International Affairs vs. Defense and Strategic Studies

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BubbaCool12

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I’ve decided on majoring in one of these fields to pair with Grand Strategy. Reading the descriptions of the majors has me confused since both have similar wording. They even have the same affinity with GS. I want to learn more about conflict and defense how DSS seems to craft it, but don’t want to miss out on education about the international system which the website explains as “relevant to US Army officers.” Any cadets/graduates/others have insight on this?
 
As a former IR major, this is how I would briefly describe it: International Relations will look into the theories of international politics (ex: realism vs liberalism). You will look into what influences political leaders, organizations, institutions; examine case studies of why certain people made their decisions or why certain outcomes happened the way it did; look at modern day examples and discuss what drives people to do what they do; look into the ways-means-ends of war; look at strategy

I had friends who were DSS majors and from what we talked about, it seemed that DSS was more military focused. Yes, they learned a bit about international relations and politics, but they seemed to focus more on the military as a whole; whereas, I felt that International Relations was an even broader scope by looking at the political leaders that lead their nations

Keep in mind, I may not be 100% accurate and I'm sure there are plenty of electives that you can take in each department
 
One of my kids switched from IR to DSS...and loved it. He was never so happy or interested as when he started the DSS classes. They are interesting. It is like getting a degree in Army and Strategy and Communications. He was delighted. It matched well with the Civil Engineering track--which was also practical and interesting and had great field trips.

His big CAPSTONE group project was briefed to a previous Secretary of the Army.

Doing this major does not prevent you from getting a masters in just about anything...law school, a DSS or strategy masters, history, MBA, etc.
 
toomuchtimeonmyhands said:
As a former IR major, this is how I would briefly describe it: International Relations will look into the theories of international politics (ex: realism vs liberalism). You will look into what influences political leaders, organizations, institutions; examine case studies of why certain people made their decisions or why certain outcomes happened the way it did; look at modern day examples and discuss what drives people to do what they do; look into the ways-means-ends of war; look at strategy

I had friends who were DSS majors and from what we talked about, it seemed that DSS was more military focused. Yes, they learned a bit about international relations and politics, but they seemed to focus more on the military as a whole; whereas, I felt that International Relations was an even broader scope by looking at the political leaders that lead their nations

Keep in mind, I may not be 100% accurate and I'm sure there are plenty of electives that you can take in each department
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That's a helpful explanation, thank you.

Looking at the red book, looks like only differences lay in the two unique courses for each: Comp Poli Institutions/Intl Poli Econ, Int Security/Natl Security Seminar. And looks like you take one of the two in the other theme... I'm guessing you need to sacrifice one course by choosing one theme? I'm looking at course descriptions and Poli Institutions is one I'd be able to take off. Did you take Comp Poli Institutions, and if so what was your experience? Do you have insight from your fellow IR majors you remember when deciding on what course to miss out on?

Also, would you say that IR is more optimal in international and military scope than DSS? Like IR gives better international scope but also has a solid military scope, whereas DSS gives a better military scope but doesn't have as much international in proportion?

I'm planning to stay in the military and specialize in strategy that way but would also need a good international scope. I don't plan to be involved in global politics on the civilian side so that's another factor I'm considering.
 
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DrMom said:
One of my kids switched from IR to DSS...and loved it. He was never so happy or interested as when he started the DSS classes. They are interesting. It is like getting a degree in Army and Strategy and Communications. He was delighted. It matched well with the Civil Engineering track--which was also practical and interesting and had great field trips.

His big CAPSTONE group project was briefed to a previous Secretary of the Army.

Doing this major does not prevent you from getting a masters in just about anything...law school, a DSS or strategy masters, history, MBA, etc.
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DSS is indeed unique... Can't go wrong with either major! Thank you for the insight.
 
Current DSS major here - I love the major and have had incredible opportunities through it - meeting with many current and former Generals (JSOC, combatant commands, etc), lunch with the SECDEF, and an enormous amount of incredible insight in other areas. We study the big picture of warfighting and international relations through a strategist's lense. A downside to the major is that I've had many cadets and officers who have made fun of the major and say it will amount to nothing; that DSS is a useless major and that we are wasting our time.

I chose the MILITARY academy because I loved the profession of arms and wanted to spend my time in college majoring in a subject that would further my professional development. The instructors are mostly all excellent with a great wealth of Army and special ops. experience, there are an enormous amount of travel and internship opportunities in the summer.
 
thesword76 said:
Current DSS major here - I love the major and have had incredible opportunities through it - meeting with many current and former Generals (JSOC, combatant commands, etc), lunch with the SECDEF, and an enormous amount of incredible insight in other areas. We study the big picture of warfighting and international relations through a strategist's lense. A downside to the major is that I've had many cadets and officers who have made fun of the major and say it will amount to nothing; that DSS is a useless major and that we are wasting our time.

