Many courses in our Strategic Studies programmes include case studies and simulated scenarios as part of the curriculum. Through this, students can apply the theories and concepts studied throughout the programme, into actual practice.
Lucy Angus, a current MSc Strategic Studies and Diplomacy student, said these case studies and scenarios helped her build on her theoretical knowledge by applying it to real-world situations. Says Lucy, "the classes gave me opportunity to work collaboratively and across different stages and disciplines, which allowed my studies to benefit from greatly diverse perspectives." Lucy also noted the importance of learning about the various theories and concepts within the context of ongoing strategic affairs, saying this has "given me a robust understanding about the interactions of traditional government institutions with the realities of a quickly changing world."
Terrorism and Counterterrorism
In tutorials for this course, students engaged with the online game ‘Flashpoints: An Interactive Game on Counter-Terrorism’ which puts them in the shoes of journalists, law enforcement, and prosecutors in the aftermath of a terror attack. Students explored the various perspectives and the responses of these individuals and actors to real-world counter-terrorism challenges.
United States Foreign Policy
In this course students have participated in simulated scenarios, usually a Cabinet meeting, where they take on a specific issue and role and make the case to the President for specific courses of action to be taken. Students explore these scenarios from different perspectives, assuming roles which include Secretary of State, CIA Director, and National Security Advisor.
Past scenarios include neutrality in Britain v France, as seen in ‘Cabinet Battle #2’ from Hamilton; McKinley and colonisation of the Philippines; Jimmy Carter on sovereignty of the Panama Canal; and Truman and nuclear weapons in Japan.