Contemporary Strategic Studies
- Social Sciences
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 147 pages
- 20 units
This course explores contemporary strategic studies and global security issues. It examines modern warfare, strategic concepts, and the impact of weapons technology on 21st-century warfare. The course also delves into the causes and evolution of terrorism, reviewing global counter-terrorism efforts. Students will analyze the complexities of contemporary strategy and security challenges, and evaluate international responses to these issues, while also understanding the relationship between strategy, policy and military aims.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 65 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of INR441, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1: MODERN DEVELOPMENTS IN WEAPONS TECHNOLOGYPage 67
- UNIT 2: IMPACTS OF WEAPON TECHNOLOGY ON THE 21ST CENTURY WARFAREPage 71
- UNIT 3: THE NATURE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND THEIR EFFECTSPage 79
- UNIT 4: GLOBAL EFFORTS TO CONTROL WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTIONPage 87
- UNIT 5: THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXPage 97
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
INR441 · UNIT 1 THE NATURE OF CONTEMPORARY STRATEGY
There seems to be an overbearing influence of military might in the definition of strategy and this popular impression is also cemented by the widely acclaimed Clausewitz’s definition of strategy as the ‘employment of battle as the means towards the attainment of the object of war’ (Von Clausewitz, 1908:165).
What you should be able to do
- Explain complexities of contemporary strategy.
- Discuss the nature and causes of modern warfare.
- Describe the revolution in military technology.
- Examine terrorism and its impact on global security.
- Provide a justification for the global war against terrorism.
What it prepares you for
- Diplomat
- Intelligence Analyst
- Security Consultant
- Policy Advisor
- International Relations Specialist
- Government
- Defense
- Security
- International Organizations
- Consulting
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Modern Developments in Weapons Technology and Strategy
Unit 2: Impacts of Weapon Technology on the 21st Century Warfare
Understanding the complex interplay between technological advancements and strategic doctrines requires a strong grasp of military history and strategic theory.
- Module 4: Terrorism and Global Security
Unit 1: What is Terrorism
The lack of a universally accepted definition and the highly politicized nature of the topic make it challenging to analyze terrorism objectively.
- Module 4: Terrorism and Global Security
Unit 4: Terrorist Network Organizations
Analyzing the complex organizational structures, funding mechanisms, and operational tactics of diverse terrorist groups requires interdisciplinary knowledge.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 65 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Contemporary Strategy
Unit 1: The Nature of Contemporary Strategy · 5 hours
Define strategy and its relationship to security concepts.. Explore the relationship between strategy and war.. Analyze the theoretical perspectives shaping contemporary strategy..
- Week 2Module 1: Contemporary Strategy
Unit 2: Strategy, Military Aim and National Interest · 5 hours
Examine the interconnectedness between national interest and strategy.. Recognize the importance of policy goals over strategy.. Identify instances where strategy can pursue policy goals..
- Week 3Module 1: Contemporary Strategy
Unit 3: Contemporary Strategic Concepts · 5 hours
Identify basic concepts underpinning contemporary strategy.. Explain the relationship between war and strategic concepts.. Evaluate the relevance of strategic concepts in the 21st Century..
- Week 4Module 1: Contemporary Strategy
Unit 4: Military Power · 5 hours
Define military power and its role in statecraft.. Analyze arguments for and against military power.. Discuss the peaceful applications of military power..
- Week 5Module 1: Contemporary Strategy
Unit 5: Strategic Configuration in the Post Cold War Order · 5 hours
Describe the strategic configuration of the post-Cold War order.. Compare post-Cold War configuration with the Cold War order.. Identify challenges of the post-Cold War order..
- Week 6Module 2: Modern Warfare
Unit 1: What is War? · 5 hours
Define war and its changing context in the 21st Century.. Differentiate war from collective violence.. Analyze the changing nature of armed conflicts..
- Week 7Module 2: Modern Warfare
Unit 2: Causes of War · 5 hours
Explain causes of war from individual, national, and systemic levels.. Analyze the psychological assertion that aggression provokes violence.. Interlink armed conflicts with the global system..
- Week 8Module 2: Modern Warfare
Unit 3: Types of War · 5 hours
Identify categories of war: limited and total war.. Explain circumstances for different wars.. List conditions for successful prosecution of each war category..
- Week 9Module 2: Modern Warfare
Unit 4: The Laws of War · 5 hours
Identify legal provisions for the Nigeria armed forces.. Recognize international treaties regulating warfare.. Evaluate the relevance of the Just War Theory..
- Week 10Module 2: Modern Warfare
Unit 5: War as Policy Instrument in Contemporary Strategy · 5 hours
Provide examples of military power deployment for policy goals.. Identify circumstances for using military power.. Evaluate military power's impact on foreign policy goals..
- Week 11Module 3: Modern Developments in Weapons Technology and Strategy
Unit 1: Modern Developments in Weapons Technology · 5 hours
Explain the link between technology and military technology.. Identify components of the revolution in military technology.. Identify new developments in weapons technology..
- Week 12Module 3: Modern Developments in Weapons Technology and Strategy
Unit 2: Impacts of Weapon Technology on the 21st Century Warfare · 5 hours
Discuss the impact of weapons technology on strategic doctrine.. Analyze the impact of technological revolution on the battlefield.. Evaluate the relevance of military power in contemporary politics..
- Week 13Module 3: Modern Developments in Weapons Technology and Strategy
Unit 3: The Nature of Nuclear Weapons and their Effects · 5 hours
Describe the nature and characters of nuclear weapons.. Discuss issues relating to proliferation of nuclear weapons and the attendant dangers.. Examine the relevance of military power in contemporary international politics..
Preparing for the exam
- Review key definitions of strategy, war, and terrorism from Units 1-3.
- Create concept maps linking military power, national interest, and policy objectives (Module 1).
- Focus on case studies of military interventions and their outcomes (Module 2).
- Understand the impact of nuclear weapons and WMD control efforts (Module 3).
- Analyze the causes and evolution of terrorism, focusing on contemporary trends (Module 4).
- Practice essay questions on the global war on terrorism and its effectiveness (Units 4-5).
Questions students ask about this course
What is INR441 about?
This course explores contemporary strategic studies and global security issues. It examines modern warfare, strategic concepts, and the impact of weapons technology on 21st-century warfare. The course also delves into the causes and evolution of terrorism, reviewing global counter-terrorism efforts. Students will analyze the complexities of contemporary strategy and security challenges, and evaluate international responses to these issues, while also understanding the relationship between strategy, policy and military aims.
How many units does INR441 have?
INR441, Contemporary Strategic Studies, has 20 units across 4 modules, over 147 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is INR441?
INR441 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.
Is INR441 hard?
INR441 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does INR441 take to study?
About 65 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is INR441 assessed?
INR441 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with INR441?
Diplomat, Intelligence Analyst, Security Consultant, Policy Advisor and International Relations Specialist.