PO2COS-Contemporary Strategy

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Kenton White
Email: kenton.white@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is an introduction to the concept of strategy and its relationship with war and politics. It addresses the demands and challenges of strategic and security analysis in the modern period from a theoretical and practical standpoint. After exploring the theoretical foundation of strategy, we will look at some examples. This module will introduce you to a series of contemporary problems and how they stand in the field of modern strategy.  Aside from asking the question “What can military force do for you?”, the module asks, “Why is strategy so difficult?”

The module includes voluntary attendance at the British Army Combat Power Demonstration in the Autumn Term of 2022. This may change subject to restrictions.

Aims:

This module will introduce students to fundamental dimensions of thinking about war and the nexus with strategy in theory and practice. We will address a set of major theoretical and practical strategic problem areas. It is designed to enable students to apply the knowledge and ideas from the modules ‘Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies’ and 'War and Peace Since 1800'.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• recognize and evaluate critically different schools of thought about strategic and security issues


• understand the problems associated with converting strategic theory into practice


• recognize persisting issues in diverse historical contexts


• specify and analyse leading issues of enduring concern to governments and defence professionals


• organize material and articulate arguments effectively in writing, both under timed conditions and in assessed essays.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the students' effectiveness in group situations, with some analytical procedures carried out as part of a team. Students will develop their use of relevant archival and other written and digital resources.  Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources.

Outline content:

The following content is indicative and may be subject to change:

1. What Is Strategy?


2. The Theory and Application of Strategy


3. The Practice of Strategy


4. Deterrence


5. Strategy and Technology


6. Different Types of War


7. Five Geographies of War


8. Civil-Military Relations


9. State and Non-State Strategy


10. Military Operations Other Than War

Global context:
The module addresses the global security environment and security issues specific to individual regions and countries.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A combination of lectures and classes.

In addition to the published contact hours and guided independent study requirements, students will have the option to attend the British Army’s ‘Land Power Demonstration’ in the Autumn term ahead of commencement of the module in the Spring term. The Demonstration is subject to cancellation or alteration dependent on circumstances.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:		170
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	40
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One in-pereson two-hour exam (50%). Examinations take place in the summer term.

The examination for this module will require a narrowly defined time window and is likely to be held in a dedicated exam venue.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write two essays. One of  1,500 words (15%) and one of 2,500 words (25%)  (including footnotes but excluding bibliography).

Students will complete one oral seminar presentation (10%), with prepared handouts and/or PowerPoints on a specific seminar question.

Visiting students will follow the same assessments but only those enrolled for the full year will sit the examination. Those visiting students who are here for Spring term only but wish to gain full credits will also write a further 4000 word essay in place of the examination, to be submitted by the first day of the summer term. 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

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% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.



Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted within the specified resubmission period.



Examination: Re-examination takes place in August of the same year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: Students should have regular access to the following texts, either through the library or otherwise:

Baylis, J., Wirtz, Gray, 2019. Strategy in the contemporary world, 6th Edition,Oxford University Press.

Jordan, D., Kiras, J.D., Lonsdale, D.J., Speller, I., Tuck, C. and Walton, C.D., 2016. Understanding Modern Warfare. Cambridge University Press2)

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Voluntary attendance at the British Army Combat Power Demonstration in the autumn term, 2022, ahead of commencement of the module in the spring term 2023, subject to restrictions and other limitations beyond the control of the University. The cost is currently set at £30 per student, but this may vary at the time of attending.

Last updated: 18 September 2023