module specification

By the end of the module you will

1. Appreciate what is at stake in security, both as a theoretical concept and as an ontological category.

2. Gain an understanding of how the concept of security has been rearticulated and challenged in our contemporary context through an engagement with some of the most pressing issues of our day.

3. Be able to question the ethical dimensions of the Westphalian order based on notions of sovereignty and narrow State interests and determine whether theories highlighting human emancipation need to be strengthened.

4. Be able to demonstrate a grasp of public policy, especially the processes and structures of decision-making in the area of international security.

5. Be able to examine the contemporary themes in international security, such as the legacy of the Cold War, the impact of terrorism, the proliferation of dangerous weapons, the rise of great powers, the impact of globalisation, the rise of failed states, mass migration, and climate change.

None; Suitable for Study Abroad students

PART 1: THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS OF SECURITY STUDIES – LO 1,2,3,4,5,6

1. Traditional Definitions of Security. The State as the referent object.
2. Shifting the focus away from the State as referent object – deepening the concept and considering the individual. Critical Security Studies
3. Feminist approaches to security
4. Human Security

PART 2: TRADITIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS – LO 1,2,3,4,5

5. The Causes of War
6. Collective Security, Peacekeeping, Peace Enforcement, and Humanitarian Intervention. Historical Evolution and Development. The promise or otherwise of Multilateralism.
7. The Theory of Deterrence and Nuclear Proliferation in the post-Cold War Era.

PART 3: NON TRADITIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS – LO 1,2,3,4,5,6

8. Failed States, the “New Wars Thesis”, the impact of Globalization and the Private Security Sector.
9. Environment and Climate Change as a Security concern
10. Postcolonial Security and the problems with Eurocentrism
11. Concluding Remarks. Present and Future directions

Learning and teaching combines lectures, seminars and workshops. Lectures and seminars will focus upon both contrasting Security Studies theories and on contextualising the emergence and evolution of different schools of thought. Workshops will be used to develop students’ ability to explore research methodologies relevant to their own research interests. Teaching and learning will lay emphasis on students studying key texts.

Reflective and independent learning is encouraged through the research and writing of an Essay and a Country Report, but also through interactive lectures and seminar discussions.

The module makes extensive use of blended learning, primarily through its dedicated Weblearn site. This includes interactive mail and discussion tools, module information, PowerPoint slides, full reading lists, key texts including importantly Recorded Lectures.

Students will be required to attend all classes, to engage in the set activities, to prepare in advance by attempting assigned readings, to complete coursework by deadlines, and to reflect and act on the feedback they receive.

Materials for use in class are posted in advance online to allow students time to reflect on the subject and prepare. Questions for class discussion are available in advance through the Weblearn site and a module booklet. These also include an extensive list of resources that students can use to address the questions asked and understand the nature of the security challenges in greater depth.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

1. Appreciate the rich diversity in current approaches to Security Studies

2. Gain an understanding of the historical development of the discourses in Security.

3. Assess the theoretical, historical, and scientific explanations for the causes of war.

4. Evaluate the capabilities and limitations of military power as an instrument of policy.

5. Understand the sources of conflict and co-operation in the international system.

6. Gain an understanding of the place of Security Studies as a sub-discipline of International Relations

1. A take-home Country Report: This assignment is designed to give students a high degree of flexibility in that it allows them to choose a specific country / state and conduct detailed research into its security dynamics during a specified time period since the end of the Cold War. The students will be expected to analyse the state taking into account the conceptual and theoretical tools available within the discipline and this will enable the module leader to ensure that they have grasped the key issues in the various debates and can critically assess the strengths and possible weaknesses of the arguments of the protagonists in the debates: (2500 words – 50%)

2. A take-home Essay: students are required to choose a question from a series of essay questions, conduct detailed research and write a concise and focused research paper which achieves in addressing the question directly. (2500 words – 50%)

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/73FB644A-2EB9-2017-7E48-F568C8C4D70A.html?lang=en&login=1

Websites

• E-International Relations - http://www.e-ir.info – One of the best open access websites for students and scholars of International Relations and Security Studies.
• The International Institute for Strategic Studies - https://www.iiss.org/
• The Centre for Strategic and International Studies - https://www.csis.org/
• The European Union Institute for Security Studies - https://www.iss.europa.eu/
• Royal United Services Institute - https://rusi.org/
• The Centre for Science and Security Studies at Kings College London - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/csss
• Center for Security Studies – ETH Zurich – https://css.ethz.ch/en/services.html
• Institute for Security Studies / Africa - https://issafrica.org/
• Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) – https://cup.columbia.edu/reference/ciao
• The RAND Corporation – https://www.rand.org/
• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute - https://www.sipri.org/
• Strategic Studies Institute – https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/
• United States Institute of Peace – https://www.usip.org/
• http://apcss.org/ - Asia / Pacific Centre for Security Studies