The aim of this course is to equip participants with necessary intellectual tools that enable them to better understand what Grand Strategy means, how it differs from diplomacy and military strategy while integrating them, what it takes to develop one, and the pitfalls to be avoided for Grand Strategy analysis. The course has three main components:
1. Conceptual elements about Grand Strategy featuring recent scholarly and policy debates, including definitions of grand strategy, discussions about its components and best ways to assess both its presence and effectiveness;
2. Empirical case studies, including a sample of Grand Strategies examined in a comparative environment. In particular, the discussion concerns how different categories of states (small, middle and major powers) do grand strategy.
3. Practical enquiries into the design of Grand Strategy, its resilience and change.
Learning Outcomes
Understand and define basic terms and concepts of grand strategy, as they relate to cognate fields such as strategy, diplomacy, and war; Compare and contrast the characteristics of different forms of grand strategies Apply theories, concepts, and methods of grand strategy to a diversity of cases.
Professional Skills
Identify the sources and constraints of grand strategies in different historical and contemporary environments Conduct the design of grand strategy, in different settings Analyze the conditions that impact the performance of a grand strategy
1° Class participation (10%) allows the teacher to gauge students' understanding of the texts and topics covered. Students are assessed on both their ability to describe the content of the text and their critical discussion of the main arguments brought out by the reading.
2° A short essay (50%). Taking no more than 2,500 words, students choose one of the questions offered in the syllabus, and develop an answer that weaves class readings, lectures and discussions, as well as their own research.
3° Final exam (40%). The students will be asked to answer 2 questions drawn from the lectures and the compulsory readings. This exam will last 60 minutes. It is held on the last day of the class.