Defense Budgeting

This course provides a foundational understanding of how the U.S. defense budget is formulated, legislated, and managed. Students examine the interaction between the Executive and Legislative branches in shaping defense priorities, resource allocation, and program oversight. The course introduces analytic tools for interpreting and applying defense budget data to policy and program evaluation. Through interactive sessions and a culminating exercise, students explore trade‑offs across major defense programs, developing insight into how fiscal decisions reflect broader strategic and political considerations.