BSS459 Strategies of insurgency and counterinsurgency

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 14:00–15:40 M117
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course is intended as an analytical overview of the historical and present strategies of insurgency and counterinsurgency. Various strategies with help of cases studies will be discussed.
Learning outcomes
Students should be able to understand and to analyze insurgency and counterinsurgency at the strategic level. They should be able to compare and to predict the strategic thought in this sphere and to evaluate experiences from insurgent and counterinsurgent activities.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course 2. Conceptualizing of insurgency and counterinsurgency 3. Historical legacy of insurgency and counterinsurgency 4. Contemporary strategies of insurgency 5. Contemporary strategies of counterinsurgency 6.-9. Expert lecturers and discussions I.-IV. 9. - 13. Case studies of insurgency and counterinsurgency I. - IV.
Literature
    required literature
  • Arquilla, John (2007): The End of the War as we Knew It? Insurgency, counterinsurgency and lessons form the forgotten history of early terror networks? Third World Quarterly, Vol. 28, No. 2., pp. 369-386. http://knihovna.fss.muni.cz/ezdroje.php
  • Manwaring, Max. G. (2005): Street Gangs. The New Urban Insurgency. Strategic Studies Institute, 47 p. http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=597
  • Jones, Seth G. (2017): Insurgency Database Codebook. Research Design, Inclusion Criteria and Variables. In Waging Insurgent Warfare: Lessons from the Vietcong to the Islamic State. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1-41, https://www.rand.org/pubs/commerci
  • MAREŠ, Miroslav. Strategies for Creating Insurgencies and Civil Wars in Europe: From Violent Extremism to Paramilitary Conflicts? Jindal Journal of International Affairs. Sonipat: Jindal School of International Affairs, 2012, vol. 2, No 1, p. 90-119, 20 pp. ISSN 2249-8095. URL info
  • The Routledge handbook of insurgency and counterinsurgency. Edited by Paul B. Rich - I. G. B. M. Duyvesteyn. New York: Routledge, 2012, xiii, 381. ISBN 9780415747530. info
  • KILCULLEN, David. Counterinsurgency. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010, x, 251. ISBN 9780199737499. info
    recommended literature
  • Bensahel, Nora (2006): Preventing Insurgencies after Major Combat Operations. Defence Studies, Vol. 6. No. 3, pp. 278-291. http://www.rand.org/pubs/reprints/2007/RAND_RP1242.pdf
  • Gompert, David C./ Gordon John/ Grissom,Adam/ Frelinger, David R./Jones, Seth. G./ Libicki, Martin C./ O'Connell, Edward/ Stearns, Brooke K/. Hunter, Robert E. (2008): War by Other Means. Building Complete and Ballanced Capabilities for Counterinsurgency
  • KILCULLEN, David. Blood year : Islamic state and the failures of the war on terror. First published. London: Hurst and Company, 2016, xi, 288. ISBN 9781849045551. info
  • KILCULLEN, David. Out of the mountains : the coming age of the urban guerrilla. First published. London: Hurst & company, 2013, x, 342. ISBN 9781849045117. info
  • The accidental guerrillafighting small wars in the midst of a big one. Edited by David Kilcullen. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009, xxviii, 34. ISBN 0195368347. info
  • GARDNER, Hall. American global strategy and the "War on Terrorism". Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2005, 231 s. ISBN 0754645126. info
    not specified
  • Extended valid list of literature is in the IS (study materials)
Teaching methods
The course takes the form of both lectures and seminars. There are explained important issues within lectures, which are further discussed during seminars. Presentation of outlines of students' seminar works is a part of a seminar, as well as presentation of the poistion papers (related with literature).
Assessment methods
Students will receive a final letter grade for the semester based on the following components: Reports from expert lecturers (max. 12 points – 3 x 4 points): Students are expected to write reports from 4 expert lectures and discussions (or compensatory activities), which includes information about lecturer(s) or author(s), short description of lecture and following discussion, main strengths and possible weaknesses and personal statement of students towards the topic of lecture. Video can be presented instead lecture. In such case students review this video. Length of the report: 2000-2300 characters. Deadline: one week after the lecture. Presentation of the outline of the final paper (seminary thesis) (max. 6 points) and the final paper (seminary thesis) (max. 18 points). The final paper (in the form of scientific article) should be written to the topic relevant to the course (length 35 000 – 40 000 characters, longer thesis only after consultation with lecturer). The topic of the final paper and date of presentation of its outline specifies lecturer (in relation to its topic). Components of evaluation: original authors approach, relevant goals and methods, theoretical background, conceptualizing of the topic, structure, sources and literature. Date of presentation depends on lecturer´s decision. Final paper can be written by individual student or by two students. Deadline for submission: 1^st June. Final written test (max. 24 points): There will be a final in-class written exam, consisting of four questions based on the required readings and the discussions in class. At least ¼ points from each part is necessary condition in this course (3 from reports, 2 from outline, 5 from final written paper, 6 from final written test). Grading: 56-60: A 51-55: B 46-50: C 41-45: D 36-40: E 0-35: F
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018.
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