module specification

The module is designed to provide you with an understanding of security in both its international and national settings and to teach you the basic theories and research techniques useful for analysing and testing different conceptual approaches. The Module will provide a basic understanding of various conceptual approaches to security, such as explanations of war, deterrence, arms races and arms control, proliferation, and collective security. It will also assess the relevance of the various security concepts to the contemporary post-Cold War world. New threats such as Global Terrorism, climate change, the role of the United Nations and the implications of the spread of weapons of mass destruction will be analysed with a view to furthering understanding of global security.

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 good 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, climate change, the proliferation of dangerous weapons, the rise of great powers and the impact of globalisation

There are no pre-requisites.

PART 1: THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS OF SECURITY STUDIES (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

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

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

The Causes of War
Collective Security, Peacekeeping, Peace Enforcement, and Humanitarian Intervention. Historical Evolution and Development. The promise or otherwise of Multilateralism.
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)

Failed States, the “New Wars Thesis”, the impact of Globalization and the Private Security Sector.
Environment and Climate Change as a Security concern
Concluding Remarks. Present and Future Conflicts

Learning and teaching combine recorded lectures and webinars. Lectures will focus upon both contrasting IR theories and on contextualising the emergence and evolution of different schools of thought. Online materials will be used to develop a 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 lectures, guided reading, and the research and writing of the Research Essay and a Regional Report. As well as independent learning, students will be expected to work together as partners, in co-created spaces, learning from each other and building on their studies

The module makes extensive use of blended learning, primarily through its dedicated Weblearn site. This includes interactive mail and discussion tools, module information, recorded lectures, PowerPoint slides, full reading lists, and scanned copies of key texts.

Students will be required to complete coursework by deadlines, and to reflect and act on the feedback they receive.

On successful completion of this module students 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. Evaluate the capabilities and limitations of military power as an instrument of policy.
4. Understand the sources of conflict and co-operation in the international system.
5. Gain an understanding of the place of Security Studies as a sub-discipline of International Relations.

There are two summative assessments for this module:

1. A Regional Report: This assignment is designed to give students a high degree of flexibility in that it allows them to choose and define a geographical region and conduct detailed research into the security dynamics since the end of the Cold War. The students will be expected to analyse the region 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: (2000 words – 40%)
2. A Research 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 – 60%)

-