IP36620 - STRATEGY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE

Module Identifier	IP36620
Module Title	STRATEGY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE
Academic Year	2001/2002
Co-ordinator	Dr Mike Williams
Semester	Intended for use in future years
Next year offered	N/A
Next semester offered	N/A
Course delivery	Lecture	16 Hours 16 x 1 hour
	Seminars / Tutorials	8 Hours 8 x 1 hour
Assessment	Seminar presentation	1 x seminar presentation	10%
	Essay	1 x 2,000 word essay	30%
	Exam	2 Hours	60%

Objectives

At the end of this module students should be able to:

discuss the theory of nuclear deterrence and the development of nuclear strategy.

outline the development of NATO strategy.

discuss the development of Soviet strategy and identify the key features in Soviet thinking about

discuss the problems associated with nuclear proliferation.

identify the key features of thinking about conventional war.

discuss the theory and practice of peacekeeping, intervention and crisis management.

identify the key features of revolutionary/guerrilla warfare and the theories underpinning them.

discuss the theory and practice of terrorism.

analyze the role of new information technologies on the structure of deterrent strategies.

10 ECTS Credits

Brief description

This module is concerned with the development and nature of strategic thinking in the nuclear age. The course involves a consideration of deterrence and nuclear strategy; the British independent deterrent; proliferation; limited war; NATO, Soviet and Russian strategies; and the emergence of 'post-modern' war and strategies of cyber-deterrence. Conventional war; peacekeeping and crisis management; guerrilla warfare; intra-command conflict and terrorism will also be examined.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide a thorough understanding of the key strategic theories developed during the nuclear age, of the assumptions underpinning these theories, and of some of the problems in transferring these theories into practice. It also examines contemporary transformations in security and strategic relations.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Lawrence Freedman. The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy, 2nd edition.
Michale Klare ed. World Security.