Master of Defence Studies

Graduate Studies Calendar 2012-2013

General Information

Contact Information

  • Department Head - J.C. Stone
  • Programme Chair - J.C. Stone
  • Admissions Committee Chair - J.C. Stone
  • Telephone: 416-482-6800 ext. 6841
  • Fax: 416-482-6802 or 613-541-6972
  • Email: stone@cfc.dnd.ca

The Department of Defence Studies is a department of the Faculty of Arts that is located at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, Ontario.

Programme Offered

The Department offers courses in defence studies that are either specifically designed for the degree Master of Defence Studies (MDS) or fall within the framework of the MA in War Studies MA(WS) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees, depending on which professional military education programme an individual is undertaking at the Canadian Forces College.

The degree Master of Defence Studies (MDS) is offered to students of the Joint Command and Staff Programme (JCSP) concurrently with the JCSP. It is a professional one-year Master's Degree awarded by the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) and approved by the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is potentially offered to students of the National Security Programme (NSP). The programme leads to a Master of Public Administration awarded by the Royal Military College of Canada and approved by the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies.

Master of Defence Studies

The degree Master of Defence Studies investigates the relationships between the Profession of Arms and National Security policies. It includes military command, leadership and the conduct of major military operations and strategy including war fighting, peace support operations, and domestic operations for national security. The management of defence resources is also encompassed within defence studies. The degree covers both applied and theoretical topics. Since defence studies are inherently interdisciplinary, it draws upon defence management, economics, history, human resources management, international relations, peace studies, sociology, anthropology, strategic and security studies, warfare studies, and other academic disciplines. The degree is generally limited to competitively selected members of the profession, according to nationally and internationally recognized standards of professional competence.

Defence Studies (DS) credits may be acceptable toward other graduate programmes. Check each programme's section in the calendar.

Admission

Officers admitted to the Canadian Forces College through professional selection are deemed to be students of RMCC, and their work is assessed as part of a graduate programme. Graduate level Defence Studies courses are an integral aspect of professional programmes of study designed for both the third and fourth development periods (DP3 and DP4) for Canadian officers. All Defence Studies courses are offered at the Canadian Forces College as components of the Joint Command and Staff Programme (JCSP) and the National Security Programme (NSP).

Students wishing to read for the MDS degree along with the JCSP or the MPA degrees along with the NSP must apply for admission to RMCC in accordance with the procedures outlined in the general regulations defined in the RMCC Graduate Studies Calendar. Students applying to these graduate programmes will normally require an Honours (four year) Bachelor's degree in Arts, Science or Engineering, or an equivalent from a recognized university with at least a "B" average (73% or better) standing in the last year.

The JCSP and NSP programmes are only available to military officers competitively selected for attendance or to civilians selected by their employer for attendance.

Information for Non JCSP students seeking details regarding admission to the Royal Military College as a graduate student can be found in the Admissions section of this Calendar

JCSP and NSP students will be briefed on their respective degree programmes at CFC.

Programme Requirements

Students admitted into the MDS must complete the JCSP curriculum, which includes eight credits for Defence Studies courses. In addition, students must write an Independent Research Project (PR500). Credits for Defence Studies courses may be applied towards other degrees with the approval of the Chair of the relevant programme.

Students admitted to the MPA as part of the NSP will be required to meet the requirements of their respective degrees in accordance with the information contained in the appropriate section of this calendar.

Students undertaking the JCSP or NSP and reading for a degree will have all written work marked in accordance with graduate studies standards that require that they maintain a minimum grade of B- (70%). Students will be assigned an academic advisor who will supervise and mark their work. The advisor will be an academic resident at the CFC campus of RMCC in Toronto, at the main RMCC campus in Kingston, or based on subject matter expertise at a local area university. Upon successful completion of all work required for the MDS degree, the CFC Registrar will forward the file to RMCC for consideration by the RMCC Senate. For those who have completed all the required work, degrees will normally be awarded at the graduation ceremony at the CFC campus.

