An essay to meet [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3 & 4]

The theories of Sun Tzu and Clausewitz. War as policy and the importance of strategic theory. Inter - war theories of strategic bombing and the experience of the Second World War: Douhet and Trenchard. Vulnerability of the state.

Theories of deterrence and the nuclear age. Political realism and nuclear weapons. Wohlstetter, Kahn and Schelling. The evolution of NATO strategy. Theories of arms races and arms control.

Peace Research as critque and alternative perspective. Wright, Richardson and Galtung. North-South security issues.

Post-cold war security. The 'new security architecture' in Europe. NATO, Partnership for Peace and OSCE. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction: State and non-state threats.

Critical security studies

A programme of 11 lectures will provide background knowledge, structure to the module and identify highly significant themes, concepts and theories. 11 tutorial sessions will be used for discussion and debate on substantive issues drawn from the programme and structured weekly by a module handbook. Video presentations will also be made. 128 hours are allocated to self-directed study aided by the handbook and comprehensive reading lists. This time should be used for researching topics and theoretical material, preparing for tutorial discussions and working on the essay required for assessment. You will be expected to engage in discussion and will receive feedback on your ideas as part of prepration for the assignment.

Overhead projector and video player

Craig A Snyder (ed) Contemporary Security and Strategy, Routledge, NY, 1999.
Ken Booth Statecraft and Security, CUP, Cambridge, 1998
Baylis, Wirtz, Cohen & Gray Strategy in the Contemporary World, OUP, 2002