The tension between self-government and civil liberties on the one hand, and self-defense and national security on the other, has presented challenges since the beginning of the republic. These challenges have taken on particular significance since the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the ensuing “war on terrorism.” This course will explore specific controversies, such as those over the detention and interrogation of terrorism suspects, targeted killings on and off the battlefield, and surveillance practices at home and abroad. Common questions cut across each of these controversies, including: In what areas, if any, should the executive branch have exclusive decision-making authority? Can Congress play a meaningful oversight role? How should the judiciary balance its responsibility to uphold the rule of law against claims of national security expertise by the executive? Should encroachments on civil liberties and human rights be permitted in the name of national security and, if so, to what extent? The instructors – a career civil liberties lawyer and a career military officer – bring distinct perspectives to these questions, but share a common commitment to defending constitutional principles and striking the appropriate balance between safety and liberty.