University of Sussex Business School

What is War (L2072S)

What is War

Module L2072S

Module details for 2019/20.

30 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

You will gain an advanced understanding of the place of war in the political world. What is war and how, if at all, is it different from other forms of violence? What is the relationship between war and politics? We will ask what war is and then investigate its relation to the fields of ethics, gender, sexuality, and culture. You will then use this knowledge to investigate specific forms of warfare, including genocide as a war of annihilation, insurgency/guerrilla warfare, and counterinsurgency. We conclude by addressing anti-war activism and related forms of civil disobedience as alternatives to war. You are provided with an advanced knowledge and analytical skills that will help you to think, talk, and write in an informed and critical manner about war.

Module learning outcomes

Develop a systematic and critical understanding of war, including its place in history and its role in human affairs.

Develop a detailed conceptual understanding of the different approaches to the history and theory of war and the thinkers who have promoted these perspectives.

Effectively synthesise and communicate the empirical and theoretical uncertainties, ambiguities and limits of the different approaches to the history and theory of war.

TypeTimingWeighting
Essay (3500 words)Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:0070.00%
Coursework30.00%
Coursework components. Weighted as shown below.
PresentationT2 Week 11 (5 minutes)33.00%
Group PresentationT2 Week 11 (15 minutes)67.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Spring SemesterSeminar3 hours11111111111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Earl Gammon

Assess convenor
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/138664

Dr Dagmar Vorlíček

Convenor
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/512867

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