SEST-562 Emerging Technologies and Security

Faculty:

VanAtta, Richard

This course surveys nascent technologies that have the potential to transform global security and conflict behavior during the first half of the 21st century. The course begins with an overview of recent scientific progress in a spectrum of emerging technologies, and then shifts to a weekly exposition of specific new technologies. Key topics include genetic engineering, nanotechnology, superconductivity, machine intelligence, micromechanical systems, high-energy lasers, virtual reality, and nonlethal weapons. In assessing the significance of these technologies, the course examines not only their direct military consequences, but broader cultural and economic implications that may indirectly have security ramifications. The potential for various technologies to transform security relationships is explored.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course syllabi
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Fall '13: VanAtta R (file download)

Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.

SEST-562-01 Emerging Technologies and Security

Van Atta

This course surveys nascent technologies that have the potential to transform global security and conflict behavior during the first half of the 21st century. The course begins with an overview of recent scientific progress in a spectrum of emerging technologies, and then shifts to a weekly exposition of specific new technologies. Key topics include genetic engineering, nanotechnology, superconductivity, machine intelligence, micromechanical systems, high-energy lasers, virtual reality, and nonlethal weapons. In assessing the significance of these technologies, the course examines not only their direct military consequences, but broader cultural and economic implications that may indirectly have security ramifications. The potential for various technologies to transform security relationships is explored.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2007-2008 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring

More information
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