This course investigates the concept of security and the nature of security studies in relation to world politics. It has the aim of familiarising students with contemporary debates about global security and the forces in world politics which either threaten or contribute to global security. It begins by considering the contested meanings given to ‘security' and how these figure in thinking about how the globe is best secured. It is then organised into three sections. The first considers the current predominance of the United States in shaping world order, how this might change with a return to great power rivalry, and the continuing presence of nuclear weapons. The second section investigates some currently perceived threats to international security including the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Islamist terrorism, the implications of the war in Iraq for global security, and the impact of climate change coupled with the scarcity of vital resources. Section three turns to discussion of some of the challenges to achieving human security. Included in this is humanitarian intervention linked to the Responsibility to Protect, the Security Council and the example of Darfur. Following this is an examination of the nexus between security and development drawing on the case of Afghanistan, and finally the particular issue of child soldiers. The course closes by discussing assessments of the outlook for global security in the Twenty First century and suggestions about how it might be sustained and improved.

The course is assessed through two essays and a closed book three hour examination. The total number of written words required across these three tasks is 10,000 to 12,000 words. The first essay is a 1,000 word paper due in the second week of March and counts for 20% of the final grade. Its purpose is to give early feedback and identify areas in which particular students may need extra tuition.

The second essay, due in late May, is 5,000 to 6,000 words in length and has three components written in stages. An annotated bibliography, an essay plan, and the essay itself. This accounts for 50% of the overall grade for the course with the final 30% coming from the exam. 

Each of these assessment tasks relates to the learning outcomes for the course. They have the purpose of gauging a student's grasp of concepts of security, ability to assimilate complex materials, identify significant questions about global security is and write about with clarity within set limits.

12 hours per week: two for seminar attendance, and ten for reading and writing. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.

Pre/corequisites:

Students must have met the entry requirements for the Graduate Studies in International Affairs Program  

It is recommended that students have a background in political science, history or another suitable social science.

htttp://www.humansecurityreport.info

http://www.humansecuritygateway.info/

Kofi Annan, ‘ ‘In larger Freedom' : Decision Time at the UN' , Foreign Affairs, 25 April, 2005.

Georg Sorensen, ‘What Kind of World Order ? The Internaitonal System in the New Millennium', Cooperation and Conflict 41 No. 4 2006.

Delivery Mode:

Semester 2 2010. The course is conducted through seminars with an emphasis on interactive teaching aimed at engaging all students in active participation.