Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EU50661 International security |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: This unit aims to:
* Identify and analyse the main currents in the academic and policy debate on international security; * Study and assess the utility and explanatory power of different theories and approaches to international security; * To explore the nature of contemporary international security by analysing specific policy issues in regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia and Africa; * Examine the security role of states, international organisations and non-state actors in the contemporary international system; * Discuss the main security challenges facing Europe and the role of the EU, NATO and individual states in addressing them; * Develop skills in international political analysis and in conducting seminars. Learning Outcomes: Students who complete the unit successfully will be able to demonstrate that they: * Have acquired a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights in contemporary international security studies, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of this field of study; * A comprenhensive understanding of the techniques of investigation and analysis applicable to the study of international security; * Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in international security studies * Conceptual knowledge that enables students to both evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in international security studies, and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses. Skills: The key skills the unit will hone and further develop are: * Advanced research skills in identifying, locating and exploiting a wide range of descriptive, evaluative and theoretical literature. * Intellectual skills of conceptual, original and independent thinking, critical analysis, synthesis and reasoned argument. * Skills of assessment and judgement in relation to the soundness of competing arguments and scenarios, including the reporting and assessing of qualitative and quantitative data. * Generic and transferable skills related to the oral and written presentation of ideas. * Skills of self-direction, self-evaluation and time management. Content: * Introduction: what is 'International Security'? * Theoretical Approaches to the study of international security * Great Power and Security: Realist Approaches * International Organisations as providers of Security * Russia, Energy Security and the new 'Great Game' in Central Asia * Terrorism, Religion and the 'Clash of Civilisations' * Proliferation and Weapons of Mass Destruction * Africa: 'New Wars' and Human Security * Military Power and International Security * The EU as an International Security Actor * Europe and the Greater Middle East. |