The Arms Trade in International Politics (L7095S)
The Arms Trade in International Politics
Module L7095S
Module details for 2023/24.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
Dr Anna Stavrianakis
For more information see here:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/global/internal/forstudents/options/ir
This module investigates the social and international relations of the arms trade. You may already be familiar with allegations of corruption, human rights violations and war profiteering associated with the arms trade. You may also have heard justifications in terms of national security, international alliances and jobs.
This module analyses these, and other, claims through a series of historically and theoretically informed empirical case studies. We will ask: what are the main features of global patterns of arms production and transfers? How have these patterns developed historically? What international relations are fostered through arms transfers, and (how) have these changed over time? How is military production embedded in the economic, political and social life of societies and states? What efforts at arms regulation, control and abolition are in play, and how effective are they? Sample case studies include: the production, transfer and use of drones in the ¿war on terror¿; Chinese arms transfers to African states and new forms of international hierarchy; arms transfers to the Middle East and the supposed ¿tension¿ between human rights and weapons sales; and the institutionalisation of a world military order through the UN Arms Trade Treaty.
Module learning outcomes
Develop a systematic and critical understanding of the social and international relations of military production and trade.
Develop a detailed conceptual understanding of the empirical and theoretical uncertainties, ambiguities and limits found in the study of the arms trade.
Effectively synthesise and communicate a theoretically informed analysis of a given research topic on the arms trade.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (3500 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Fri 16:00 | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | T2 Week 6 | 66.67% |
| Group Presentation | T2 Week 11 (20 minutes) | 33.33% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 3 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Anna Stavrianakis
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/200527
Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit
Assess convenor
/profiles/349663
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