STV4252 – Politics and strategy in the nuclear age
Course content
This interactive class introduces students to analytic and policy challenges associated with nuclear weapons. The seminars focus on nuclear proliferation, nuclear strategy and conflict escalation.
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the basic intellectual perspectives on these issues, as well as enhancing their analytical skillset in deliberating how different actors in the international environment interpret and address these complex problems.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
You will:
- Learn about the spread and use of nuclear weapons
- Analyze the evolution of the global non-proliferation regime
- Weigh the pros and cons of counter-proliferation options
- Study basic principles of nuclear strategy in historical and contemporary perspectives
Skills
You will learn to:
- Understand the basic policy challenges associated with the use and spread of nuclear weapons
- Assess the pros and cons of policy instruments for preventing the spread of these weapons to additional states
- Prepare and present policy briefs to decision-makers
- Apply analytical perspectives to past and current nuclear crises
Competences
You will learn to:
- Analyze policy challenges at the intersection of technology, politics and strategy
- Assess and advocate policy options
- Critically assess the strength and weakness of the global non-proliferation regime and military alliances in addressing contemporary challenges
- associated with nuclear weapons
- Apply state-of-the-art methodologies to understand and address emerging nuclear weapons challenges
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.?Guest student on master courses at the Department of Political Science - Faculty of Social Sciences (uio.no)
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Apply for guest student status if you are admitted to another Master`s programme (deadline 1 August / 5 January).
For incoming students
All Master`s courses in Political Science must be registered manually by the Department. They will not appear in Studentweb. Contact your international coordinator at UiO.
Teaching
10 seminars.
Compulsory activities:
- Participate in the NPT simulation exercise
- Prepare a 1-page policy brief after the NPT simulation exercise (Class 6).
Absence from compulsory tuition activities.
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Examination
3-hour school exam
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system .
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.