Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
IP36620
Module Title
STRATEGY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Professor Mike Williams
Semester
Intended for use in future years

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 16 Hours. (8 x 2 hour)
Lecture 18 Hours. 18 x 1 hour)
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 2 x Seminar Presentation  20%
Semester Assessment 1 x 2000 word essay  30%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   50%
Supplementary Exam Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:


  • demonstrate an understanding of the key concerns of strategic studies since 1945, and of the assumptions underpinning strategic thought.
  • critically discuss the theory of nuclear deterrence and the development of nuclear strategy
  • discuss the new forms and dynamics of post-Cold War military force
  • assess emerging trends in strategic relations and their significance.
  • analyze the relationship between strategy and cultural contexts
  • assess the questions surrounding nuclear proliferation.

Brief description

This module is concerned with the development and nature of strategic thinking in the nuclear age.

Aims

The aim of this module is to
  • provide students with a thorough understanding of the key strategic theories developed during the nuclear age, of the assumptions underpinning them, and of some of the questions raised by the attempt to transfer these theories into practice.
  • Examine the cultural and political dynamics affecting strategic practices
  • Examine the shifting forms and strategies of contemporary conflict

Content

This module is concerned with the development and nature of strategic thinking in the nuclear age. The syllabus involves a consideration of: the nature, concerns and problems of strategic studies; the relationship between strategy and its social contexts; deterrence and nuclear strategy; the post-Cold War development of strategic relations ranging from the role of nuclear weapons, to questions surrounding proliferation, to the impact of new technologies upon strategic relations, to new and emerging forms and structures of conflict.

Transferable skills

Students will have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of transferable skills which will help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas. Throughout the course, students should practice and enhance their reading, comprehension and thinking skills. Ins lectures, students will develop listening and note-taking skills, as well as analytic skills. In seminars, case- and problem-based scenarios will allow students to develop their analytic and debating skills, as well as enhancing teamwork capacities and presentational abilities. Essay writing will encourage students to practice their independent research, writing, and IT skills, and the examination will test these skills under time constraint conditions.

10 ECTS Credits

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6