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PL50764: International security: the contemporary agenda

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take PL50763
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
This unit aims to:
* Identify and analyse the main currents in the academic and policy debate on the contemporary international security agenda;
* 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;
* To analyse the nature and significance of contemporary international security issues such as the use of military force, proliferation, environmental security and the 'clash of civilisations';
* Examine the security role of states, international organisations and non-state actors in the contemporary international system;
* 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 the contemporary international security agenda, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of this field of study;
* A comprehensive understanding of the techniques of investigation and analysis applicable to the study of contemporary international security issues;
* 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 judgment 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: International Security in the Twenty-First Century (AHP)
* International Organisations and international security (GLG)
* Proliferation and Weapons of Mass Destruction (AK)
* Terrorism, Religion and the 'Clash of Civilisations' (SMT)
* Military power and international security (AHP)
* Central Asia: The 'War on Terror' and the new great game (AHP)
* Africa: ‘New Wars’ and Human Security (AHP)
* The Middle East (AHP)
* Latin America (GLG)
* Asia (AK).
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL50764 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

PL50764 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM16 : MA Contemporary European Studies: Politics Policy and Society (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM17 : MA Contemporary European Studies (with transatlantic track) (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM24 : MA Contemporary Transatlantic Studies (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM20 : MA International Relations (Full-time)
  • THPL-AFM22 : MA International Relations and European Politics (Full-time)
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THXX-AFM48 : MRes Security, Conflict & Justice (Full-time)
  • THXX-AFM49 : MRes Security, Conflict & Justice (Full-time)
  • THSP-AFM13 : MSc International Public Policy Analysis (Full-time)
  • THSP-APM13 : MSc International Public Policy Analysis (Part-time)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.