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International Affairs
MA / PG Dip / PG Cert

MODULE GUIDE
Foundation Modules
International Security Studies: Introduction to Strategy Global &
The Development of the Discipline Regional Security

Since the end of the Cold War, This module introduces students to these Security means different things whether
International Defence and Security core themes of Strategic Studies: viewed from a global perspective or
Studies has emerged as an essential field 1. Pedagogical functions of strategic theory; from different regions of the world. In
of scholarly enquiry. In the wake of the 2. Strategy in theory and practice; global terms, theoretical approaches
Second World War, and during the Cold 3. The strategy-policy relationship; suggest security can be achieved through
War itself, security was the product of 4. The paradoxical nature of strategy. cooperation or competition, and these
the state and its military apparatus, as the theories help explain the successes and
These are explored through engagement
world balanced precariously on the brink failures of the Cold War and post-Cold
with modern scholars such as Gat,
of irreparable conflict. Since the Cold War world. But security in Europe and
Handel, Luttwak, and Gray. Students
War, the state is no longer the focal point America is a very different concept to
will be encouraged to apply their
in the quest for security. This means security in Africa or South Asia or the
accumulated understanding of strategy
different things to different people. As Middle East. Different factors impact the
to consider the problems of framing
security becomes a heavily debated way decision-makers and opinion-formers
strategy in the context of current crises
and amorphous concept, defence has think about their region and its relationship
(e.g. DPRK, Taiwan, Syria).
emerged as the military contribution with the rest of the world. This module
to the provision of security. This wide- explores this dynamic by assessing security
ranging module introduces the main issues on a global and regional scale. In
concepts of International Defence and doing so, it touches in many of the themes
Security, highlighting the historical that will be explored in more depth as the
evolution of the field, the broadening programme progresses.
definition of security, and the current
state of security studies and strategic and
defence studies.
Foundation Modules
Conflict in International History

War, conflict and competition are Conflict now takes place within states as
amongst the oldest features of human often as between them, and the historical
civilisation. Their study has been central antecedents of this trend, and of ways of
to theorising about the nature and defusing civil wars and insurgencies will
conduct of war for centuries. History form the subject of week four.
provides a vital sense of continuity to Finally, two thematic weeks will chart the
our understanding of contemporary relationship between war and society. The
conflict. Such a sense is essential not first will question whether war is a catalyst
because the character of war is enduring, for social change and new political ideas.
but precisely because it is in flux: one The concluding week will examine how
cannot recognise change without being we remember and memorialise war and
able to discern those continuities that conflict, and the effects this can have upon
remain. This module will explore the our understanding of it. This will provide a
history of conflict in wide chronological, holistic overview of war in history and an
geographic, and conceptual scope. It important backdrop to the remainder of the
will examine the role of war in human course.
history, questioning whether conflict acts
as an agent of change and development.
Sequential weeks will then chart changes
to the character of war during its phase
of ‘industrialisation’ in the nineteenth
century, and the age of ‘total’ war in the
twentieth.
Skills Modules Optional Modules
Introduction to Critical Critical Engagement International Relations Seapower &
Research Methodologies with Literature National Strategy

