Skip to content

Module Catalogue

Breadcrumbs navigation

IR5800   Modern War and Strategy

Academic year(s): 2023-2024

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Compulsory for Strategic Studies Postgraduate programme

Planned timetable: Thursdays 11-1pm

The module will provide students with essential knowledge of strategy and military history. It will be taught in tandem with the second core module of the M.Litt in Strategic Studies, which focuses on the history of strategic thought. Taken together, both modules will equip students with an overview of the academic field of strategic studies. It will also help students acquire the necessary skills and techniques for independent further study of topics and questions in strategic studies. The module structure envisages a mix of historic and conceptual topics. Historic topics include the Second World War, nuclear strategy and limited war. Conceptual topics include strategy and technology, strategy and the law and strategic culture.

Relationship to other modules

Co-requisite(s): You must also take IR5801

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour seminar

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%


Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor S Scheipers
Module teaching staff: Dr Patrick Finnegan
Module coordinator email pf58@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

  • Have an advanced understanding of strategic theory and strategy making
  • Have a nuanced overview of the history of military strategy in the twentieth century
  • Be able to assess critically social science research on this topic
  • Develop their written and oral skills through essays, examinations, and presentations in the tutorial programme
  • Possess the capacity to critique current debates in strategy.