IR5073 The Strategic Debate in Germany in Historical Perspective

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 11

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

Available to students studying on campus MLitt programmes in the School of International Relations.

Planned timetable

Monday 10am to 12pm

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

Module coordinator

Prof U S Schlie

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

Module Staff

Prof Ulrich Schlie

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

Module description

In the disruptive world of today there is little on which we can depend in shaping policy. In Germany, the search for stability has been a constant theme in politicians’ statements. Even the European-American partnership is questioned. As a central power among European nations and within the European Union, Germany is in search of a new defence strategy. The country was long described as one "without a foreign policy“ (Henry Kissinger 1965). National security policies lack unity and coherence and are mainly stated in terms of compromises and generalities. Delay and slowness characterise the policy-making process. The deficiencies are sometimes blamed primarily on coalition government and lack of leadership. This module looks at principal decisions and decisive moments of German foreign and security policy from a historical perspective. It identifies the main debates and explains current failings against the background of the legacy of the past and institutional shortcomings.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 50%, Examination = 50%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

I seminar (2 hours) x 11 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

22

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

Guided independent study hours

288

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • analyse and critique contemporary debates in Germany about foreign, defence and security policy
  • identify and understand the ways in which German foreign and security policies are shaped by history
  • critically analyse the relationship between state, society and the instruments of German foreign and security policy against the background of the current 'Zeitenwende'
  • weigh and discuss foreign policy options
  • apply key professional skills such as team work, time management, and effective written and oral communication to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the subject at hand
  • identify and apply analytical and research skills relevant to the foreign and security policy making process