PIM110: NATO Strategy, 1949 to the present

Module code: PIM110

Module provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Kenton White, email: kenton.white@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 5 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module focusses on NATO’s Strategic Concepts which have developed since NATO was formed in 1949. Students will understand and assess the applicability of the concepts to the relevant time periods. Where necessary the module draws on historical examples to illustrate the concepts and their applicability.  

This module will cover the development and execution of NATO’s strategic concepts from its inception in 1949 to the present day. These concepts will be compared both to the prevailing security environment and the assumed capability of the identified opponents. Students will understand the reasons for the creation of particular concepts and their alterations.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Develop an in-depth knowledge of NATO strategic concepts and the reasons for their creation
2. Understand NATO’s position during and after the Cold War
3. Understand the reasons for NATO's survival after the end of the Cold War
4. Recognise NATO's role in the current geopolitical environment

Module content

• Explore the creation of NATO’s range of strategic concepts  
• Assess the practicality and usefulness of the concepts and their associated measures  
• Identify the most important aspects of NATO strategic concepts  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught by two-hour seminars. These will be structured around the core themes of threat and capabilities analysis from which NATO derived its strategic concepts. Students are expected to read widely and be familiar with related texts and NATO documents. Students are also expected to research and understand the relevant historical events around which NATO’s concepts were and are developed.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.