MSc (Strategic Studies)

Objectives

The study of the preparation, threat, use and control of organised force, by both states and non-state actors, for political purposes is the focus of the MSc (Strategic Studies) programme.

The programme has a sharp focus—the role of military power—but to understand the dimensions of strategy, it is necessary to know something about politics, international relations, history, economics, psychology, sociology and geography, as well as technology, logistics, force structure and tactics.

This programme is designed to help students better comprehend the application of military power, as well as the coordination and direction of different resources to achieve political outcomes. It aims to develop broadly educated, politically sensitive, defence and security practitioners as well as defence and security sensitive civilians who have the following skill sets:

• A nuanced understanding of the pressing national, transnational and regional strategic challenges and issues in the Indo-Pacific;

• A systematic understanding of the security interactions between states and non-state actors in an increasingly globalised world; and

• The critical thinking skills essential for the crafting of the national security policies and defence strategies, as well as private sector security policies.

Relevance

Today, the security of state and non-state actors is increasingly complicated. Core security issues—focusing on the security of the state from the application of power by hostile actors—remains fundamental; however, the threats to states are today more diverse and take numerous forms.

In addition, so-called non-traditional security issues—catastrophic climate change, resource scarcity, infectious diseases, to name but three—are gaining in importance in the security calculus of public and private actors.

The core security mechanisms—the military and national security forces of the state—remain salient, but they are increasingly being complemented, if not replaced, by non-violent mechanisms of national security – global and regional multilateral institutions are experimenting with new techniques of dealing with conflict, such as preventive diplomacy, and humanitarian intervention.

Benefits

It is vital for defence and national security professionals to be conversant with the new security concepts and strategic theories, as well as be well-acquainted with the intricacies of strategic planning, design and policy analysis. Such knowledge is also useful for corporate planners grappling with the complexities of the current security paradigms.

Content

The MSc (Strategic Studies) programme has been specially designed to cover a broad spectrum of issues, including:

• The key concepts and issues underpinning defence polices and strategies

• Core security issues in the Indo-Pacific region

• The nexus between non-traditional security issues and the use of force

• The challenge that terrorism poses to regional and national security

• The challenge that technological development poses to strategic policy