PL50764: International security: the contemporary agenda
[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]
| Academic Year: | 2021/2 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
|
| Assessment Summary: | CW 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
|
| Supplementary Assessment: |
|
| Requisites: | Before taking this module you must take PL50763 |
| 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). |
| Programme availability: |
PL50764 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
PL50764 is Optional (DEU) on the following programmes:Department of Social & Policy Sciences
PL50764 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
|
Notes:
|