Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - POL 432 D100

Great Power Politics (4)

Class Number: 2003

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    POL 141 and eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

How do great powers form alliances and balance of power? Under what conditions do they engage in war? How does geography shape their strategy? How do they manipulate economic relations for political aims? This course addresses these questions utilizing key international relations theories and various analytical methods.

COURSE DETAILS:

This advanced-level, cross-listed seminar course focuses on grand strategy, the highest form of strategy for great powers. Grand strategy has attracted academic interests from political scientists and diplomatic historians, which in turn has generated various debates. We will first study selected chapters of The Oxford Handbook of Grand Strategy, followed by the national security strategy documents of key Western powers. By the end of the course, successful students will have acquired a solid academic framework to comprehend, analyze, and assess various grand strategies.

The course is combined with POL 840.

Grading

  • Participation (attendance, discussion, and presentation) 30%
  • Minor writing assignments 20%
  • Major research paper 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

T. Balzacq and R. Krebs, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Grand Strategy (Oxford University Press, 2021) [Electronic version via the SFU library: Oxford Scholarship Online: https://academic-oup-com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/edited-volume/35431].

Other reading materials will be accessible via Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.