Programme Descriptions

The Canadian Forces College offers a variety of courses for Canadian Forces regular and reserve officers, allied officers, and selected civilians. These courses are counted toward programmes either managed by the Department of Defence Studies or other Committees at RMCC. Not all of the defence studies courses listed below are acceptable in all degree programmes. Students must ensure they check each degree programme's section in the graduate studies calendar.

In the course descriptions that follow, the timing is indicative of credit weight. Actual timing and delivery may vary according to the scheduling of the JCSP and NSP (for example, a course indicated as three periods for one term may actually be delivered over two terms, but would still be worth one credit, based on total contact hours and forms of evaluation).

Joint Command and Staff Programme

The Joint Command and Staff Programme (JCSP) is for mid-level leaders and managers, available in two learning streams, both of which include the option of reading for a Master of Defence Studies, and designed to extend the knowledge base required by professional officers. It is intended primarily for Majors and Lieutenant-Commanders, and seeks to provide officers with the analytical and interpretive skills necessary for military success and quality leadership of the Canadian Forces. Students on the JCSP are competitively selected from amongst their peers, in accordance with exacting professional criteria. The curriculum emphasizes command and leadership, ethics, and military operations across the spectrum of conflict. Operational art, understanding of national security, defence management and professional officership skills are developed through individual and collective effort on the following courses:

  • DS541: Leadership and Ethics
  • DS542: Command and Management
  • DS543: War and Society
  • DS544: Basic Joint Operational Planning
  • DS545: Component Capabilities
  • DS546: Advanced Operational Planning
  • DS547: National Security and International Affairs

National Security Programme

The National Security Programme (NSP) is a ten-month residential programme, which offers courses designed to prepare senior officers at the Colonel and Captain (N) rank level or civilian equivalent for demanding command and leadership positions in a global environment. Students are competitively selected in accordance with professional standards and potential for advancement. The curriculum emphasizes strategic leadership, strategic management and war fighting in joint and combined operations at the operational and strategic levels. The nature of the modern military profession makes international standards for the conduct of operations an essential element of each course.

The professional NSP core courses are:

  • DS571: Canada in the Global Strategic Environment
  • DS572: Canadian Governance in Comparative Context
  • DS581: Executive Leadership
  • DS582: Strategic Resource Management
  • DS584: The Role of Culture in Whole-of-Government Approaches
  • DS591: The Theory and Practice of High Command
  • DS592: Comprehensive Operations
  • DS594: Strategic Art
  • DS597: Contemporary Security Studies

In addition to the cores courses listed above, there are a number of electives that may be taken in conjunction with the NSP core courses. This may include NSP elective defence studies courses, core MPA courses to meet degree requirements and elective MPA courses.

Additional Defence Studies Credits

Students requiring additional DS courses to complete the requirements for the MDS are invited to register for the following courses related to their professional duties, under appropriate supervision assigned by the Department of Defence Studies.

The following courses may be available by arrangement with faculty of the Department of Defence Studies.

  • DS501: Analysis of Contemporary Conflict
  • DS503: Field Research on Contemporary Conflict
  • DS505: Analysis of Defence Headquarters Issues
  • DS507: Field Research on Defence Headquarters Issues
  • DS509: Analysis of Doctrinal Questions
  • DS511: Empirical Research on Doctrinal Questions
  • DS513: Special Topics: Readings In Security Studies
  • DS515: Independent Study
  • DS519: Military Law in Comparative perspective

Course Descriptions

DS501 Analysis of Contemporary Conflict

Students learn techniques for conflict analysis from a reading package and apply those techniques to analyze a recent or contemporary conflict drawing on primary and secondary sources.  Students provide an assessment and critique of the utility of various analytical tools for the purposes of the research problem they have chosen.

