Module description
Weapons of mass destruction and the technologies related to them have long posed serious questions to policy makers, states and the international community at large. This module investigates the impact of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons on state and international security. It combines key concepts and theories in International Relations and Security Studies with the necessary understanding of how these weapons work and to what effect. In doing so, the module offers a rounded understanding of these weapons that combines science, security and policy. It is suitable for students with a variety of backgrounds including in the social sciences, history and science.
The module begins with an introduction to some of the key concepts and theories in International Relations and Security Studies that are relevant to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. These concepts will frame discussions on the role these weapons play. We then examine some of the scientific and technical challenges involved in the manufacture of these weapons. The biggest hurdle to building nuclear weapons is the acquisition of fissile material and as such the enrichment and reprocessing stages of the nuclear fuel cycle will be explored in depth. The module also addresses the effects and the production processes of biological and chemical weapons, and contrast them with nuclear and radiological weapons. For biological weapons emphasis will be placed on recent developments in the biosciences, in particular genetic engineering and the spread of the biotech industry, and what this means for preventing the proliferation of biological weapons. The module also addresses topics at the intersection between science and security including dedicated sessions on missiles, deterrence and the role of intangibles in proliferation
Assessment details
Educational aims & objectives
The aims of the module are:
- Familiarize students with the basic science underlying nuclear and biological weapons
- Develop a systematic understand of the key concepts and theories from the fields of international relations and security studies, especially as they relate to the analysis of nuclear and biological weapons
- Provide a framework for the original analysis of the historical and contemporary role of scientific and technical issues and developments in international security
- Foster the capacity of critical analysis, independent judgment and communication at a level commensurate with taught postgraduate study
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will have:
- A basic understanding of the science underlying nuclear and biological weapons
- An understanding of the relevance of the science to key policy problems
- Critically engaged with the key concepts and theories used in security studies and applied those concepts and theories to an analysis of biological and nuclear weapons
- Exercised informed and independent judgment on the primary intellectual and policy debates regarding nuclear and biological weapons
- Practiced a range of intellectual, practical and transferable skills, through participation in classes and through the preparation and submission of module work
Teaching pattern
Teaching will be done through a combination of lecture and seminar-based sessions, each lasting two hours. The success of the course will depend largely on student preparation and involvement in class discussion. Over the course of the year small group discussions and a simulation will be utilised to augment the productivity of class sessions.
Suggested reading list
The reading load for this module is on average about 150 pages per week. For each week you will have a list of required readings for lecture and for seminar. The background of students taking this module varies enormously—some will have a strong science background, some will have strong international relations, and some will be new to both. The main readings listed for each class session are those that we will focus on in lecture and discussion.