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853-0082-00L 3 Credits BSC , WBZ D-GESS

Strategic Studies I

Strategische Studien I

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Marcel Berni
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:36

Abstract

The lecture Strategic Studies deals with the use of political and military power from an interdisciplinary and global perspective.

Objective

Participants will develop a sound understanding of the historical development of strategic thinking, becoming familiar with the key concepts, models and fundamental components of strategy, as well as their interrelationships. They will be able to critically reflect on these concepts and contextualise the tension between the formulation and application of strategies in selected historical and contemporary examples. Furthermore, they will be able to analyse both original texts and modern publications in Strategic Studies, explaining them using concrete case studies. Participants will also become aware of the influence of technological changes on strategic thinking.

Content

The two-semester course covers key issues in strategic studies. The first semester focuses on key concepts and foundations, which are applied and critically discussed in the second semester. Political and military theorists, practitioners and case studies will be discussed. The course also emphasizes the role of non-European thinkers and theories. The focus will then be on the impact and practical implementation. For each of the strategies discussed, the original context and the state of technological development will be highlighted.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Prior to the lectures, the respective slides are provided as well as primary sources and literature (via Moodle).

Literature

Jan Angstrom, J.J. Widen, Contemporary Military Theory: The Dynamics of War, London 2015. John Baylis et al. (ed.), Strategy in the Contemporary World. An Introduction to Strategic Studies, New York 2018. Jeremy Black, Military Strategy. A Global History, New Haven 2020. Hal Bands (ed.), The New Makers of Modern Strategy, Princeton 2023. Hervé Coutau-Bégarie, Traité de stratégie, Paris 2002. Nathan K. Finney (ed.), On Strategy. A Primer, Fort Leavenworth 2020. Lawrence Freedman, Strategy. A History, New York 2013. Beatrice Heuser, Den Krieg denken. Die Entwicklung der Strategie seit der Antike, Paderborn 2010. David Jordan et al., Understanding Modern Warfare, Cambridge 2026. Thomas G. Mahnken, Joseph A. Maiolo (ed.), Strategic Studies. A Reader, London 2008. Peter Paret (ed.), Makers of Modern Strategy. From Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age, Princeton 1986. Elinor C. Sloan, Modern Military Strategy. An Introduction, Oxon/New York 2017.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , WBZ
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Die Beantwortung der Prüfungsfragen kann auch auf Englisch, Französisch oder Italienisch erfolgen.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Strategische Studien I No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In