Credit(s):
1

DS503 Field Research on Contemporary Conflict

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, students map a conflict and identify researchable questions, consider ethical and safety issues, and deploy for a period of field research using Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) or a comparable technique. Research involving human subjects requires prior approval by a university Research Ethics Board. Supervisors may request evidence of competence in analytical techniques before permitting the field research to proceed.  DS501: Analysis of Contemporary Conflict, is recommended as a companion course.

Credit(s):
1

DS505 Analysis of Defence Headquarters Issues

Students survey from a reading package analytical techniques drawing on various disciplines (organizational psychology, sociology, anthropology, and management science) appropriate to research in a complex headquarters environment. They then apply an appropriate technique to the study of a professional problem within a defence headquarters or similar organization. Students provide an assessment and critique of the utility of various analytical tools for the purposes of the research problem they have chosen.

Credit(s):
1

DS507 Field Research on Defence Headquarters Issues

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, students identify researchable questions related to the functioning of a headquarters or staff organization, consider ethical and safety issues, and deploy for a period of research in the organization using an appropriate research technique. Research involving human subjects requires prior approval by a university Research Ethics Board and notification of the appropriate supervisors (including DHRRE). Supervisors may request evidence of competence in analytical techniques before permitting the research to proceed. DS507: Analysis of Analysis of Defence Headquarters Issues, is recommended as companion course.

Credit(s):
1

DS509 Analysis of Doctrinal Questions

Students survey historical debates on questions of military or related security doctrine from a study package, and identify techniques for analysis and resolution of doctrinal differences. They then apply appropriate techniques to the analysis of a recent or evolving doctrinal debate. Students provide an assessment and critique of the utility of various analytical tools for the purposes of the research problem they have chosen.

Credit(s):
1

DS511 Empirical Research on Doctrinal Questions

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, students identify a question of military or security doctrine for which there is expected to be an empirical answer. They identify research and analytical techniques that will yield empirical data from which to answer the doctrinal question. These may include gaming, simulation, field experimentation, observation, or case comparison. Research involving human subjects requires prior approval by a university Research Ethics Board and notification of the appropriate supervisors (including DHRRE). Supervisors may request evidence of competence in analytical techniques before permitting the research to proceed. DS509 Analysis of Doctrinal Questions, is recommended as a companion course.

Credit(s):
1

DS513 Special Topics: Readings In Security Studies

This course offers students the opportunity to examine selected topics in the various fields of security studies. The emphasis will be on security and defence with particular attention to Canada and North America. In any one year, topics chosen will include some of the following: defence analysis and policy making; intelligence and national security; evolution of strategic thought; the privatization of security and the role of non-state actors; homeland security; human security; science, technology and security; terrorism and counter-terrorism; environmental security. Students are welcome to suggest areas of personal interest. Course work includes a research paper of graduate seminar quality and/or presentations.

Credit(s):
1

DS515 Independent Study

This course provides an opportunity for students to design and execute an independent research project on a question that interests them in the general area of defence studies that is not covered by an existing course at CFC. Normally, this course is conducted as a directed studies course (i.e. reading course) and involves individual research under the direction of the instructor and the submission of a research paper of graduate seminar quality. Only one independent study can be taken for credit towards a single degree. All independent study proposals must be approved by the Head of the Department of Defence Studies. Before approval is granted, students must have sought out and gained the support of a faculty member with the relevant expertise, agreed with that expert on an appropriate plan of study, finalized a topic and question for research, and established a legitimate procedure for assessment.

Credit(s):
1

DS519 Military Law in Comparative Perspective

Military law in Canada has evolved historically, legally, and organizationally to meet the specific needs of the Canadian Forces and reflect broader changes in Canadian society. This course examines the state of Canadian military law from the past to the present day, with particular emphasis on the balance between operational requirements and the primacy of civilian control in a parliamentary democracy.

