Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3214: Disrupting Western Hegemony: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency Post-WWII

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will provide you with:

  • A comprehensive understanding of the conceptual issues associated with the definition and study of irregular warfare, and particularly, of insurgency and counter-insurgency.
  • An awareness of the competing theories and practices of irregular warfare.
  • An understanding of the kinds of predicaments, including strategic, operational and ethical dilemmas, produced by irregular warfare activities.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the nature of irregular warfare and its evolving features.
2. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the developing characteristics of the Western way of counter-insurgency warfare and its effect on those challenging the Western hegemony.
3. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the growing asymmetric challenges confronted by Western states and the way that these have reacted to such challenges from the strategic, operational, ethical and organizational perspectives.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Display a critical understanding of the evolution of sub-conventional military operations, and their role in contemporary conflict;
5. Exercise informed judgement about change and continuity of sub-conventional conflicts;
Personal and Key Skills6. Study independently and manage time and assessment deadlines effectively.
7. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
8. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments.
9. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet, online journal databases and other IT resources for the purposes of tutorial and assessment preparation.