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PL20725: Conflict and international security

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
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: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80%
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:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:

* To provide students with the theoretical and conceptual tools with which to think critically and analytically about contemporary international conflict and security;
* to explore the nature of contemporary conflict and security by analysing specific policy issues in regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia;
* to be able to understand and explain the causes of war and the conditions of peace in the international system.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this unit will:
* understand the main academic and scholarly debates on international conflict and security;
* have a good knowledge of the contemporary international security agenda;
* understand the dynamics of conflict and insecurity in key regions in the international system;
* understand the causes of war and conflict and the conditions of peace.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit.

Content:
Lectures and seminars will cover the following main topics:
* theories and concepts in international conflict and security
* sovereignty and humanitarian intervention (case-study: the Balkans)
* nuclear proliferation, ballistic missiles and WMD (case-study: North Korea, Iran and Iraq)
* international terrorism (case-study: 9/11 and Al Qaeda)
* failed states, poverty and under-development (case-study: Africa)
* conflict in the Greater Middle East
* Great Power politics (case-study: East Asia)
* war and peace in the twenty-first century.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL20725 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AAB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AFB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AKB29 : BSc (hons) Politics with International Relations (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2

PL20725 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Economics and Politics (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc (hons) Economics and Politics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA (hons) French and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA (hons) German and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA (hons) Russian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA (hons) Spanish and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Politics with Economics (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* 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.