Credit(s):
1

DS541 Leadership and Ethics

The course uses lectures, practical exercises, case studies, and small group discussions to explore leadership theory, professional ethics, cultural complexity, the profession of arms, critical thinking, and problem solving to enhance students' leadership effectiveness. Participants apply decision-making tools to resolve leadership scenarios, and subject matter experts provide evaluation and feedback based on experience and published research. Assessment is by participation in seminars and discussions, practical exercises and simulation and written essays.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS542 Command and Management

The course uses lectures, practical exercises, case studies, and small group discussions to explore the theory of command, the command environment, principle-based decision making including negotiating and alternative perspectives, law of armed conflict, and Canadian Defence Management to enhance students' overall capacity to command. Participants apply decision-making tools to resolve command challenges, and subject matter experts provide evaluation and feedback based on experience and published research. Assessment is by participation in seminars and discussions, practical exercises and simulation and a written essay.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS543 War and Society

This course examines the shifts in the practise of warfare as a product of society. Topics to be addressed are Warfare and the Ancients, Early and Late Industrialism, Emergence of Operational Art and Into the Future - Informationalism. Assessment is by a participation in seminars and discussions, practical exercises and simulation and a written essay.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS544 Basic Joint Operational Planning

This course develops the basic knowledge and skills essential for the planning and conduct of joint and combined operations at the operational level. The first module consists of practical exercises during which students work in teams to produce operational designs and Concept of Operations (CONOP) documents for operations in the contemporary operating environment. The second module examines the significance of the operational functions in the conduct of contemporary warfare. Assessment is by oral presentations, synopses, tutorials and a course confirmatory exam.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS545 Component Capabilities

This course focuses on the functions and fundamentals of the Maritime, Land, Aerospace and Special Operations components which form the combat power in joint and combined operations. Study will look at the historic development of each of the CF components, their characteristics and finally their role in joint and combined operations. Assessment is by oral presentations, case studies and course confirmatory activities involving five written synopses.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS546 Advanced Joint Operational Planning

This course develops the advanced knowledge and skills for the planning and conduct of joint and combined operations across the spectrum of conflict at the operational level. The first module examines domestic operations, including a study of counter-terrorism and consideration of other governmental departments involved in domestic and continental operations. The second examines expeditionary operations, involving a study of stability, peace support and counter-insurgency operations. It includes consideration of the joint and multinational military forces available to a joint force commander to achieve effects across the spectrum of conflict, as well as the coordination required with other government departments and non-government organizations. The third module involves practical exercises requiring the students to work in teams to produce the Concept of Operations (CONOP) documents for domestic operations and expeditionary operations. Assessment is by oral presentations, case studies and a course confirmatory activity involving two practical exercises.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
2

DS547 National Security and International Affairs

This course analyzes domestic and international factors that affect Canada and influence its policies. The first module provides the theoretical foundations for analyzing and understanding state power, strategic studies and international relations. Later modules focus on the socio-cultural factors, institutional processes, values, interests and issues that influence Canadian strategic decision making; Canada's relationship with the United States; and Canada's role in various international organizations and the global power environment within which Canadian policies are shaped and implemented. Assessment is by presentations, participation in seminars, discussions and a written essay.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS571 Canada in the Global Strategic Environment

This course examines Canada's place in the post-Cold War international political, strategic and economic environment. It begins with a review of traditional international relations theories and their applicability in understanding contemporary global affairs. The course then turns to an examination of trends in inter-state relations, the role of non-state actors including international governmental and non-governmental institutions, failed and fragile states as well as clandestine transnational political and religious movements. The course also considers characteristics of national power, their determinants, and the constraints on the use of military power in order to enable participants to distinguish the elements of national power and the impact of the constraints on the formulation of defence policy and military strategy in Canada.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS572 Canadian Governance in Comparative Context

This course examines contemporary political systems comparing their formal institutions and decision making processes. The course covers western, liberal democracies with market economies, newly emerging democratic states, various kinds of authoritarian regimes as well as the differing impact of history, geography, religion and ideology in how governments operate and the place of civil-society in the political process. The course will also assess the impact of differing domestic systems on the conduct of foreign and defence policy for Canada and Canada's allies.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS581 Executive Leadership

