IR5800 Modern War and Strategy

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

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

Compulsory for Strategic Studies Postgraduate programme

Planned timetable

Thurs 2-4pm

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

Module coordinator

Dr L F Middup

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

Module Staff

Dr L Middup

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

Module description

The module provides students with essential knowledge of strategy and military history. It is taught in tandem with the second core module of the MLitt in Strategic Studies, which focuses on strategic thought. Taken together, both modules equip students with an overview of the academic field of Strategic Studies. Both also help students to acquire the necessary skills and techniques for independent further study of topics and questions in Strategic Studies. This module proceeds from historical to modern to contemporary war and strategy. It provides a mix of historical and conceptual topics, with historical cases being used to illustrate concepts such as mechanisation or liberation. Cases range from the French Revolutionary Wars to wars of decolonisation and recent postcolonial wars. The topics focus on issues that have helped to shape the contemporary world. Overall, the module investigates what past and present wars tell us about the utility of force in the modern world.

Relationship to other modules

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE IR5801

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination =100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar

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 programme
  • Possess the capacity to critique current debates in strategy.