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AHM003: Contemporary Strategic Studies and International Relations

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AHM003: Contemporary Strategic Studies and International Relations

Module code: AHM003

Module provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour; Henley Business School

Credits: 15

Level: 7

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Vladimir Rauta, email: v.rauta@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: T

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE AHEP PROGRAMME

This module is run by SPPE

This module explores contemporary debates in the fields of Strategic Studies and International Relations, placing a particular emphasis on their theoretical and conceptual underpinnings.  Focusing on developments in the academic understanding of war and strategy, it aims to deepen students’ understanding of the contemporary global strategic environment.  Throughout the module students are encouraged to think critically about the use and limitation of evidence and the ways in which this helps to inform structured thinking about strategy and international relations.

The module aims to:

Develop knowledge of debates within Strategic Studies and International Relations about the different types of war – inter and intra state;

Develop understanding of a range of theories and concepts which may inform a critical understanding of the contemporary strategic environment, such as proxy wars and hybrid warfare;

Develop students’ capacity to engage in conceptually and theoretically-informed thinking about war and strategy;

Enable students to articulate a clear understanding of the contemporary strategic environment, the UK’s place within it, and the implications for the Army;

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

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Analyse knowledge of a range of theoretical and conceptual debates in Strategic Studies about war and strategy.

2. Appraise central features of the contemporary global strategic environment using theoretical perspectives on the changing character of war and security.

3. Develop an ability to analyse, evaluate, and explain contemporary strategic developments;

4. Reflect critically on these developments’ possible implications for the Army in the twenty-first century

Module content

The following content is indicative and may be subject to minor changes: 
Session 1. Introduction to the Module 
Session 2. Inter-state Competition (China)  
Session 3. Inter-state War (Russia)  
Session 4. The Politics of Nuclear Weapons 
Session 5. Civil Wars: Internal and External Dynamics in the 21st Century  
Session 6: Cyber Warfare 
Session 7: Sub-threshold Threats 
Session 8: The Future of War and Warfare

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students are required to:

Work through a series of on-line teaching materials, including slides, videos, and practical activities;

Read extensively from the supporting literature;

Reflect on the module content and readings individually and through contributions to learning journals.
Complete summative assignments on various aspects of the module.

Study hours


 Scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Lectures 8
Seminars
Tutorials
Project Supervision
Demonstrations
Practical classes and workshops
Supervised time in studio / workshop
Scheduled revision sessions
Feedback meetings with staff
Fieldwork
External visits
Work-based learning


 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions
Feedback meetings with staff
Other
Other (details)


 Placement and study abroad  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Placement
Study abroad

Please note that the hours listed above are for guidance purposes only.

 Independent study hours  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Independent study hours 142

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Type of assessment Detail of assessment % contribution towards module mark Size of assessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Academic Essay 50 2000 words Submission deadlines are provided in your cohort schedule and can be found on Canvas
Written coursework assignment Research Paper with accompanying video Reflective Component 50 2000 words Submission deadlines are provided in your cohort schedule and can be found on Canvas

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

  • where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Type of reassessment Detail of reassessment % contribution towards module mark Size of reassessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Academic Essay 50 2000 words Date dependent on cohort entry and to be advised by the Programme Administrator Student only needs to resubmit the failed elements of the module.
Written coursework assignment Research Paper with accompanying video Reflective Component 50 2000 words Date dependent on cohort entry and to be advised by the Programme Administrator Student only needs to resubmit the failed elements of the module.

Additional costs

Item Additional information Cost
Computers and devices with a particular specification
Printing and binding
Required textbooks
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear
Specialist equipment or materials
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.

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