration |
| DHP D264 | Geopolitics of Energy in Eurasia |
| DHP D267 | The Geopolitics of Energy in the Asia-Pacific Region |
| DHP D271 | International Relations of the United States and East Asia: 1945 to the Present |
| DHP P208M | Topics in International Relations and Security Policy |
| DHP P220 | Process of International Negotiation |
| DHP P236 | Cyber in the Civilian Sector: Threats and Upheavals |
| DHP P240 | The Role of Force in International Politics |
| DHP P251 | Energy, Entrepreneurship, & Finance |
| DHP P254 | Climate Change and Clean Energy Policy |
| DHP P255 | International Energy Policy |
| DHP P213 | The Evolution of Grand Strategy |
| DHP P250 | Elements of International Environmental Policy |
| DHP P257 | Corporate Management of Environmental Issues |
| DHP P273 | Strategic Dimensions of China’s Rise |
| EIB E243 | Agriculture and Rural Development in Developing Countries |
| EIB E248 | Agriculture and the Environment |
| EIB B231 | International Business Strategy and Operations |
| EIB B236 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Evolving Context of International Business |
| EIB B252 | Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization |
| EIB B254 | Cross-Sector Partnerships |
| EIB B281M | Managing Operations and Supply Chains in Global Companies |
| EIB B284 | Petroleum in the Global Economy |