PIM95-Contemporary Strategic Studies and International Relations

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: v.rauta@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module explores a range of topics designed to build on and further develop students’ existing understanding of contemporary debates in Strategic Studies and International Relations.

Aims:

• Develop knowledge of debates within Strategic Studies and International Relations about the changing nature and/or character of war and security.


• Develop understanding of a range of theories and concepts which may inform a critical understanding of the contemporary security environment.


• Develop students’ capacity to engage in conceptually and theoretically-informed thinking about war, security, and strategy.


• Enable students to articulate a clear understanding of the contemporary security environment, the UK’s place within it.


• Cultivate the critical skills, awareness, and understanding necessary to recognize, evaluate, and explain current and future developments in global security, war, and strategy.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Intended learning outcomes:

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

• knowledge of a range of theoretical and conceptual debates in Strategic Studies and International Relations and how they inform understanding of war, security, and strategy;


• understanding of central features of the contemporary global security environment;


• appreciation of a range of perspectives on the changing nature and/or character of war and security;


• an ability to analyse, evaluate, and explain contemporary strategic developments.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The module also aims to:

• develop students’ ability to think critically about the uses and limitations of evidence in relation to war, security, and strategy;


• develo p an appreciation of different ways of approaching Strategic Studies and International Relations, and of their strengths and weaknesses;


• develop the knowledge and skills required to undertake an extended research project related to war, security, and strategy in the broader context of the BSc pathway.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The module explores a range of topics designed to build on and further develop students’ existing understanding of contemporary debates in Strategic Studies and International Relations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module takes a ‘blended learning’ approach, meaning that the weekly lectures are delivered through videos and online activities via blackboard.

Students are required to:

• work through a series of on-line teaching materials amounting to 10 hours, including slides, videos, and practical activities;


• read extensively from the supporting literature;


• reflect on the module content and readings individually and through contributions;


• complete a variety of formative on-line tests and exercises that assess knowledge of the module material;


• complete summative assignments on various aspects of the module.