BSSn4459 Strategies of insurgency and counterinsurgency

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 7 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jan Kleiner, Ph.D. (lecturer)
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
Timetable
Mon 14:00–15:40 P24b
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! BSS459 Strategies of insurgency && !NOW( BSS459 Strategies of insurgency )
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 insurgent strategies 4. Historical legacy of counterinsurgent strategies 5. Contemporary strategies of insurgency 6. Contemporary strategies of counterinsurgency 7.-9. Expert lecturers and discussions I.-III. 10. - 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
  • 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. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010, x, 251. ISBN 9780199737499. info
    recommended literature
  • 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
  • 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
  • KLEINER, Jan and Ondřej ŠUPKA. The Myanmar Conflict : A Role of Cyberspace in Counterinsurgency. International Journal of Cyber Criminology. 2020, vol. 14, No 1, p. 254-266. ISSN 0974-2891. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3752991. Odkaz na celé číslo časopisu, Text článku info
  • HOLZER, Jan; Martin LARYŠ and Miroslav MAREŠ. Militant Right-Wing Extremism in Putin’s Russia : Legacies, Forms and Threats. 1. vyd. London: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2019, 292 pp. Post-Soviet Politics. ISBN 978-1-138-59251-3. web nakladatele info
  • ŠMÍD, Tomáš and Miroslav MAREŠ. 'Kadyrovtsy’: Russia’s Counterinsurgency Strategy and the Wars of Paramilitary Clans. Journal of Strategic Studies. 2015, vol. 38, No 5, p. 650-677. ISSN 0140-2390. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2014.942035. URL 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
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: Presentation of the own position paper: Presentation of essential findings from position paper (1200-1400 characters including spaces) in the certain seminars first half of the semester (max 6 points): A list of discussion topics will be available at the beginning of the semester. Each student has to choose one topic from the list. The student must discuss the subject in the position paper, point out important information, come up with clear arguments and criticism, develop the topic, etc. The position paper will be uploaded to the specific file in the information system at least 6 hours before the class presentation. The position paper will be written in the essay form. 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 a scientific article) should be written on the topic relevant to the course (length 35 000 – 40 000 characters, including spaces, literature, and references; a more extended thesis only after consultation with the lecturer). The topic of the final paper and the date of presentation of its outline specifies the lecturer (about its topic). The presentation should include 1) a brief description of the topic, 2) research goals, 3) methods, and theories of concepts 4) structure 5) expected results, and 6) sources. Components of evaluation of the final paper are 1) original author´s approach and contribution, 2) relevant goals, 3) methods and theoretical/conceptual background, 4) comprehensive analysis of the topic, 5) structure, 6) sources and literature. The date of the presentation depends on the lecturer´s decision. An individual or two students can write the final paper. Deadline for submission: 1st June. Use this formatting: https://cds.fss.muni.cz/current-students/master-s-thesis (applied to this course). Final oral exam (max. 30 points): There will be a final oral exam consisting of two questions based on the required readings and the discussions in class. Grading: At least ¼ points from each part are necessary for this course (2 from position paper, 2 from the outline, 5 from the final written paper, and 8 from the final oral exam). 56-60: A 51-55: B 46-50: C 41-45: D 36-40: E 0-35: F
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Utilizing AI: In this course, we permit and encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within the framework of strict ethical standards and academic integrity. Students are responsible for using AI ethically, ensuring the originality of their work, and transparently acknowledging AI assistance. Ethical transgressions, including plagiarism or misrepresentation, will be critically reviewed and may lead to disciplinary actions, such as failing grades or suspension, under the university's disciplinary policies. It is each student's responsibility to critically assess the integrity and ethical standing of their AI-generated content, maintaining a commitment to honesty, fairness, and respect for intellectual property.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024, Spring 2026.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
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