Module description
This module focuses on nuclear war and the strategic, ethical and policy challenges posed by it. We will grapple with these complex, multidimensional challenges using a variety of perspectives, using tools drawn from War Studies and International Relations. You will be encouraged to study these issues using a theoretical, empirical and policy-focused approach.
We begin with an overview of the module and an introduction to nuclear weapon. Next, we examine the consequences of the development, testing and use of nuclear weapons. We then look at arguments about how nuclear weapons have or can be used for deterrence and compellence, and how those uses may relate to the likelihood of nuclear use, including an examination of the impact of artificial intelligence.We then examine efforts to control and eliminate nuclear weapons. In next part of the course we look at various pathways to nuclear war—at various scenarios, historical developments, current arguments, and the policy questions raised by these pathways. We end by looking again at the prevention of nuclear war,as well as at the experience of living under the nuclear shadow.
Assessment details
| Essay |
1500 words |
50% |
| Examination |
1.5 hours |
50% |
Educational aims & objectives
- To introduce the strategic, political, ethical and policy challenges posed by the existence of nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear war;
- To identify and apply key concepts, theories and perspectives to those challenges and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses;
- To understand and critically assess whether, and if so how, the challenges posed by nuclear weapons have changed over time, and to identify and analyse the key questions, dilemmas and challenges posed by nuclear weapons in today’s world.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Develop your ability to articulate original arguments about the challenges posed by nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear war, drawing on relevant information and exercising critical judgement in the conclusions reached;
- Increase your knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, theories and perspectives relevant to an understanding of the challenges posed by nuclear weapons;
- Develop and exercise your critical judgement in identifying strengths and weaknesses of competing understandings of nuclear weapons and the challenges they pose;
- Critically assess and develop persuasive arguments for policy responses to these challenges.