PIM65-Strategic Studies

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Jacob Thomas-Llewellyn
Email: jacob.thomas-llewellyn@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is a graduate-level introduction to Strategic Studies, the study of the relationship between political aims and organized violence, covering both the tradition and current debates. With an eye to the latest developments in contemporary warfare, it asks fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of war. Is war purely a means to an end, or does it have its own nature? Is there such a thing as a ‘just war’? How does warfare change historically? Is counterinsurgency a strategy or an ideology? What, if anything, do technologies such as airplanes, nuclear weapons, and cyberweapons really change about war? Is grand strategy possible, and does it offer anything to a post-Brexit UK?

Aims:

In the first part of the module, students will engage with and have the opportunity to critique the tradition of Strategic Studies, including authors such as Sun Tzu, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Carl von Clausewitz. The second part covers more contemporary debates, for example about counterinsurgency, technology, and grand strategy.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Intended learning outcomes:

1. To introduce students to the main concepts and theories associated with Strategic Studies


2. To enable students to use Strategic Studies to approach public debates on contemporary forms of warfare


3. To enable students to develop their own independent and critical stance on these issues


4. To strengthen students' critical analytical skills through engagement with a diverseliterature, participation in seminar discussions, and the writing of essays.


5. To provide the analytic and intellectual basis for further academic research in Strategic Studies or for careers which require a sound understanding of the armed forces and their role in today’s world

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To achieve mastery of the key concepts and theories of Strategic Studies


• To achieve familiarity with major works of strategic theory


• To develop a coherent critical approach to strategic questions, taking due account of political, ethical, and other relevant factors


• To be able to tackle new strategic topics, using the intellectual material mastered, and to formulate critical judgments on them

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Ten two-hour seminars in the Autumn, one presentation session in week 5 of the Autumn Term scheduled for three hours (actual duration will depend on student numbers), one theoretical essay, and one policy paper.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	23
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30
Wider reading (directed)	30
Peer assisted learning	10
Advance preparation for classes	10
Preparation for presentations	5
Preparation for seminars	12
Carry-out research project	30
Essay preparation	30
Reflection	20
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Project output other than dissertation	40
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Strategic Theory essay (2,000 words, including footnotes and references but excluding bibliography) – 50%


2. Presentation on Policy Paper Topic (10 minutes) – 10%


3. Policy Paper (2,000words, including footnotes and references but excluding bibliography) – 40%

Formative assessment methods:

Students following the MA Strategic Studies Programme will complete a 750-word formative essay which will receive feedback but will not count towards the final mark.

Students giving presentations will receive feedback from the module convenor and via seminar discussion. The seminar discussions provide important opportunities for students to test their views and receive tutor and peer feedback. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the module convenor’s office hours to request further one-to-one feedback on their presentations, seminar contributions, and essay plans.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Where necessary resit assessments will be provided for students who have not achieved sufficiently high marks to pass.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 5 September 2023