ATS3660 · Global nuclear order

Overview

In this unit you will explore the politics of the possession and control of nuclear weapons. You will analyse the history and current policies of the states that possess nuclear weapons, as well as “threshold” states that maintain some ability to acquire a nuclear capability. You will also examine related global dynamics, such as attempts to control the spread of these weapons, successful and otherwise, examples of states giving up nuclear capabilities, the links between the civilian nuclear industry and weapons programmes, and the illicit or ‘blackmarket’ trade in nuclear materials.

Areas of study: International relations

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. conduct historically-informed analysis of the different nuclear postures of those states that possess nuclear weapons;
2. critically examine how policymakers might be influenced by incentives and disincentives for both proliferation and nonproliferation, making informed arguments relating to policy;
3. dissect debates surrounding nuclear arms control and disarmament including the contemporary and likely future prospects for both;
4. communicate logical and well-formed arguments in academic and non-academic written and oral formats;
5. analyse and make informed arguments about the role of new technological developments in challenging the global nuclear order.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.