This introductory research skills module This module will develop the student’s Without theory, we would be hopelessly This interesting and thought-provoking
provides the student with the skills ability to engage with academic literature. lost as scholars and students of world module examines the role the sea played
needed to conduct research, study It will aim to progress from identifying and politics. Theory enables us to simplify, in British diplomacy, security and politics
and write in the field of international understanding relevant pieces of literature study and thereby comprehend the between the Napoleonic and First World
defence and security. It is tailored to to being able to critically assess pieces of immensely complex world we inhabit. Wars. Seapower & National Strategy
students who have been absent from academic writing on their merits and to International Relations (IR) as a discipline delves into Britain’s situation as an island
academia since their first degree, and adjudicate between them. This will is preoccupied with questions of theory. nation, separated from mainland Europe,
also offers guidance to students new to culminate in the production of a literature But theory also matters beyond the ivory and how this played a key role in her
the discipline. The module is structured review associated with the student’s towers of the academy. Policymakers are development during the nineteenth
around selecting a dissertation topic, dissertation. Within this scope, the module commonly believed to be put off by theory; century. The effective exploitation of
which at this stage can remain relatively will equip students to differentiate between certainly, there is irony in the truth that sea power enabled her to develop and
broad in scope, but will enable the different types of written literature on their those who practise international relations sustain a worldwide empire and trading
allocation of a dissertation supervisor merits – identifying the rigour behind work often pay little attention to IR scholarship. network, to insulate herself from the
who will be able to offer bespoke and thus its authority as a source for an But research on the psychology of decision- ravages of Continental wars and to foster
support throughout the duration of the academic essay. This will begin the process making shows that even political leaders, scientific and technological innovation.
programme. As such it is the first stage of of questioning the content of scholarly military chiefs and policymakers have This module will explore the relationship
a three-module portfolio dissertation. writings and of situating them in relation to a vague, if only intuitive, theoretical between sea power and national strategy
each other and to the students own ideas understanding of how the world hangs during this period, focusing on the far-
and arguments. The module will explore together and works. Without such an reaching impact maritime affairs had
these themes through the use of a series understanding, they would be unable to see on international relations, political and
of case studies. Drawn from the range of clearly the policy problems and solutions economic development and the conduct
disciplines in which the students will be with which they deal. In this module, we of the First World War.
engaging with during their MAs – history, will examine three key IR theories as well
strategic studies, political science, and as critical approaches. In each week, we
international relations – these examples will examine the development of the theory
will be used to explore the themes outlined and its different strands before applying
above and to challenge the students with these to case studies. We will use the
differing bodies of academic writing. concept of security as a key focus through
each week.
Optional Modules
Proxy Wars & Hybrid Wars Women, Peace & Security International Political Economy

War is conventionally thought of as an Britain is a signatory to several UN Security This module is aimed at providing a International Trade, Development,
event that takes place between states, Council Resolutions (UNSCR) aimed at theoretical and conceptual introduction to Financial Institutions, Multinational
such as the First and Second World the protection of women in armed conflict the IR sub-field of International Political Corporations, and Energy, and how
Wars, but the most common wars are and application of a gender perspective Economy (IPE), as well as various case each of these dynamics interact with
smaller in scale and offer different and in peace support, peacekeeping and post- study applications. Initially, this includes and determine the development of the
sometimes less familiar challenges. This conflict reconstruction operations. As a an introduction to the key IPE theories, international political system. In order
module explores the use of proxy wars member of NATO, it is also party to the namely: Mercantilism (this is the equivalent to flesh out the details concerned with
in international relations to achieve alliance’s commitment to implementing the of the International Relations Realism these IPE concepts, this module includes
objectives. It also introduces the concept same UNSCR in NATO-led operations. theory), Anti-Mercantilism (Liberalism), several case studies, which will be used
of hybrid wars (the form most proxy In 2012, NATO updated its original 2009 and Marxism, as well as other IPE theories. to provide ‘real world’ applications and
wars usually take) which is a mixture Bi-Strategic Command Directive on the Then, this module introduced the key examples. The aim of this exercise is to
of conventional and irregular activity. implementation of UNSCR 1325 and related factors concerned with IPE and their contribute to the students’ understanding
Ranging from terrorism and counter- resolutions on women, peace and security. continued impact and influence on the of the discipline, as well as expose them
terrorism, counterinsurgency and the Gender is defined by the socially constructed international political system. Specifically, to the specific detail and significance of
use of cyber warfare, through to full roles of females and males. It is dependent on these factors are Imperialism, Post- the case studies.
conventional state on state warfare, the the cultural context and defines relationships Colonialism, the East-West Divide, and
module also links international relations and positions of males and females within the North-South Divide. Penultimately,
study with historical research by offering social structures. Gender inclusiveness this module assesses a brief history of the
case studies which range from the Cold enhances operational effectiveness. A major International Monetary System (IMS),
War to contemporary conflicts, such as aspect of these strategic developments is the in order to explain how this IPE element
those in Ukraine and Iraq in 2017. need to address and prevent sexual violence has evolved over time and the guise in
in armed conflict. Therefore, modern armed which it impacts the international political
forces and partner organisations must not system. Finally, this module introduces
tolerate, facilitate or commit acts of sexual and examines the five IPE dynamics:
violence, but also that they themselves have
to practice effective gender integration. This
module investigates gendered perspectives
on security, and how this can impact on the
successful implementation of stabilisation
initiatives.
Strategic Studies Pathway

