Special Operations and Global Counterterrorism Research Practicum

Global counterterrorism operations have coincided with the dramatic growth of special operations forces. As forces specifically designed for asymmetric, embedded and culturally aware operations, there is an important need for the policy community and the military to understand lessons learned and evaluate strategic and operational success across the ever-expanding range of special operations activity. This course will allow students to collaborate on a large-scale database that documents lessons learned and facilitates research. Students will work with their colleague, retired Chief Warrant Officer Charles Woodson to create the Special Operations Research database. Training will focus on qualitative and quantitative research methodology, the technology of filming and organizing a digital library, and collaborative project management. The primary deliverable, in addition to the database, will be an original policy analysis derived from the data collected.