War Studies

Course detail Description

The War Studies BA course is made up of 360 credits and studied over three years and you will study 120 credits each year.

The first year of study consists of five required modules that provide a rounded introduction to the occurrence of war and the benefits and challenges.

In the second year you will take one required module and three optional modules. These options provide you with a deeper understanding of war as revealed through a variety of disciplinary pathways, including history, politics, philosophy and sociology. You can also choose a ‘regional stream” on East Asia which comprises 60 credits in year 2, made up of 1 language module (Japanese or Mandarin) and a module introducing the region’s history and strategy.

In the final year, you are required to complete a 10,000-word dissertation on an approved subject of your choice (with emphasis placed on self-directed research) and a 30 credit required module. The 60 credits worth of optional modules you will also study are designed to reflect the current research and expertise of staff in the department, providing you with the opportunity to study specialist subjects in-depth. Students on the optional regional stream can use these 60 credits to further engage with regionally focused issues and themes as well as continue with more advanced language training.

A range of teaching methods are used including lectures, seminars and tutorials. We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. You will be assigned a personal tutor who will provide pastoral support during your studies. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment methods will depend on the modules selected. The primary methods of assessment for this course are essays, written examinations and presentations (individual and group).

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand & Waterloo Campuses. The Department is located at the Strand Campus, in the heart of central London close to the seat of government, the City, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Inns of Court, the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum; providing interaction between the study and practice of security and foreign policy.

• International Relations BA
• History & International Relations BA
• War Studies & History BA
• War Studies & Philosophy BA
• Politics BA/BSc
• European Politics BA

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Structure

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide upto-date, innovative and relevant courses of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on this webpage for updates.

You are required to take the following modules:

• The Causes of War (30 credits)
• The Conduct of War (30 credits)
• The Experience of War (30 credits)
• Art of War Studies (15 credits)
• Contemporary Security Issues (15 credits)

There are no optional modules in your first year.

Year 2 Required Modules

You are required to take the following module:

• War in the 20th Century (30 credits)

In addition, you are required to choose 90 credits from a wide range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• Intelligence in War Studies (30 credits)
• War in International Order (30 credits)
• World War II in Europe (30 credits)
• Empires, Imperialism and the History of the Modern World (30 credits)
• War and Society (30 credits)

If you choose the East Asia Stream, you should choose relevant options which may typically include:

• War & Strategy in East Asia (30 credits)
• Japanese or Mandarin (30 credits)
• plus a 30 credit option from the list above.

You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for your second year. Partner institutions do change from time to time, but the list currently includes the following:

• Georgetown University, USA
• Hong Kong University
• Sciences Po, Paris (basic French language required)
• University of California
• University of North Carolina
• University of Sydney
• Ca'Foscari University of Venice
• Yonsei University
• Keio University
• Korea University

Year 3 Required Modules You are required to take the following modules:

• 10,000-word dissertation (30 credits)
• State, Society & Strategy (30 credit)

In addition, you are required to choose 60 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• British Strategy 1815 - 1856 from the Congress of Vienna to the Peace of Paris (30 credits)
• Religion and Politics in the Middle East (30 credits)
• War on Terror (30 credits)
• Guerrillas in the Mist: Insurgency and Counter-insurgency (30 credits)
• Russia In The 21st Century (30 credits)
• Gendering Global Politics (30 credits)
• New Wars, New Media, New Journalism (30 credits)

In Year 3, students who chose the East Asia Stream in Year 2 will chose relevant options which may typically include:

• Japan & International Security of East Asia (30 credits) and/or
• Chinese Military Power (30 credits)
• plus Japanese or Mandarin (30 credits)