Grand Strategy
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| POLI4139 | Politics and International Relations | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- POLI4139
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
Grand Strategy examines how states have sought to integrate political, economic, and military goals to preserve their long-term interests. The module analyses a variety of strategies to understand what drives decision making at the highest levels of government in times of war and peace. It draws on scholarship from the fields of international relations, diplomatic history, and strategic studies to provide students with a more nuanced understanding of global politics.
Target Students
Available to PGT and Year 4 MSci International Relations and Global Issues students in the School of Politics and International Relations. Also available to students on the MRes Politics and International Relations plan, and incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 80% Coursework: 3,200-word essay
- 20% Article review: 800-word article review
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to enable students to: (1) think about the role, significance and limitations of grand strategy; (2) understand some of the core ideas and major events concerning the study of grand strategy; (3) develop the ability to relate key concepts to empirical evidence.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
• Demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of grand strategy.
• Relate key concepts concerning grand strategy to a range of empirical evidence.
• Evaluate different and sometime competing interpretations of grand strategy.
• Critically examine grand strategies in historical and theoretical situations
Intellectual and transferable skills
• Appreciate the complexities that underpin the study of grand strategy.
• Identify, investigate, analyse, and synthesise relevant data.
• Analyse and evaluate theoretical and empirical date.
• Seek and use constructive feedback.
• Evaluate competing explanations.
• Exercise critical judgement.
• Apply theory to policy.
• Develop problem solving skills in terms of data and analysis.
• Use a range of sources to conduct independent research.
• Develop self-organisation and time management skills.
• Communicate effectively in writing and speech.
Digital competencies:
• Gain experience using the internet as a research tool.
• Build confidence organizing and presenting data.