Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
EU50661 International security |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: ES 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; * 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, in preparing briefing papers on case studies, and in conducting seminars. Learning Outcomes: Students who complete the unit successfully will be able to demonstrate that they: * Have acquired knowledge of the key theories and concepts in the study, understanding, and analysis of international security issues; * Are aware of major academic and policy debates about the nature of international security and contemporary threats to international peace and security; * Can apply this knowledge and awareness to a wide range of international security-related issues and write analytically and critically about them. 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: Part I: Security and the International System * Introduction: what is 'International Security'? * Theoretical Approaches to the study of international security * Great Power Politics: security competition or cooperative security? * International Organisations as providers of Collective Security Part II: Contemporary Security Issues * Energy Security: Russia and the new 'Great Game' * Terrorism: 9/11 and the 'war on terror' * Proliferation and Weapons of Mass Destruction * Africa: 'New Wars' and Human Security Part III: The EU and International Security * The EU as an International Security Actor * Europe and the Greater Middle East. |