The course will review the moral and political imperatives, as well as the theoretical justifications advanced for the counter-intuitive enterprise of arms control in an anarchical international system.  It will consider the origins, negotiation and outcomes of selected treaties representative of the models that are now in place.  It will also examine the evolution of thinking about and the contribution of technological developments to the challenge of verification.  Finally, the course will consider the prospects for and possible ramifications of the revived ambition to eliminate nuclear weapons.

To acquaint participants with the accumulated experience with arms control in terms of political preconditions, negotiating strategies, verification and implementation, and political and security outcomes.  This exposure will benefit participants (including potential practitioners in government) in assessing contemporary arms control efforts and in positioning these endeavours relative to their own primary fields of interest.

Assignments 60%, Examination 40%

Students undertaking this course could expect a workload of 10 hours a week. This is inclusive of actual contact hours for lectures and also out of class preparation time.

Permission of the course coordinator

Knowledge of the features of the contemporary international security environment.

Core reading materials will be available as an e-brick.