Grand strategy is the collection of political and military means and ends with which a state attempts to achieve its security. This module is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of grand strategy, from its sources and definitions to the various grand strategic debates taking place today. No previous experience of grand strategy is required for this module. The following questions will guide the module: What is grand strategy and what are its critical aspects? What are the sources of a state's grand strategy? How may the quality of a given grand strategy be judged? What consequences seem to follow from grand strategies of different types? Is grand strategy a useful concept? What are the politics of grand strategy, domestic and international?
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Identify and critically evaluate a range of academic literatures related to the study of grand strategy.
Demonstrate an understanding of the key debates in contemporary US grand strategy.
Articulate and critically evaluate the sources of grand strategy in a comparative context.
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of theoretical approaches to international relations.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment:
1 – 1,000-word essay outline and plan (25%) 2 – 2,500-word essay (75%)
