Military Strategy

Module description

This module provides an overview of military strategy from the eighteenth century to the present day. It achieves this with the help of a theoretical framework, around which both historical knowledge and contemporary events can be organized and interpreted.For the purposes of this module, military strategy is provisionally defined as “the link between military means and political ends.” This definition is used to highlight the fact that the character of strategy is shaped by the political goals for which war is conducted as well as by the military means available to the belligerents. It follows from this that, throughout this module, we shall be looking at what political leaders have hoped to achieve by going to war in addition to examining the military means available to them. The question we shall be asking at each point is exactly how strategy was intended to translate a given set of military means into a desired political outcome.

 

Assessment details

Written examination/s;coursework

You’re permitted to submit up to two 3000-word essays, with the better of your two grades counting for 34% of your final mark. If you’re happy with the first grade you receive, there’s no requirement to submit a second essay; it’s up to you.

You’ll also sit a two-hour exam in Term 2, which counts for 66% of your final mark.

Educational aims & objectives

The aims of this module are to:

• provide students with a coherent overview of strategic theory and practice from the eighteenth century to the present day;
• provide students with a theoretical framework around which historical knowledge and contemporary events can be organized and interpreted;
• foster amongst students the capacity for analysis, judgement and communication at a level commensurate with undergraduate study.

Learning outcomes

Upon successfully completing this module, students will have:

• understood the important role that strategy plays at the interface between the political and military spheres of activity;
• identified major continuities and discontinuities in the theory and practice of strategy since the eighteenth century;
• understood the role of political and technical factors in shaping the character of strategic theory and practice;
• practiced a range of intellectual, practical and transferable skills, through participation in classes and through the preparation and submission of course work.

Teaching pattern

The module is taught via weekly 1-hour lectures and weekly 1-hour seminars. The purpose of the lectures is to provide you with an introduction to each topic, which you should supplement with your own reading. The purpose of the seminars is to provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding of key aspects of each topic.

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.