POL42060

This seminar will introduce you to the major themes and debates in the contemporary study of International Security, including such fundamental questions as what is security in the first place, where can and should it be located, who can it belong to, can it ever fully be achieved, and does it require the possibility of violence or does this prevent “true” security from ever being realised? We will explore a range of issues, theoretical approaches, and debates, regarding the causes, management, and ending of conflicts, the possibility of ‘peace’, and the impact of a changing world. By the end of the module, you will have a general overview of the literature in contemporary security studies. You should also have acquired a set of conceptual tools that can be used for understanding the causes and courses of conflict, its impact on a variety of actors, and how peace might be achieved. In addition, you should be familiar with the main issues confronting contemporary policy-makers in the field of international security, and be equipped to conduct independent research on contemporary security issues and debates.