This course combines formal presentations, case studies and seminar discussions to enable participants to integrate theories, doctrine and practical experiences of leadership at the strategic level. The course will draw on a primary text and current Canadian Forces leadership manuals to provide the conceptual and doctrinal basis for understanding leadership.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS582 Strategic Resource Management

This course combines formal presentations, case studies and seminar discussions to refine participants understanding of strategic and institutional level resource management including policy formulation and to evaluate the functioning of the resource management system with emphasis on defence. The course will examine a range of financial, material, infrastructure and human resource topics in the context of federal government policies and programmes.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS584 The Role of Culture in Whole-of-Government Approaches

This course is designed to allow senior decision makers, both military and civilian, to study the role of culture in contexts involving Whole-of-Government approaches, at the strategic and operational levels. The course will focus on those theories and concepts of culture that are the most applicable to contexts involving Whole-of-Government approaches, at the strategic and operational levels. The course will also examine the practical dimensions of leading and managing in multicultural contexts. Topics covered include anthropological, sociological and psychological understandings of cultural realities; culture and inter-agency collaboration in domestic and international contexts; and dealing with organizational and ethnic cultural otherness. Assessment is by essay, case study report and participation in seminars and discussions.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS591 The Theory and Practice of High Command

This course is designed to allow senior decision makers, both military and civilian, to study command at the strategic and operational levels. The course will focus on those theories and concepts of command that are most applicable to the strategic and operational levels. The course will also examine the practise of high command in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Topics to be covered include the comprehensive interrelationships at the strategic level as well as interconnections with the operational level; the evolution of the practise of high command throughout the 20th century, particularly the evolution of Canada's high command system since the end of the Cold War.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS592 Comprehensive Operations

This course is designed to examine the concept of integrated operations as it applies in the current and future defence and security environment. The course will focus on the processes involved in the formulation of strategic objectives and the resultant linkages among ends, ways and means, in joint, combined, coalition, alliance and integrated (inter-agency) environments. The course will also examine the impact of modern theories of conflict, concepts and doctrine on these processes and the resultant campaign plans.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS594 Strategic Art

This course is designed to examine military support to national and grand strategy. This course will focus on military support to strategy. The military instrument of power is normally employed for diplomatic purposes as part of a larger strategy. This has led to its use as a means to influence allies, neutral parties or adversaries in the attainment of non-military ends. Phenomena such as strategic coercion, nation building and even peace support operations need to be examined in this light to separate the political logic for engaging in such tasks from the military judgement of how such tasks ought to be conducted. This course will rely on historical and contemporary applications of a number of activities to illustrate the theme of the course

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

DS597 Contemporary Security Studies

This course consists of field research in which participants gather information and make analyses based on the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during the conduct of the six core courses of the NSP. Participants must use this theoretical knowledge as a basis for gathering field data and then conducting a comparative analysis of an issue related to strategic security, leadership and resource management. Using written analyses participants demonstrate their comprehension of the material taught during the core courses as well as their cognitive capacities in gathering and analyzing appropriate data and in presenting their findings in a clear and effective manner. This course consists of approximately 120 hours of field research during which participants visit strategic and operational level organizations and facilities in a variety of world regions.

Seminar:
3 periods a week (one term)
Credit(s):
1

PR500 Research Project

The aim of the Individual Research Project is to develop the participants' ability to think critically and communicate effectively in writing. This aim is accomplished by requiring the students to prepare a properly documented, persuasive essay on a topic of military significance over the course of their year at the College. Students pursuing the MDS are required to produce a paper of between 14,000 and 20,000 words in length. Those pursuing either the MA WS or MPA will be required to meet the requirements of their respective programme. Credits: 1 or 2 depending on the degree programme

Credits:
1 or 2 depending on the degree programme