FSS:MVZn4004 Strategic and Secur. Studies - Course Information

MVZn4004 Strategic and Security Studies

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).

Teacher(s)

PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Jakub Fučík, Ph.D. (assistant)

Guaranteed by

prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies

Prerequisites

! MVZ403 Strategic and Secur. Studies && !NOW( MVZ403 Strategic and Secur. Studies )
Good orientation in the area of nuclear deterrence, arms control and related issues.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• International Relations (programme FSS, N-MV)

Course objectives

The course focuses on the most important issues of the strategic studies, which were discussed during the Cold War era, and whose importance have been rising especially from the last decade of the 20th century till present. At the end of the course, students should understand main topics and issues discussed in strategic studies. In particular, they should be able to characterize the development, role and aims of strategic studies, to analyze deterrence within its theory/ies, to assess the role of weapons of mass destruction and to explain the processes of arms races and arms control.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students should understand main topics and issues discussed in strategic studies. In particular, they should be able to characterize the development, role and aims of strategic studies, to analyze deterrence within its theory/ies, to assess the role of weapons of mass destruction and to explain the processes of arms races and arms control. Outcomes on the general level include the students' ability to creatively use modern theories of international relations in expert analysis; interpret current issues in world politics based on theory; and nalyse key dimensions of international relations (security, economic, energetic, legal, and societal).

Syllabus

• 1. Introduction
• 2. A War
• 3. Deterrence: theory, strategy, practice
• 4. Deterrence in the second nuclear age
• 5. Weapons of mass destruction
• 6. Reading Week
• 7. Missile Defense
• 8. Strategic Culture
• 9. Arms race and its dynamics
• 10. Strategies of arms control and disarmament

Literature

• Mistry, D.: Complexity of Deterrence among New Nuclear States: The India-Pakistan Case. In Paul, T. V.; Morgan, P. M.; Wirtz (eds): Complex Deterrence: Strategy in the Global Age.The University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London 2009, s. 183-203.
• Croft, S.: Strategies of Arms Control. A History and Typology. Manchester University Press, Manchester & New York 1996, s. 1-66.
• Kapur, S. P.: Deterring Nuclear Terrorists. In Paul, T. V.; Morgan, P. M.; Wirtz (eds): Complex Deterrence: Strategy in the Global Age.The University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London 2009, s. 109-132.
• Harari, Y. N.: Why It's No Longer Possible for Any Country to Win a War. Time, on-line.
• Adler, E.: Complex Deterrence in the Assymetric-Warfare Era. In Paul, T. V.; Morgan, P. M.; Wirtz (eds): Complex Deterrence: Strategy in the Global Age.The University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London 2009, s. 85-108.
• Gross Stein, J.: The Psychology of Assurance: An Emotional Tale. In: Knopf, J. W. (ed.): Security Assurances and Nuclear Nonproliferation. SUP 2012, s. 39-56.
• Mack, A.: Why big nations lose small wars. In Mahnken, T. G.; Maiolo, J. A. (eds.): Strategic Studies: A Reader. Routledge, London, New York 2008, s. 308-325.
• Payne, K. B.: The Great American Gamble. Deterrence Theory and Practice From the Cold War to the Twenty-First Century. National Institute Press, Fairfax, Virginia 2008, s. 335-448.
• Sun Tzu: The Art of War. In Mahnken, T. G.; Maiolo, J. A. (eds.): Strategic Studies: A Reader. Routledge, London, New York 2008, s. 53-81.
• Strategy in the contemporary world : an introduction to strategic studies. Edited by John Baylis - James J. Wirtz - Colin S. Gray. Sixth edition. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2019, xxi, 454. ISBN 9780198807100. info
• Alternative nuclear futures : the role of nuclear weapons in the post-cold war world. Edited by John Baylis - Robert O'Neill. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, xi, 259. ISBN 019829624X. info

Teaching methods

The class takes place mainly in the form of lectures. Seminar papers aims to improve the ability of students to analyze issues of strategic studies and security and to work with primary and secondary sources. Readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures. Regular short tests aim to make students seriously follow assigned readings and continually prepare for the following class.

Assessment methods

There is a oral exam at the end of this course. All course relevant information is available in the interactive syllabus.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Předmět si nezapisují studenti, kteří ho již absolvovali pod kódem MVE403.

Teacher's information

Office hours are by appointment. The teacher can also be contacted via MS Teams or via email.

• Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/MVZn4004