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INR2003 Strategic Studies

Semester 1, 2023 Toowoomba On-campus
Units : 1
School or Department : School of Humanities & Communication
Grading basis : Graded
Course fee schedule : /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules

Staffing

Course Coordinator:

Overview

An informed knowledge of strategic studies is an important component of international relations in the contemporary world. Terrorism, peacekeeping, weapons of mass destruction, and international law all play a part in the relationships that shape contemporary warfare. The competing interests of state and nonstate actors influence the lives of the global population, and this course provides vital knowledge about the security issues that shape war and peace today.

Rapidly evolving responses to terrorism, including military incursions and peacekeeping interventions, have increased the need for International Relations students to develop knowledge of warfare and strategic issues. In this course, you will develop in-depth perspectives on strategic studies in the contemporary world including land, air and sea power, and their application to theories. In addition to students undertaking the International Relations major, this course is also relevant to History and Journalism students.

Course learning outcomes

On completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. describe and apply the essential terminology and concepts of strategic studies and the use of force in the contemporary world;
  2. discuss the main events, places and people responsible for the development of theories of warfare;
  3. examine the evolution of joint warfare, twentieth-century theories of warfare, and contemporary issues of grand strategy;
  4. assess the application of strategic studies to selected case studies;
  5. apply appropriate academic, professional and cultural literacy skills, to ethically research and produce discipline-relevant work for a variety of analytical contexts.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Introduction to strategic and security studies, reading security studies and the history of war 10.00
2. International law, ‘just’ war and the use of force
10.00
3. Causes of war and conditions of peace 10.00
4. Land warfare, sea power and air power 10.00
5. Deterrence, arms control and disarmament 10.00
6. Terrorism, counterinsurgency and irregular warfare 10.00
7. Revolution in military affairs: technology and war 10.00
8. Weapons of mass destruction 10.00
9. The United Nations, humanitarian intervention and peace operations 10.00
10. Non-traditional security and the future of strategic studies 10.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Baylis, J, Wirtz, J, & Gray, C 2018, Strategy in the contemporary world: an introduction to strategic studies, 6th edn, Oxford ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Press, Oxford.

Student workload expectations

To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.

Assessment details

Approach Type Description Group
Assessment
Weighting (%) Course learning outcomes
Assignments Written Essay 1 No 20 1,2,3,4,5
Assignments Written Essay 2 No 40 1,2,3,4,5
Examinations Non-invigilated Time limited online examinatn No 40 1,2,3,4,5
Date printed 9 February 2024