CDSn4003 Modern Technologies and Conflicts

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jakub Drmola, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marek Dvořáček (assistant)
Mgr. Jan Kleiner, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jakub Drmola, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 12:00–13:40 U42
Prerequisites
Communicative level of english is required for active participation.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to explore both the positive and negative impacts of technological progress on conflicts in the broadest sense.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to understand, think about and evaluate possible or probable impacts of new technologies on human conflicts and warfare.
Syllabus
  • - history of technology and warfare
  • - space security
  • - cyber security
  • - autonomy and artificial intelligence
  • - new weapon systems and materials
  • - medicine and biotechnology
  • - energy and climate change
Literature
    required literature
  • WOOLF, Amy F. (2014): Conventional Prompt Global Strike and Long-Range Ballistic Missiles. Congressional Research Service.
  • KELLER DP, FENG EY, OSCHLIES A, (2014): “Potential climate engineering effectiveness and side effects during a high carbon dioxide-emission scenario.” Nature Communications. 2014 Feb 25;5:3304. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4304
  • GARDNER, Dan (2008): Risk - The Science and Politics of Fear
  • SCHARRE, Paul. Army of none : autonomous weapons and the future of war. First edition. London: W.W. Norton & Company, 2018, ix, 436. ISBN 9780393356588. info
  • KELLY, Kevin. The inevitable : understanding the 12 technological forces that will shape our future. New York: Viking, 2016, vi, 328. ISBN 9780525428084. info
  • SINGER, P. W. and Allan FRIEDMAN. Cybersecurity and cyberwar : what everyone needs to know. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014, viii, 306. ISBN 9780199918119. info
  • LAMBETH, Benjamin S. Mastering the ultimate high ground : next steps in the military uses of space. Santa Monica: RAND, Project Air Force, 2003, xviii, 193. ISBN 0833033301. URL info
Teaching methods
The course consists of mixture of lecturing, discussions, presentations and student activities.
Assessment methods
Grade is based on the final exam, written essay and activity during semester.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2020/CDSn4003