Admission requirements
None
Description
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has placed the threat of nuclear weapons high on the international agenda. For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the use of nuclear weapons has been considered a realistic scenario again. Together with chemical weapons, biological weapons and radiological weapons, nuclear weapons form a distinct category known as Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s). Since the use of chemical weapons in the First World War (1914-1918), WMDs have been an issue of concern in international politics. This elective seminar focuses on the emergence of WMDs and the political and strategic implications of their existence. Why and how were WMDs developed? How did WMDs influence international politics and warfare? What legal and moral issues are raised by WMDs in comparison to conventional weapons? These are just a few of the questions raised in the course. We also investigate initiatives to abolish WMDs through arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives. To what extent have these efforts been successful and what are the main problems associated with controlling WMDs? Students who follow this course get an overview of the role of WMDs in international politics and will get acquainted with academic and policy discussions on the topic.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students are able to:
describe the historical development of WMDs (including country case studies);
explain why WMDs form a separate category of weapons;
apply the main theories and concepts associated with the existence and role of WMDs in international politics;
demonstrate understanding of the political, legal, ethical, financial, and strategic aspects of WMDs;
describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the main arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation initiatives;
be able to participate in academic and policy discussion on WMDs
Schedule
The timetables are available through MyTimetable (see the button in the upper right corner).
Teaching method
Seminar, one session per week. Attendance is obligatory.
Assessment method
Written and oral assessments.
Reading list
The course syllabus will be made available via Brightspace before the start of the course.
Registration
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website (https://www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/your-study-programme/courses-and-exams/enrolment/social-and-behavioural-sciences/political-science-bsc?cf=social-and-behavioural-sciences&cd=political-science-bsc#tab-1).
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer(s) (listed in the right information bar). For questions about enrolment, contact the Student Services Centre: ssc@leiden.edu.