Deterrence Sanctions, Strategy & Statecraft

States use their military power to This module will explore the intersection
deter potential adversaries from the between statecraft and strategy, with a
use of violence. This module analyses particular focus on the role of sanctions
the evolution of deterrence theory in as a tool of influence in foreign policy.
the late twentieth century, and the Sanctions, described as measures sitting
requirements for communication, ‘between war and words’, are one of the
credibility and capability in the use of most commonly used levers of international
deterrence. Traditionally seen as the power and have far-reaching political,
activities or threats of one state to deter economic and social effects. The module
an adversary’s use of nuclear weapons, will provide students with a detailed
in recent years this has evolved to the understanding of key concepts such as
deterrence or other types of military coercive diplomacy and strategy, before
activity. The module concludes with a considering how these take form in the
case study of the failure of deterrence in various restrictive measures that make
Syria in 2013. up the sanctions toolkit. Drawing on
prominent case studies including Iraq,
Russia, Syria and Venezuela, students will
learn about the nature and evolution of
sanctions, as well as how they have been
deployed as part of a broader strategy
aimed at achieving coercive influence.
Cyber Security Studies Pathway
Cyber Security in the Strategy in the Age
Information Age of Artificial Intelligence

The concept of cyber security is The module explores four key themes. Overall, the intention is to provide students
extremely broad, covering the definition Together, these build to form an overall with a rounded view of how AI fits
of what constitutes a ‘cyber-attack’, picture of how AI technologies are shaping within the broader corpus of writing on
the state apparatus required to resist strategic affairs. First, students will consider technology and warfare; and to provide
attack, state surveillance capability, data the history of Artificial Intelligence; next, them sufficient technical understanding
management, artificial intelligence, and they explore the literature on military- to enhance their understanding of current
influence and information campaigns. technical revolutions, stretching from the themes in AI research, and to anticipate
This module introduces students to Palaeolithic era to present-day; then they possible future developments.
the theory behind the concept, before turn to strategic theories, to examine how
looking at the different aspects of AI will challenge key and enduring tenets
cybersecurity which can be studied. of strategic thought; and lastly, they turn
to the ethics of AI in warfare. The overall
educational aim of this module is to provide
students with new knowledge and a critical
understanding of the strategic impact of
Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, the
module will introduce students to various
disciplinary approaches to strategic
intelligence, including from evolutionary
psychology, philosophy of mind and
computer science, as well as from more
traditional strategic studies approaches.
In doing so, it aims to develop students’
understanding of the methods and values
in these various disciplines and allow them
space to reflect on their own approach to
interdisciplinary studies.
Espionage & Surveillance Studies Pathway

Intelligence, Espionage Intelligence in Conflict

& Surveillance

Intelligence, Espionage & Surveillance Following on from the key themes

is a module designed to explore the and concepts explored in Intelligence,
complexities and difficulties of using Espionage & Surveillance, this module
intelligence in the international explicitly studies the use of intelligence in
environment, in order to bolster conflict and war. The module commences
international security. It is not explicitly a with a two-week unit studying the history
history of intelligence use, incorporating, of the use of intelligence up to the Second
as it does, the study of various intelligence World War and the ‘hot-wars’ during the
theories, as well as how intelligence Cold War. The second two-week unit
failures occur and how they might be studies the evolving use of intelligence in
avoided. It deals with practical issues of irregular wars, in particular during the ‘9/11
intelligence analysis, explores intelligence wars’ in Afghanistan and Iraq. Finally, the
organisation in the Western World over third unit studies the use of intelligence in
the last 60 years, and examines how the wars in Ukraine and Syria, and in particular
use of intelligence in the international in the use of information warfare.
system and for international security has
evolved from the Second World War to
the present day.
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Important information
This module overview was produced in May 2020. It contains information on the programmes that King’s College London (King’s) intends to run for students who are planning to start at King’s in 2020/21. King’s has made every
effort to ensure that this information is both helpful and accurate but some changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees, may become necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory or academic reasons. King’s will
endeavour to keep changes to a minimum and to keep applicants informed appropriately. For this reason, it is important that you regularly check the website for updates or contact your Enrolment Advisor for further information.