Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2082: Changing Character of Warfare

This module descriptor refers to the 2024/5 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • What is War?
  • The Causes of Warfare
  • Interstate versus Intrastate Warfare
  • The Military and the Nature of Civil-Military Relations
  • Change and Continuity in Warfare
  • The ‘Revolution in Military Affairs’ and ‘Transformation’ Agendas
  • Outsourcing War: the Rise of Private Military Companies
  • Asymmetric Challenges I: Terrorism
  • Asymmetric Challenges II: Insurgency and Guerrilla Warfare
  • Military Adaptation and Innovation

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
26.5123.50

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activity16.511 x 1.5 hour lectures
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activity1010 x 1 hour tutorials
Guided Independent Study40Tutorial preparation
Guided Independent Study83.5Assessment preparation and completion

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Other Learning Resources

Other materials and resources will be identified by the module convener in lectures and via ELE and by tutors in tutorials.