IP36620 - STRATEGY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE

Module Identifier

IP36620

Module Title

STRATEGY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

Professor Mike Williams

Semester

Intended for use in future years

Next year offered

N/A

Next semester offered

N/A

Course delivery

Seminars / Tutorials

16 Hours. (8 x 2 hour)

Lecture

18 Hours. 18 x 1 hour)

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	2 Hours	50%
Semester Assessment	1 x 2000 word essay	30%
Semester Assessment	2 x Seminar Presentation	20%
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. 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.

Content

Lectures:
1. Introduction
2. Thinking Strategically: The Relevance of Clausewitz(?)
3. Strategy as a Social Practice I: Culture, Strategy and Strategic Action
4. Culture Strategy as a Social Practice II
5. Deterrence theory
6. The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy I
7. The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy II
8. Proliferation: Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
9. Disarmament and Arms Control: Prevention and Pre-emption
10. Strategic Defence: From Star Wars to Son of Star Wars
11. The RMA
12. Warlordism and the Logic of Conflict in State Collapse
13. Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement
14. The Privatisation of War?: The Rise of the PMC
15. The New `Defence in Depth': Homeland Security
16. War in the Televisual Age
17. New Wars, Old Wars, and the Future of Security
18. Summary, Review and Conclusion

Aims

The aims of this module are 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

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

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Lawrence Freedman The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy 2nd.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6