Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
2POLS 516Theories of Strategy3+0+03804.11.2025

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program MA Program in Political Science and International Relations (Thesis) (English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course Develop analytical thinking and deepen their knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of strategic studies.
2. Discuss types and instruments of warfare.
3. Link the study of strategy with the realities of modern politics and its use by states in pursuit of their interests.
Course Content This course discusses numerous theoretical and practical issues in strategic studies as a subfield of international relations. The course examines theories. concepts and issues, which explain the evolution, nature and state’s intention to prepare and use military power to serve its political needs and interests. The topics include: The Meaning and Core Dimensions of Strategy, Strategy as a Science, Strategy and Security Environment. Grand Strategy and Emergent Strategy, Historical Setting of Strategic Studies, Instruments of Strategy such as War and Types of Regular Warfare (Land Warfare, Naval Warfare. Air Warfare), Asymmetric and Irregular Wars (Guerrilla War, Civil War and Strategic Terrorism), Strategic Issues (Arms Control and Disarmament, Nuclear Deterrence, Balance of Terror and Proliferation, Insurgency and Counterinsurgency Warfare), Drone Strikes, the Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks and Grand Strategy and New Directions for Strategy and Strategic Studies. Students are expected to engage the readings fully and actively participate in class discussions and debates.
Course Methods and Techniques
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Associate Prof.Dr. Ali ASLAN
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. ALİ ASLAN
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) Yes

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Freedman, Lawrence. Strategy: A History. Oxford University Press, 2013
Course Notes Jervis, Robert (1993), “Arms Control, Stability, and Causes of War”, Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 108, No. 2., pp. 239-253


Jacqueline L. Hazelton 1 (2017) “Drone Strikes and Grand Strategy: Toward a Political Understanding of the Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks in US Security Policy”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 40:1-2, 68-91, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2016.1196589).

Amy Zegart (2020) “Cheap fights, credible threats: The future of armed drones and coercion”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 43:1, 6-46, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2018.1439747).


Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 361-436.

Chad M. Briggs (2010) “Environmental Change, Strategic Foresight, and Impacts on Military Power”, Parameters, Vol. 40, Autumn, pp. 76-90.

Colin S. Gray (1992), “New Dire
Documents 30
Assignments 30
Exams 40

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Assignment 2 % 30
Attendance 4 % 0
Practice 1 % 0
Project 1 % 30
Total
8
% 60

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 3 42
Presentation 1 2 2
Practice 4 2 8
Project 1 30 30
Final examination 1 40 40
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 164