I chose the MILITARY academy because I loved the profession of arms and wanted to spend my time in college majoring in a subject that would further my professional development. The instructors are mostly all excellent with a great wealth of Army and special ops. experience, there are an enormous amount of travel and internship opportunities in the summer.
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Great answer @thesword76 Enjoy your major--you will be able to speak so comfortably about strategy and the security environment--more so than the average 2LT (not that it will necessarily help you but you will be really well informed & sound incredibly smart and well prepared for branch interviews...). Also, please know that when you are ready to do a masters in the future, there are ample pathways for that.
 
@BubbaCool12 , I'm sure that @thesword76 would agree that neither major will hinder your ascension into almost any branch. You may not "use the major" much as an O-1 or 2, but either major would be completely relevant to both your and his stated goals.

A protip from my Army O-3 DS would be to be proficient in a language before you commission. (I can't imagine either major not having some kind of language requirement.) Take advantage of the most immersive language/culture programs available. DS (AROTC) studied Russian on Project GO in Kyiv, living with a Russian speaking Ukrainian family. Like your major, you may not use it as an O-1 or 2, but you will get paid for it and you never know when it might be called upon, thereby putting you in a position to stand out. It is measurable differentiator between you and your cohort.
 
cb7893 said:
@BubbaCool12 , I'm sure that @thesword76 would agree that neither major will hinder your ascension into almost any branch. You may not "use the major" much as an O-1 or 2, but either major would be completely relevant to both your and his stated goals.

A protip from my Army O-3 DS would be to be proficient in a language before you commission. (I can't imagine either major not having some kind of language requirement.) Take advantage of the most immersive language/culture programs available. DS (AROTC) studied Russian on Project GO in Kyiv, living with a Russian speaking Ukrainian family. Like your major, you may not use it as an O-1 or 2, but you will get paid for it and you never know when it might be called upon, thereby putting you in a position to stand out. It is measurable differentiator between you and your cohort.
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Thank you for that advice, I’m currently intermediate in Spanish but not sure where it’s used in the current landscape; if I end up picking up Russian or Chinese I’d be open to it as well.
 
thesword76 said:
Current DSS major here - I love the major and have had incredible opportunities through it - meeting with many current and former Generals (JSOC, combatant commands, etc), lunch with the SECDEF, and an enormous amount of incredible insight in other areas. We study the big picture of warfighting and international relations through a strategist's lense. A downside to the major is that I've had many cadets and officers who have made fun of the major and say it will amount to nothing; that DSS is a useless major and that we are wasting our time.

I chose the MILITARY academy because I loved the profession of arms and wanted to spend my time in college majoring in a subject that would further my professional development. The instructors are mostly all excellent with a great wealth of Army and special ops. experience, there are an enormous amount of travel and internship opportunities in the summer.
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Thank you for telling me about your experience, and yes the only downside seems to be the backlash but not so much about the curriculum itself.
 
BubbaCool12 said:
Thank you for that advice, I’m currently intermediate in Spanish but not sure where it’s used in the current landscape; if I end up picking up Russian or Chinese I’d be open to it as well.
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Take the Spanish as far as you can in high school. Seek out language immersion programs, like Rotary Exchange.

Russian is difficult but very doable. Although Spanish is in an entirely different language family, simply having the experience of learning another language makes the next one easier, whatever it is. I started Russian as a college Freshman, with two years of French under my belt. Did four years and after graduation spent a year in Poland. I hardly studied, having the four years of Russian, a Polish Roommate, and a Polish girlfriend, the future Mrs cb7893. I ended up speaking much better Polish than Russian.

My major was International affairs with an area specialization in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

These are the DOD strategic languages:


Pick an area of the world that fascinates you and go for it.

Best of luck!
 
cb7893 said:
Take the Spanish as far as you can in high school. Seek out language immersion programs, like Rotary Exchange.

Russian is difficult but very doable. Although Spanish is in an entirely different language family, simply having the experience of learning another language makes the next one easier, whatever it is. I started Russian as a college Freshman, with two years of French under my belt. Did four years and after graduation spent a year in Poland. I hardly studied, having the four years of Russian, a Polish Roommate, and a Polish girlfriend, the future Mrs cb7893. I ended up speaking much better Polish than Russian.

My major was International affairs with an area specialization in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

These are the DOD strategic languages:


Pick an area of the world that fascinates you and go for it.

Best of luck!
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Thank you!
 
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