PLT3850 - Defended to death? Arms control and international security

Leader(s): Andy Butfoy

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines some of the ideas and policies which have been developed to facilitate the emergence of a less militarised form of world politics. Three themes are addressed. First, general issues involved in efforts to manage and stop the arms race are introduced. Second, attempts to restrain the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, biological and conventional weapons are outlined. Third, the prospects for various degrees of demilitarisation are discussed in the light of developments in world politics.

Objectives

This subject has the following objectives:

1. to provide a sense of the conceptual and historical context required for understanding developments in international arms control;
2. to introduce students to key arms control agreements; and
3. to enhance the ability of students to engage in critical reflection and produce reasoned, soundly structured and well presented debate on the place of arms control in the international system.

Assessment

Essay (2500 words): 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in Politics or permission.

Prohibitions

COS2850, COS3850, PLT2850