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 1. Discuss core concepts in the field of strategic studies. 2. Examine the core dimensions of building a national defense strategy. 3. Analyze the factors of war among states and apply appropriate course of action (force or diplomacy) in pursuit of national interests.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Strategy: Meaning and Core Dimensions of Strategy Strategy and Security Environment Grand Strategy and Emergent Strategy
2 • Strategy: Meaning and Core Dimensions of Strategy • Strategy and Security Environment • Grand Strategy and Emergent Strategy
3 • Strategy as a Science • Historical Setting of Strategic Studies Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 1-50. McArdle Kelleher (2016) “The Postwar Evolution of the Field of Strategic Studies: Robert O’Neill” in Context Catherine Daniel Marston and Tamara Leahy (eds.) War, Strategy and History: Essays in Honour of Professor Robert O’Neill, (Australia: The Australian National University Press). Thomas G. Mahnken (2011) “The Evolution of Strategy … But What About Policy?”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 34:4, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2011.594673).
4 • Strategy as a Science • Historical Setting of Strategic Studies Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 1-50. McArdle Kelleher (2016) “The Postwar Evolution of the Field of Strategic Studies: Robert O’Neill” in Context Catherine Daniel Marston and Tamara Leahy (eds.) War, Strategy and History: Essays in Honour of Professor Robert O’Neill, (Australia: The Australian National University Press). Thomas G. Mahnken (2011) “The Evolution of Strategy … But What About Policy?”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 34:4, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2011.594673).
5 • War and Types of Regular Warfare: Land Warfare, Naval Warfare. Air Warfare Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 50-180. Andreas Herberg-Rothe (2014) “Clausewitz’s Concept of Strategy – Balancing Purpose, Aims and Means”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 37:6-7, 903-925, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2013.853175) George Dimitriu (2018), “Clausewitz and the politics of war: A contemporary theory”, Journal of Strategic Studies, (link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2018.1529567). Jonathan Shimshoni, (1990-1991) “Technology, Military Advantage, and World War I: A Case for Military Entrepreneurship”, International Security, Vol. 15, No. 3, , pp. 187-215. Karl Lautenschelager, (1983) “Technology and the Evolution of Naval Warfare”, International Security, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 3-51. Robert A. Pape, (2004) “The True Worth of Air Power”, Foreign Affairs Vol. 83, No. 2., pp. 116-130.
6 • War and Types of Regular Warfare: Land Warfare, Naval Warfare. Air Warfare Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 50-180. Andreas Herberg-Rothe (2014) “Clausewitz’s Concept of Strategy – Balancing Purpose, Aims and Means”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 37:6-7, 903-925, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2013.853175) George Dimitriu (2018), “Clausewitz and the politics of war: A contemporary theory”, Journal of Strategic Studies, (link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2018.1529567). Jonathan Shimshoni, (1990-1991) “Technology, Military Advantage, and World War I: A Case for Military Entrepreneurship”, International Security, Vol. 15, No. 3, , pp. 187-215. Karl Lautenschelager, (1983) “Technology and the Evolution of Naval Warfare”, International Security, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 3-51. Robert A. Pape, (2004) “The True Worth of Air Power”, Foreign Affairs Vol. 83, No. 2., pp. 116-130.
7 • War and Types of Regular Warfare: Land Warfare, Naval Warfare. Air Warfare Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 50-180. Andreas Herberg-Rothe (2014) “Clausewitz’s Concept of Strategy – Balancing Purpose, Aims and Means”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 37:6-7, 903-925, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2013.853175) George Dimitriu (2018), “Clausewitz and the politics of war: A contemporary theory”, Journal of Strategic Studies, (link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2018.1529567). Jonathan Shimshoni, (1990-1991) “Technology, Military Advantage, and World War I: A Case for Military Entrepreneurship”, International Security, Vol. 15, No. 3, , pp. 187-215. Karl Lautenschelager, (1983) “Technology and the Evolution of Naval Warfare”, International Security, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 3-51. Robert A. Pape, (2004) “The True Worth of Air Power”, Foreign Affairs Vol. 83, No. 2., pp. 116-130.
8 • Asymmetric Wars and Irregular Wars: Guerrilla War, Civil War and Strategic Terrorism • Insurgency and Counterinsurgency Warfare Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 241-360. Michael J. Mazzar (2008), “The Folly of ‘Asymmetric War’”, The Washington Quarterly, Vol.31, No. 3, pp. 33–53.
9 • Asymmetric Wars and Irregular Wars: Guerrilla War, Civil War and Strategic Terrorism • Insurgency and Counterinsurgency Warfare Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 241-360. Michael J. Mazzar (2008), “The Folly of ‘Asymmetric War’”, The Washington Quarterly, Vol.31, No. 3, pp. 33–53.
10 • Strategic Issues: Arms Control and Disarmament, Nuclear Deterrence, Balance of Terror and Proliferation Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 181-240. Gray, Colin S., (1999), “To Confuse Ourselves: Nuclear Fallacies” in The Second Nuclear Age, Boulder, Lynne Rienner. Jervis, Robert (1993), “Arms Control, Stability, and Causes of War”, Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 108, No. 2., pp. 239-253.
11 • Strategic Issues: Arms Control and Disarmament, Nuclear Deterrence, Balance of Terror and Proliferation Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 181-240. Gray, Colin S., (1999), “To Confuse Ourselves: Nuclear Fallacies” in The Second Nuclear Age, Boulder, Lynne Rienner. Jervis, Robert (1993), “Arms Control, Stability, and Causes of War”, Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 108, No. 2., pp. 239-253.
12 • Drone Strikes, the Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks and Grand Strategy Jacqueline L. Hazelton 1 (2017) “Drone Strikes and Grand Strategy: Toward a Political Understanding of the Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks in US Security Policy”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 40:1-2, 68-91, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2016.1196589). Amy Zegart (2020) “Cheap fights, credible threats: The future of armed drones and coercion”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 43:1, 6-46, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2018.1439747).
13 • Drone Strikes, the Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks and Grand Strategy Jacqueline L. Hazelton 1 (2017) “Drone Strikes and Grand Strategy: Toward a Political Understanding of the Uses of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks in US Security Policy”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 40:1-2, 68-91, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2016.1196589). Amy Zegart (2020) “Cheap fights, credible threats: The future of armed drones and coercion”, Journal of Strategic Studies, 43:1, 6-46, (To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2018.1439747).
14 • Future for Strategy and Strategic Studies: New Directions? Thomas G. Mahnken and Joseph A. Maiolo (eds) (2008) Strategic Studies: A Reader, (USA & Canada: Routledge), pp. 361-436. Chad M. Briggs (2010) “Environmental Change, Strategic Foresight, and Impacts on Military Power”, Parameters, Vol. 40, Autumn, pp. 76-90. Colin S. Gray (1992), “New Directions for Strategic Studies? How Can Theory Help Practice?”, Security Studies, Vol. 1, No. 4,1992, pp.610-635.

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5
All 5 4 4 4 5
C1 5 4 4 5 4

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

  
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