Elements of Statecraft: Defense, Diplomacy, and Intelligence (LPPS 7050)

 

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What Does UVA’s Elements of Statecraft Course Offer Students?

Elements of Statecraft provides UVA students at the Batten School‘s National Security Policy Center (NSPC) with a foundational understanding of the organizations and processes involved in contemporary U.S. statecraft, offering them opportunities to learn directly from current practitioners across the government. After discussing the United States’ interests and strategy, students explore how elements of national power are brought to bear to further U.S. policies. Participants become familiar with the Department of Defense, Department of State, the Intelligence Community, as well as the National Security Council and policymaking processes. A combination of lectures, guest-speakers, and research projects help develop an understanding of the organizational structures, cultures, and practices within the wider national security community. Guest lecturers share their experiences and provide professional guidance in class and during optional lunches at the National Security Policy Center. 

Elements of Statecraft is part of a wider initiative at the National Security Policy Center to connect students with the policy and defense communities. NSPC courses and practitioner engagement prepare our students for follow-on internships and employment in national security organizations. 

Elements of Statecraft (LPPS 7050) is taught during the fall semester and is open to graduate students from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Enrollment is limited to 24 students.

For more information, please contact John Robinson at [email protected]

Registration for the Fall 2026 semester is full. Join the Waitlist.

 

Elements of Statecraft Guest Lecturers

 

Mr. Eric Allison

Elements of Statecraft’s intelligence modules are co-taught by Mr. Eric Allison, an affiliate of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy since 2018. As a NSPC practitioner-mentor, he contributes his unique expertise on the Intelligence Community to undergraduate and graduate courses focused on national security.  Mr. Allison is a former member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service and multi-tour chief of station. He draws on over 40 years of experience gained in a variety of official intelligence collection and policy roles, as well as his work as an international consultant.

 

 

 

Ms. Rachel Alpert

Ms. Rachel Alpert is a sanctions expert who lectures on U.S. tools of economic statecraft. She is currently a partner at Jenner & Block LLP, where she co-chairs the National Security and Crisis practice group. Ms. Alpert recently completed her tenure as chief counsel for the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). She also served for seven years as an attorney-adviser in the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser.

 

 

 

Ms. Melissa Dalton

Ms. Melissa Dalton was the 28th under-secretary of the U.S. Air Force. She lectures on the importance of healthy civil-military relations. Ms. Dalton has over 20 years of experience in U.S. defense, aerospace, and national security affairs. As under-secretary, she was responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, overseeing an annual budget exceeding $200 billion, and accountable for the welfare of nearly 700,000 active-duty, guard, reserve, and civilian airmen, guardians, and their families.

 

 

 

Ms. Joan Mower

Ms. Joan Mower is a public media expert who lectures on U.S. strategic communications and public diplomacy. She was previously the director of the Business Development Office at the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the U.S. Government agency which oversees the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, Radio/TV Marti and the Middle East Broadcasting Corp. In that role, she handled partnerships with more than 4,000 broadcast and digital stations around the world, with offices in Cape Town, Accra, Bangkok and Prague.

 

 

 

Ambassador Steven Mull

Ambassador Stephen D. Mull is Vice Provost for Global Affairs at UVA. He lectures on the evolving role of diplomacy in U.S. statecraft. Before joining the university, he served in a broad range of U.S. national security positions, most recently as acting under secretary for political affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Ambassador Mull also served as lead coordinator for Iran nuclear implementation from August 2015 to August 2017. He was the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Poland from 2012 to 2015 and U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania from 2003 to 2006.

 

 

 

Admiral Charles “Chas” Richard

Admiral Charles A. Richard (Retired) served as commander of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) from November 2019 to December 2022. He lectures on the evolving relationship between emerging technology and strategic deterrence. As STRATCOM commander, Admiral Richard oversaw the global command and control of all the nation’s nuclear forces.  He has shared his experiences from this time with students, providing a one-of-a-kind window into this crucial national security role.