Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL1028: Introduction to Strategic Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

This module will:

Introduce you to the basic concepts in strategic theory.
Enable you to explore the dimensions in which strategy is practiced.
Enable you to examine and analyse how strategy has been practiced throughout different historical periods in order to achieve awareness of the differences between the ages.
Enable you to explore in particular the problems and challenges that resulted from significant changes in the practice of warfare.
Provide you with a foundational basis for further graduate study and post-graduate study in defence and security issues, or for a career in government, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, media, or the security forces.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of strategy and its manifestation across different dimensions of warfare. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical thinkers behind various forms of strategic practice. 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of the practice of warfare throughout the ages. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the challenges posed to strategic thinking and practice at the turn of the 21st century.
Discipline-Specific Skills	5. Examine secondary and primary source material in the field of war, strategic and conflict studies. 6. Demonstrate awareness of the key concepts and debates relating to the study of war and its changing character. 7. Evaluate competing conceptions and theories of warfare.
Personal and Key Skills	8. Study independently and manage time and assessment deadlines effectively. 9. Communicate effectively in writing. 10. Demonstrate analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments. 11. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet, online journal databases and other IT resources for the purposes of tutorial and assessment preparation. 12. Work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

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:

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5	0

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

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activity	16.5	11 x 1.5 hr lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	10	10 x 1 hr tutorials
Guided independent study	40	Tutorial preparation
Guided independent study	83.5	Assessment preparation and completion

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

Combating Terrorism Centre (Westpoint): http://ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/

UK Defence Academy: http://www.da.mod.uk/podcasts

‘MERLIN’ US National Defence University: http://merln.ndu.edu/

US Army War College: http://www.carlisle.army.mil/

International Studies Association web resources: http://www.isanet.org/links/

US Naval Postgraduate School: http://www.nps.edu/

US Homeland Security: http://www.inhomelandsecurity.com/

UK Resilience (Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat):

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience.aspx

Center for Strategic and International Studies: http://csis.org/

Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies: http://www.rusi.org

Chatham House (Royal Institute for International Affairs): http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk

International Institute for Strategic Studies: http://www.iiss.org

Brookings Institute: http://www.brookings.edu/

Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies: http://www.ciss.ca/

Centre for Defence Information: http://www.cdi.org/

CIA Factbook: http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org/

International Crisis Group: http://www.icg.org/home/index.cfm

Rand Corporation: http://www.rand.org/

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