War Studies

Core Course: Theory and Reality in Western Warfare

Course Aims and Objectives

The core course aims to cover many of the most interesting theoretical discussions in the history of western warfare, while also allowing students to test just how 'theory' reacts when it is applied to the real world.

Specifically, by the end of this core course the student should:

1. Be knowledgeable of the some of the most important theoretical developments in western warfare, and how these different theories fared when they were put in practice
2. Be able to understand and evaluate historical ideas on western warfare from a number of different periods, nations, and historical perspectives
3. Be able to integrate their own thoughts with primary source material, secondary source material, and information gathered from instructor presentations, to create informed, interesting and persuasive presentations
4. Be able to write essays consistent with work at the post-graduate level.

Course Structure

The core course is mandatory for all students in the first term and will be class-taught. It will meet twice per week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-5pm); each week the class will focus on one specific subject. During the first meeting of the week the leading instructor will give a presentation on a particular subject, while the second meeting will be based around student presentations on the same subject.

Topics covered in the course include:

• Clausewitz and European Armies 1871-1914
• Mahan and Sea Power
• Moltke and the War of German Unification
• Theory of Small Arms Control
• Early Modern Warfare: The Historiographical Debate

Each student will be assessed through their performance in one essay and two oral seminar presentations and papers. Overall, the mark in the core course will compose one-third of the student's final mark for the M.Litt.