Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS) is an interdisciplinary academic major in which students learn to holistically frame complex strategic problems, develop viable and innovative solutions, and communicate effectively to multiple audiences.  DSS educates future leaders to solve complex problems in an uncertain world. DSS students study national policy, military strategy, operational art, and the use of force to understand, analyze and effectively communicate the relation of tactical action to national policy.

Course Objective
This is the foundational course in the Strategic Studies curriculum and presents a broad overview of the subject matter.
The main objective of this course is to gain familiarity with war, strategy, and the terminology that will be used throughout
this semester.  Course highlightis many issues of growing importance, such as the Post-Cold War deterrence, role of nuclear
weapons in the second nuclear age, aspects of arms control, irregular warfare

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should know:

• The differences between Tactics, Grand Tactics, Strategy, and Grand Strategy.
• A majority of the specialized words used in the study of warfare and strategy.
• Students will be familarized with Classical Strategists particuarly Clausewitz and Jomini
• The course will enable the students to comprehend the concept of nuclear deterrence, nuclear stratgy.
• The course is designed to enable the students to read and understand the early work on strategy by classical nuclear strategists including Bernard Brodie and Albert Wholstetter.

  Assessment Criteria;

  Attendance and Class Participation: 10%
• 75% of attendance would be mandatory to take the final term exams. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussion and ask questions. Students are expected to come to class well prepared, having read the assigned reading for each class. Please come to class on time. Habitually coming to class late will be penalized. Cell phones must be turned off. If your phone rings in class on more than one occasion, I will ask you to leave class.
• Short Term Paper: 4%
  Each student is required to submit a short-term paper of ranging 2000 to 3000 words on  the assigned titles. Similarity Index would be evaluated by using Turnitin Software.
  Presentations: 4%
• Map Quiz: 2%
• Mid Term Examination: 30%
• Final Term  Examination: 50%​

Recommended Books

Strategic Studies as A Reader By Thomas Mahnken, Joseph A Maiolo

An Introduction to Strategic Studies: Military Technology and International Relations By Barry Buzan

Class Time and Days

B.S. PS
Monday-Tuesday

11-1230
B.S. IR
Thursday-Friday: 
330 to 5 PM