IR4564 Strategic Studies

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

Mon 11am

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof S Scheipers

Prof S Scheipers
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof Sibylle Scheipers

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The aim of this course is to discuss the major shifts and developments in modern strategic thought and practice, as well as some of the powerful factors that determined and are still determining military possibilities in the modern era. We will examine historical case studies and the reasons for changes in the use and application of military force along two axes: chronological and thematic. Starting from the Second World War, we will analyse the evolution of strategic thought and practice in response to political, technological, cultural and other developments. The combination of historical analysis and thematic issues will allow students to develop a more comprehensive picture of the evolution of strategy as well as a better and more critical understanding of major strategic trends and of the strategic challenges of recent history.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 hour lectures (x 11 weeks) and 1 tutorial (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

21

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

279

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Have an advanced understanding of strategic theory and strategy making.
  • Have a nuanced overview of the history of military strategy in the twentieth century.
  • Be able to assess critically social science research on this topic.
  • Develop their written and oral skills through essays, examinations, and presentations in the tutorial program.
  • Possess the capacity to critique current debates in strategy.