IR5821 The Influence of Seapower on History: 1805-Present

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.

Planned timetable

Tues 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

This module will look at the theory and practice of maritime and naval warfare from the Napoleonic period to the present day. The module will encompass a mix of theory and historical case studies drawn e.g. from the First and Second Word Wars. It will also explore issues of contemporary sea power and naval strategies, e.g. in the context of the Russo-Ukraine war or the potential for maritime conflict in the Pacific, particularly between the United States and the People's Republic of China. The overall objective of the module is that the students should have an understanding of the principles of maritime strategy and maritime warfare placed within the larger context of warfare over the last 250 years.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 seminar hours (x 11 weeks) 2 optional office 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

275

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 the theory and practice of maritime strategy and operations.
  • Have an understanding of how technological and political change has affected maritime strategy from the 19th century to the 21st.
  • Develop their written and oral skills through essays and presentations in the tutorial programme.
  • Possess the capacity to critique current debates in maritime strategy.