Course in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems
Online 300-hour course in ethical history of command and control systems. 6 modules covering Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Article 57 (precautions in attack), DoD Directive 3000.09 (autonomy in weapon systems) and Zotero. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define the fundamental concepts of command and control.
Describe the technological evolution from telegraphy to radio.
Analyse the automation of command during the Cold War.
Explain the transformations of the information age in decision-making.
Evaluate the ethical challenges of AI in command and control.
Relate historical episodes to current debates on human control.
Develop a historical-ethical analysis of a command and control system.
Who it's for
- Researcher in the history of technology who wishes to specialise in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems.
- Command and control systems analyst who wishes to specialise in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems.
- Defence AI ethics adviser who wishes to specialise in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems.
- Engineering history lecturer who wishes to specialise in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems.
- Security policy analyst who wishes to specialise in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems.
- Human factors consultant who wishes to specialise in Ethical History of Command and Control Systems.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter academia and research.
What you'll work with
- Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Article 57 (precautions in attack)
- DoD Directive 3000.09 (autonomy in weapon systems)
- NATO Principles for the Responsible Use of AI (2021)
- UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021)
- NATO Architecture Framework (NAF v4)
- Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Definition of command and control (C2)1.2Boyd's OODA loop1.3Centralised command and mission command1.4Auftragstaktik and its tradition1.5Evolution from C2 to C4ISR1.6Information and decision theory1.7Friction and the fog of war1.8Command responsibility in law1.9Human factors in decision-making1.10Workshop: comparison of C2 models
2.1Telegraphy in the American Civil War2.2Communications in the First World War2.3Radio and manoeuvre warfare2.4Cryptography: Enigma and Ultra2.5Radar and the Dowding system2.6Naval combat information centres2.7Ethics of secrecy and deception2.8Communications and the civilian population2.9Lessons on command overload2.10Case study: the Dowding system in the Battle of Britain
3.1The SAGE system and the first computer network3.2Early warning and nuclear deterrence3.3The 1983 incident and Stanislav Petrov3.4NORAD false alarms of 1979 and 19803.5Nuclear command and control and the two-key principle3.6The Perimetr system and automation debates3.7Vietnam and centralised management3.8Perrow's normal accident theory3.9Ethics of decision-making under time pressure3.10Case study: analysis of the Petrov incident
4.1Network-centric warfare4.2The Gulf War and situational awareness4.3The shooting down of Iran Air Flight 655 and the Aegis system4.4Patriot fratricide in 20034.5Automation bias and trust4.6Drones and remote command4.7Information overload and fatigue4.8Distributed responsibility4.9Official reports and lessons learned4.10Case study: the USS Vincennes incident
5.1AI-supported decision support systems5.2Meaningful human control5.3CCW debate on lethal autonomous systems5.4US Department of Defense Directive 3000.095.5NATO principles for responsible AI5.6Decision speed and strategic stability5.7Cyberattacks against C2 systems5.8Ethics of delegating decisions5.9Prospective scenarios and prudence5.10Workshop: structured debate on automation of command
6.1Selecting a historical C2 episode6.2Searching for primary and secondary sources6.3Technical reconstruction of the system6.4Timeline of decisions6.5Ethical analysis of responsibilities6.6Comparison with current systems6.7Conclusions and applicable lessons6.8Design recommendations6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Zotero, NVivo, Timeline JS, Gephi, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Coursework is based on real procedures for analysing historical sources, case studies of automated decision-making and ethical debate seminars. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Define the fundamental concepts of command and control.
Describe the technological evolution from telegraphy to radio.
Analyse the automation of command during the Cold War.
Explain the transformations of the information age in decision-making.
Evaluate the ethical challenges of AI in command and control.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
The course uses Zotero, NVivo, Timeline JS and Gephi. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own-award diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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