MVZn4004 Strategic and Security Studies

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
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
Timetable
Thu 20. 2. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 27. 2. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 5. 3. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 12. 3. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 26. 3. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 2. 4. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 9. 4. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 23. 4. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 30. 4. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 7. 5. 10:00–11:40 P21, Thu 14. 5. 10:00–11:40 P21
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MVZ403 Strategic and Secur. Studies && !NOW( MVZ403 Strategic and Secur. Studies )
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 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. Evolution of strategic studies, its roles and goals, the definition of “strategy”
  • 3. The war
  • 4. Theoretic a practical aspect of land warfare, sea and air powers
  • 5. The theory of deterrence
  • 6. Deterrence in the second nuclear age
  • 7.-8. Reading week
  • 9. In-term test; weapons of mass destruction
  • 10. The spread of arms technologies and nuclear proliferation
  • 11. National missile defense systems and their impact on strategic stability
  • 12. Arms race and its dynamics
  • 13. Strategies of arms control and disarmament
Literature
  • Aron, R.: The Evolution of Modern Strategic Thought. Adelphi Papers N. 54, February 1969, s. 1-17.
  • Gray, C. S.: Comparative Strategic Culture. Parameters, Winter 1984, s. 26-33.
  • BAYLIS, John. Strategy in the contemporary world : an introduction to strategic studies. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002, xiii, 357. ISBN 0-19-878273-X. 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 s. ISBN 0-19-829624-X. info
  • Payne, K. B.; Stanley, W.: Missile Proliferation: Threat and U. S. Response. Comparative Strategy 2/1997, s. 133-155.
  • Ogilvie-White, T.: Is There a Theory of Nuclear Proliferation? An Analysis of the Contemporary Debate. The Nonproliferation Review, Fall 1996, s. 43-60.
  • Gray, C. S.: European Perspectives on U. S. Ballistic Missile Defense. Comparative Strategy 4/2002, s. 279-310.
  • 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
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.
Assessment methods
There is a written exam at the end of this course. As a prerequisite, students have to submit a seminar paper (10 points) in the range of 8 to 10 pages based on certain theme within the deadline and to pass an in-term test (10 points), with the result of 15 points for both duties at least. The seminar paper must be submitted into the IS system. The final exam will contain 8 questions focusing on students’ knowledge of lectures and the obligatory bibliography as well. As it is possible to receive 5 points for 1 question, the maximum total point profit for the final exam is of 40 points. Final evaluation encompasses points obtained during whole semester leading to following results: 57-60 points – A, 53-56 points – B, 48-52 points – C, 44-47 points – D, 41-43 points E, 40 points or less – F.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Předmět si nezapisují studenti, kteří ho již absolvovali pod kódem MVE403.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2020/MVZn4004