Module Identifier |
IP10320 |
Module Title |
WAR, STRATEGY AND INTELLIGENCE |
Academic Year |
2006/2007 |
Co-ordinator |
Dr Robert G Hughes |
Semester |
Semester 2 |
Mutually Exclusive |
GW10320 |
Course delivery |
Lecture | 8 Hours. (18 x 1 hour) |
|
Seminars / Tutorials | 18 Hours. (8 x 1 hour) |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 70% |
Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,000 word essay | 30% |
Supplementary Exam | Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module. For further clarification please contact the Academic Administrator in the Department of International Politics. | |
|
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will:
- have been introduced to the key issues and ideas concerning the role of force in International Relations, including its evolution, modern strategic thought and a number of contemporary issues in strategy;
- have a basic familiarity with the concepts utilized in contemporary strategic discourse;
- be able to apply these concepts to a range of issues and problems.
- Effectively deploy skills of: identification and location of appropriate sources; independent study; writing (essays and examinations); IT skills plus time-management.
10 ECTS credits
Brief description
This module is intended to provide an introduction to the study of the role of force in international relations, the manner of its use, and how assessments are made over its possible use. It includes a consideration of the utility of force, the evolution of warfare, contemporary strategic thought, the nature of intelligence and contemporary issues in strategy and torture.
Aims
This module provides an introduction to the role of force in International Relations, to thinking about force and to debates surrounding the issue of force. Specifically the module aims to address:
- The utility of force in the modern age.
- The evolution of modern warfare.
- Strategy in the nuclear age.
- The role of intelligence.
- Contemporary issues in strategy.
Content
The module is in four linked sections, which provide a thorough introduction to the subject. Each section consists of a number of lectures and 1 or 2 seminars. The module begins with a discussion of the utility of force in the modern age, war, its study and its evolution, the ethics of war and it then introduces key ideas on how force may be used. This includes and examination of theories of land, sea and air power, nuclear strategy and insurgency warfare. The third section examines the role of intelligence, including the legitimacy of intelligence gathering activities, intelligence and the state, and counter-espionage. Finally the module addresses a number of contemporary issues in strategy, including nuclear proliferation, terrorism, HIV/AIDS and the British decision to replace Trident.
Transferable skills
Throughout the module students will practice and enhance their reading, comprehension and thinking skills, as well as self-management skills. In seminars, students will enhance listening, explaining and debating skills, as well as oral presentational skills. Preparing for and writing-up essays will encourage students to practice independent research skills including data retrieval, selection, assembly and organization, writing, IT and time management.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Baylis Strategy in the contemporary world
Oxford University Press 019878273X
** Supplementary Text
Baylis Strategy in the contemporary world
Oxford University Press 019878273X
Baylis, John Contemporary strategy
Holmes 084190930X
Booth, Ken New thinking about strategy and international security
Harper Collins
Brown, Seyom The causes and prevention of war
St. Martin's Press 0312102690
Buzan, Barry The arms dynamic in world politics
Lynne Rienner 1555875963
Freedman, Lawrence War
Oxford University Press 0192892541
Gray, Colin S. Modern strategy /
Oxford University Press 0198782519
Holsti, K. J. Peace and war
Cambridge University Press 0521399297
Holsti, K. J. The State, war, and the state of war
Cambridge University Press 052157790X
Keegan, John A history of warfare
Pimlico 0712698507
Knorr, Klaus On the uses of military power in the nuclear age
Princeton U.P.
Luard, Evan The blunted sword
New Amsterdam Books 0941533484
Luard, Evan War in international society
Tauris
Mueller, John E Retreat from doomsday
Basic Books 0465069401
Paret, Peter Makers of modern strategy from Machiavelli to the nuclear age
Clarendon 0198200978
Seabury, Paul War
Basic Books 0465090680
Snyder, Craig A. Contemporary security and strategy
Macmillan 0333739647
Toffler, Alvin War and anti-war
Warner Books
Van Creveld, Martin On future war
Brassey's 0080417965
Journals
International security http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=international+security&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20
Orbis http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=orbis&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20
Survival http://voyager.aber.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&Search_Arg=survival&SL=None&Search_Code=JALL&CNT=20
Web Page/Sites
Department of International Politics http://www.aber.ac.uk/interpol/
Passwords and Guides to Electronic Journals at UWA http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/guides/ejournals.asp
Subject Information & Links for International Politics http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/subject/interpol/
UWA Electronic Information Resources http://www.inf.aber.ac.uk/academicliaison/elecinfo.asp
UWA Electronic Journals http://www.aber.ac.uk/is/ejournals/
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4