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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Sociology

Undergraduate Course: Armed Force and Society (SCIL10033)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaSociology Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course explores the relationship between armed force and society. A main focus will be on the on the role of technology in the politics and social dynamics of armed conflict. Technology, whether it be machetes or nuclear weapons, lies at the heart of conflict, and this course uses a range of perspectives, to investigate the nature and impact of armed force. These theoretical perspectives will be exemplified through the extensive use of case studies, and no prior theoretical or specialist technical knowledge is required. The course has a particular emphasis on nuclear weapons and the Cold War, but also covers issues such as terrorism, the arms trade, and the Revolution in Military Affairs.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Sociology or closely related courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLecture1-11 14:00 - 15:50
First Class Week 1, Tuesday, 14:00 - 15:50, Zone: Central. Room S.1, 7 George Square
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes being sought are that at the end of the course you will be familiar with and be able to discuss:



1. How the fog of war increases the scope for social and political factors to shape knowledge of the effects of military technology;

2. The tendency to prepare to fight the last war, and how this shapes the design and interpretation of testing in weapons development;

3. The role that politics, and especially bureaucratic politics, play in the development of weapons systems;

4. The debate over the increasing use of high technology by the military, including what has been termed cyberwar, and the question of whether these high-tech approaches are effective;

5. The notion of a military-industrial complex, and to what extent the arms industries of industrialised nations are responsible for conflict around the world;

6. The legacy of the Cold War and the reliance on nuclear deterrence;

7. The factors that contribute to the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and the options for preventing this;

8. The terrorist threat, and to what extent technology can help stop it.
Assessment Information
A midterm short essay (25%) and a long essay (75%)
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Graham Spinardi
Tel: (0131 6)50 6394
Email: G.Spinardi@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Sue Renton
Tel: (0131 6)50 6958
Email: Sue.Renton@ed.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:47 am