T H E
SOCIAL CODEX
Knowledge, Structured.
International Security & Strategic Studies
I S S S
Comprehensive Course Summary
VUB Master’s Programme
Spring 2026
INSIDE TH IS SUMMARY
· All 11 lectures fully summarised, slide-by-slide
· Integrated readings: Schelling, Clausewitz, Freedman, Harrison, Mahnken, Fiott,
Verstraete
THE SOCIAL CODEX · Knowledge, Structured.
,· Wargame walkthrough with all three rounds and AARs
· Cross-cutting themes for exam preparation
· Full glossary and sample exam questions with model answers
· Theorist profiles, key definitions and exam tips throughout
THE SOCIAL CODEX · Knowledge, Structured.
, T HE SO CIAL CODE X ISSS — Course Summary
How to Use This Summary
This summary follows the order of lectures as they were delivered in the ISSS course. Each chapter
restates the topic, reproduces every key slide point in study-note form, integrates the assigned readings,
and closes with takeaways and likely exam angles.
The format is designed for active studying: scan the section headings to navigate, focus on burgundy-
highlighted key terms when revising, and use the cream-coloured theorist boxes to anchor each tradition in
a person. Gold-bordered exam-tip boxes appear at strategic intervals to flag the questions the examiner
most likely wants you to answer.
EXAM TIP
The ISSS exam is oral: three questions (concepts · analysis · current events) in 10–15 minutes
with no preparation time, weighing 75% of the grade (the memo is 25%). You should be able to
articulately discuss every slide, explain all key concepts, and see and explain the links between
sessions. This summary is structured to help you do exactly that.
Course Architecture & Schedule
The ISSS course is a strategy crash-course that uses the modern sovereign state as its centre of gravity and
then expands outward to deterrence, nuclear weapons, defence industry, operations and command &
control, readiness, and the European defence build-up.
Date Topic
12 Feb 2026 Introduction: States as security providers
19 Feb 2026 Arms control in the new security environment
26 Feb 2026 The role of nuclear weapons in international security
5 March 2026 The logic of deterrence
12 March 2026 Defence technological & industrial base
19 March 2026 Military operations / Command and control
The Social Codex · Knowledge, Structured. Page 1 of 62
, T HE SO CIAL CODE X ISSS — Course Summary
Date Topic
26 March 2026 International organisations in international security
2 April 2026 Sustaining the military: human resources
23 April 2026 Defence build-up in Europe & conflict simultaneity
30 April 2026 Wargame — intro + round 1
7 May 2026 Wargame — rounds 2 & 3 + AAR
13 May 2026 Wrap-up / conclusion: "ready for take-off?"
Evaluation Structure
25% written memo (600–750 words) in BLUF format on the Munich Security Conference; 75% oral
exam on campus consisting of 3 questions of 5 points each, delivered in 10–15 minutes with no
preparation time.
Course Aims
• Equip students with a conceptual toolkit for international security.
• Develop familiarity with strategic studies as a (sub)discipline.
• Apply an interdisciplinary approach to defence and security policy analysis.
Popular Criticisms of Strategic Studies (and the Rebuttals)
• "Obsessed with war" → sure, but there is more to it than that.
• "Not scholarly enough" → practice still requires rigour.
• "Strategy is immoral" → healthy civ–mil relations require strategic thinking.
The Social Codex · Knowledge, Structured. Page 2 of 62
SOCIAL CODEX
Knowledge, Structured.
International Security & Strategic Studies
I S S S
Comprehensive Course Summary
VUB Master’s Programme
Spring 2026
INSIDE TH IS SUMMARY
· All 11 lectures fully summarised, slide-by-slide
· Integrated readings: Schelling, Clausewitz, Freedman, Harrison, Mahnken, Fiott,
Verstraete
THE SOCIAL CODEX · Knowledge, Structured.
,· Wargame walkthrough with all three rounds and AARs
· Cross-cutting themes for exam preparation
· Full glossary and sample exam questions with model answers
· Theorist profiles, key definitions and exam tips throughout
THE SOCIAL CODEX · Knowledge, Structured.
, T HE SO CIAL CODE X ISSS — Course Summary
How to Use This Summary
This summary follows the order of lectures as they were delivered in the ISSS course. Each chapter
restates the topic, reproduces every key slide point in study-note form, integrates the assigned readings,
and closes with takeaways and likely exam angles.
The format is designed for active studying: scan the section headings to navigate, focus on burgundy-
highlighted key terms when revising, and use the cream-coloured theorist boxes to anchor each tradition in
a person. Gold-bordered exam-tip boxes appear at strategic intervals to flag the questions the examiner
most likely wants you to answer.
EXAM TIP
The ISSS exam is oral: three questions (concepts · analysis · current events) in 10–15 minutes
with no preparation time, weighing 75% of the grade (the memo is 25%). You should be able to
articulately discuss every slide, explain all key concepts, and see and explain the links between
sessions. This summary is structured to help you do exactly that.
Course Architecture & Schedule
The ISSS course is a strategy crash-course that uses the modern sovereign state as its centre of gravity and
then expands outward to deterrence, nuclear weapons, defence industry, operations and command &
control, readiness, and the European defence build-up.
Date Topic
12 Feb 2026 Introduction: States as security providers
19 Feb 2026 Arms control in the new security environment
26 Feb 2026 The role of nuclear weapons in international security
5 March 2026 The logic of deterrence
12 March 2026 Defence technological & industrial base
19 March 2026 Military operations / Command and control
The Social Codex · Knowledge, Structured. Page 1 of 62
, T HE SO CIAL CODE X ISSS — Course Summary
Date Topic
26 March 2026 International organisations in international security
2 April 2026 Sustaining the military: human resources
23 April 2026 Defence build-up in Europe & conflict simultaneity
30 April 2026 Wargame — intro + round 1
7 May 2026 Wargame — rounds 2 & 3 + AAR
13 May 2026 Wrap-up / conclusion: "ready for take-off?"
Evaluation Structure
25% written memo (600–750 words) in BLUF format on the Munich Security Conference; 75% oral
exam on campus consisting of 3 questions of 5 points each, delivered in 10–15 minutes with no
preparation time.
Course Aims
• Equip students with a conceptual toolkit for international security.
• Develop familiarity with strategic studies as a (sub)discipline.
• Apply an interdisciplinary approach to defence and security policy analysis.
Popular Criticisms of Strategic Studies (and the Rebuttals)
• "Obsessed with war" → sure, but there is more to it than that.
• "Not scholarly enough" → practice still requires rigour.
• "Strategy is immoral" → healthy civ–mil relations require strategic thinking.
The Social Codex · Knowledge, Structured. Page 2 of 62
