Deterrence Theory and Practice: Foundations and Challenges Through the Lens of Eastern Europe 3620-LIC3-WMJA-DTP
tydzień 1-7.12.2025 (4h)
Class 1: Tuesday (Dec. 2) at 18:30-20:00
- Getting Started: Introductions and Course Basics
Class 2: Wednesday (Dec. 3) at 13:15-14:45
- War and Sovereignty
tydzień 8-14.12.2025 (6h)
Class 3: Monday (Dec. 8) at 13:15
- Why is war a policy option?
Class 4: Tuesday (Dec. 9) at 18:30
- Classical and Modern Deterrence Theory
Class 5: Wednesday (Dec. 10) at 13:15
- Extended Deterrence Theory
tydzień 15-21.12.2025 (6h)
Class 6: Monday (Dec. 15) at 13:15
- Trump and Eastern European Security
Class 7: Tuesday (Dec. 16)
- Deterrence through Practice (In-class Activity)
Class 8: Wednesday (Dec. 17)
***Exam I***
tydzień 5-11.1.2026 (2h)
Class 9: Wednesday (Jan. 7) at 13:15
- Deterrence by Denial
tydzień 12-18.1.2026 (6h)
Class 10: Monday (Jan. 12) at 13:15
- Intrawar Deterrence
Class 11: Tuesday (Jan. 13) at 18:15
- Data Politics
Class 12: Wednesday (Jan. 14) at 13:15
- Cyber Deterrence
tydzień 19-25.1.2026 (6h)
Class 13: Monday (Jan. 19) at 13:15
- Private Military Companies
Class 14: Tuesday (Jan. 20) at 18:30
- Economic Deterrence
Class 15: Wednesday (Jan. 21) at 13:15
***Exam II***
Type of course
Learning outcomes
The course provides a foundational basis in both classical and conventional deterrence theory
and practice before moving to its various extensions and implications, including the logic of
mutually assured destruction and the stability-instability paradox. The class discusses the
challenges of deterrence and considers current practices on deterrence.
Assessment criteria
Course Grade Distribution:
Midterm Exam - 35%
Final Exam - 40%
Attendance - 10%
News Brief (2) - 10%
In-Class Activity - 5%
Attendance and Preparedness:
Regular attendance during the course is expected and students are asked to participate meaningfully in class. I reserve the right to call on students by name to check if you are present and if you have done the readings. I may also distribute an attendance sheet. This means you must show up on time and stay for the entire class. I do not take attendance every class, but I will take a sample to estimate overall attendance.
Assessment:
4.1. News brief: A student will offer a concise summary of, and state the significance of two recent news items that directly contribute to the themes and the countries that we’ll be discussing in the class session.
4.2 In-Class Activity: Attendance and participation in the in-class activity are mandatory.
Active involvement will be evaluated as part of the assignment.
4.3 Midterm Exam: The midterm exam will take place during regular class time. The exam includes all material and readings covered before the exam.
4.4. Final Exam: The final exam will take place during regular class time. The exam includes all material and readings covered after the Midterm exam.
Make-up Policy.
If you fail to submit assignments before the deadline, I will allow for a makeup by completing a newly created assignment ⇐⇒ (if, and only if) you can document the reason for your inability to complete assignment that it was beyond your control to submit during the week the assignment is
open for submission. I require a note from a doctor, judge, etc, if you are sick or were in court. If your car broke down, someone in your family needed you to take them to the ER, a sudden death in the family, and similar unfortunate scenarios also all require proof.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: