Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - POL 443 D100

Nuclear Strategy, Arms Control, and International Security (4)

Class Number: 5315

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 12, 2018
    Thu, 11:59–11:59 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Eight upper division units in Political Science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides an overview of the evolution of US and Soviet strategic policies since World War II. The political and doctrinal bases of national strategic debates are closely examined, as are the various obstacles to a more stable international arms control regime for nuclear weapons.

COURSE DETAILS:

This seminar course examines the role of nuclear weapons in national security strategy from their first use in the Second World War, through their deterrence function in the Cold War to the current era. The material explores how arms control agreements provided stability between nuclear competitor states and considers the future of such regimes in the increasingly complex international security context. The course material will focus primarily on the United States, Russia/USSR, and China, but will also address the India-Pakistan nuclear rivalry, the North Korean nuclear challenge, and proliferation challenges involving Middle East actors. As a revolution in military affairs, this course views nuclear force employment in Clausewitzian terms as an extension of “politics by other means”, which evaluates the political and doctrinal determinants of nuclear strategic and operational planning.

 There will be a four-hour lecture/seminar once a week.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • 2 Presentations ~ article review 20%
  • Research Paper Proposal/Presentation 20%
  • Research Paper 25%
  • Final Examination 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Richard K. Betts, Nuclear Blackmail, Nuclear Balance (Brookings Institution Press, 1987).
ISBN: 13: 978-0815709350

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS