MVZ106 Security in the Nuclear Age

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2009
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Petr Vilímek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lukáš Hoder (assistant)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Wed 16:00–17:40 P51 Posluchárna V. Čermáka
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MVE105 Security Policy
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
Course objectives
The goal of the course MVZ106 Security in the Nuclear Age is to acquaint students with the evolution of security policy in the second half of the 20th century, especially with the regard to the era of the Cold War and its end. During the course, students will devote their attention to the evaluation of the transformation of international security environment in the post-Cold War era and of the most serious security threats and issues of the Second nuclear age (e.g. proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and missile technologies, a role of nuclear weapons, rogue states). At the end of this course, students should be able to analyse the development of the international security environment in the Cold War; to show basic knowledge of the post-Cold War security architecture and to demonstrate their ability to use historical documents and primary sources.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Basic concepts and terminology
  • 3. Security issues in the 1940s
  • 4. Massive Retaliation, American military superiority and a Soviet response
  • 5. From the second era of American superiority toward strategic parity
  • 6. New members of the nuclear club I (United Kingdom, France)
  • 7. New members of the nuclear club II (China and nuclear proliferation in Asia)
  • 8. Evolution of security issues in the 1970s
  • 9. Soviet ballistic missile defense systems
  • 10. American ballistic missile defense systems
  • 11. Evolution of security issues in the 1980s
  • 12. Development of global security environment in the post-Cold War era I
  • 13. Development of global security environment in the post-Cold War era II
Literature
  • GOLDSTEIN, Avery. Deterrence and security in the 21st century : China, Britain, France, and the enduring legacy of the nuclear revolution. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2000, 356 s. ISBN 0804746869. info
  • KUCHYŇKOVÁ, Petra and Petr SUCHÝ. Vývoj a výsledky procesů kontroly zbrojení a odzbrojování. Marnost nad marnost? (Evolution and Results of Arms Control and Disarmament.). 1st ed. Brno: IIPS, 2005, 235 pp. Studie. ISBN 80-210-3881-0. info
  • SUCHÝ, Petr. Americká protiraketová obrana a ruský pocit nejistoty (The U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense and Russian Insecurity). Obrana a strategie. Univerzita obrany, Brno: Ústav strategických studií, 2007, vol. 7, No 1, p. 29-44. ISSN 1214-6463. URL info
  • SUCHÝ, Petr. Reagan a říše zla. Vývoj americké zahraniční politiky a vztahů mezi supervelmocemi v letech 1981 - 1989. (Reagan and the Evil Empire. The Evolution of U. S. Foreign Policy and Superpower Relations between 1981 - 1989.). 1st ed. Brno: CDK, 2004, 283 pp. Politologická řada, svazek 16. ISBN 80-7325-046-2. info
  • Voas, J.: Soviet Attitudes towards Ballistic Missile Defence and the ABM Treaty. IISS 1990
  • NSC-68 (kap. 5, 6, 7, 8) (http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nsc-hst/nsc-68.htm)
Teaching methods
Lectures involve theoretical background of particular topics. Seminar papers aim to improve the ability of students to analyze issues of security in the nuclear age as well as the ability to use historical documents and primary sources and to work with them properly.
Assessment methods
The course is concluded with a written exam. Overall assessment is composed of the final written examination (40 points), midterm written examination (10 points) and seminar paper (10 points). To successfully complete the course, students have to achieve at least 41 points.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2009, recent)
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