Maritime Power and Security in Global Politics
| Module title | Maritime Power and Security in Global Politics |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3208 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Martin Robson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
The sea has, and continues to be, a global superhighway for nations, peoples, commerce and information as well as a source of rich resources such as fish and oil. This interdisciplinary module will draw upon both history and political science to introduce you to the concepts, history and contemporary context of the components and policy of maritime power and maritime security. You will be encouraged to critically analyse the utility of both political and historical theory for practical application using real world contemporary case studies. The module begins with an introduction to maritime power and security – what it is and what it is not – followed by an assessment of historical aspects of maritime security before progressing to assess a number of comparative contemporary case studies where maritime power and security plays a crucial role in concepts of the balance of power in contemporary global politics. Subjects analysed in depth will include: the global implications of the resurgence of China as a maritime nation. Are Western approaches to maritime security such as exercised by the UK and USA still valid? What is the role of non-state maritime actors such as multinational organisations such as the European Union? Or those with vested commercial interest such as shipping companies or offshore resource exploitation companies? What about the activities of terrorist and criminal organisations in and from the maritime environment? What legal frameworks exist for dealing with disorder at sea? What are the implications (legal and for global power) of the legal and illegal exploitation of maritime resources? This module is suitable for specialist and non-specialist alike. No prior knowledge is required. Combining history and political science the module is particularly recommend for interdisciplinary pathways.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- Develop your understanding of contemporary global security issues including globalisation, migration and law
- Develop your understanding of those issues in a maritime security context
- Help you identify the key security debates related to maritime security and the exercise of seapower
- Develop your understanding of how contemporary debates about seapower and maritime security have been informed by an appreciation of relevant history
- Develop your analytical skills by applying theory to contemporary real world maritime issues and crises
- Develop your understanding of a range of maritime issues including different approaches to maritime power, traditional and non-traditional maritime security threats and International Maritime Law
- Develop your policy focused applied writing skills
- Develop your understanding of the maritime as a strategic environment where challenges can be met with ‘practical wisdom’
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the nature of the history of maritime power and security and its evolving characteristics.
- 2. Demonstrate detailed understanding of the contemporary maritime security environment.
- 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the contextual forces relevant to maritime power and security.
- 4. Demonstrate an in-depth awareness of the interaction between maritime power and security and globalisation.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critically examine secondary and primary source material in the field of maritime power and security.
- 6. Demonstrate critical awareness of the key concepts and debates relating to the study of historical and contemporary maritime power and security in an applied fashion.
- 7. Critically evaluate competing conceptions, theories and approaches to maritime power and security.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Study independently and manage time and assessment deadlines effectively.
- 9. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
- 10. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments.
- 11. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet, online journal databases and other IT resources for the purposes of tutorial and assessment preparation.
- 12. Demonstrate effective applied writing.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
– Introduction to Seapower – concepts / theory
– Seapower in history – Bronze age to Age of sail
– Seapower in history – Age of sail to 1914
– Seapower in history – Total War and Cold War
– Contemporary seapower – the UK
– Contemporary seapower – the USA
– Contemporary seapower – China
– Contemporary seapower – Russia
– Contemporary seapower – the EU
– The future of ‘traditional seapower’
– The future of ‘non-traditional’ seapower – role of non-state actors, ngo’s, terrorism and seapower
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided independent study | 50 | Private study - reading and preparing for seminars |
| Guided independent study | 78 | Preparation for essay and portfolio including researching and collating relevant sources; planning the structure and argument; writing up the essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay outline | 500 words | 1-11 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 2000 words | 1-11 | Written |
| Portfolio of applied writing | 50 | 2000 words | 1-12 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-11 | August / September re-assessment period |
| Portfolio of applied writing | Portfolio of applied writing (2000 words) | 1-12 | August / September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Barnett, R.W. & Gray, C.S. (eds), Seapower and strategy, (London : Tri-Service, 1989)
Bell, C. M., Churchill and seapower, (Oxford: OUP, 2012)
Corbett, J.S., Some Principles of Maritime Strategy, (London: Longmans Green, 1911)
Dutton, P., Ross, R. S., Tunsjo, O., (eds), Twenty-first century seapower : cooperation and conflict at sea, (London: Routledge, 2012)
Gorshkov, S. G., The seapower of the state, (Annapolis: NIP, 1979)
Gray, Colin S. The leverage of sea power : the strategic advantage of navies in war (London : Maxwell Macmillan, 1992)
Klein, N., Maritime Security and the Law of the Sea, (Oxford: OUP, 2012)
Mahan, A.T., The Influence of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1783 (London: Sampson Low, 1890)
Manicom, J., ‘China and American Seapower in East Asia: Is Accommodation Possible?’ Journal of Strategic Studies, Jun2014, Vol. 37 Issue 3, p345-371.
Parry, C., Super Highway: Sea Power in the 21st Century, (London: Elliot and Thompson, 2014)
Rubel, R.C., Navies and Economic Prosperity: The New Logic of Seapower, Corbett Paper 11, https://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/dsd/research/researchgroups/corbett/corbettpaper11.pdf
Tangredi, S., Globalization and Maritime Power, (2012)
Till, G., Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century, (London: Routledge, 2013) available online through Uni log in.
Till, G., The Development of British Naval Thinking, (London: Routledge, 2006)
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 03/05/2016 |
| Last revision date | 06/06/2018 |
