GV517-6-AU-CO:
International Security Studies
2016/17
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
15
-
Requisites for this module
GV103 or GV214
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
The field of security studies has increasingly gained importance over the last decades. This process did not end with the Cold War, but in fact security studies received even more attention afterwards due to 'conventional' wars and 'unconventional' engagements such as peacekeeping missions, counterinsurgency operations and the 'war on terror.'
In light of this, while old conflicts are reigniting and new ones emerging, the scholarly literature and policy-makers debate about 'changes' to concepts of security, the redundancy of military force, military 'transformation' and so forth. Issues such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, asymmetric warfare and others have received greater prominence than previously. Generally, the (traditional) realist preoccupation of superpower nuclear conflict is no longer perceived as a realistic option, however, and the academic and policy discussions have been dominated by a more varied set of considerations since the end of the Cold War: for example, the nature of security, strategy, the centrality of the state and the balance between military and non-military aspects of security.
This module explores these and several other related issues from a broad range of theoretical and empirical perspectives. It is divided into three sections. First, we study some of the general and most important theoretical arguments in the security-studies literature. This establishes a common theoretical background. The second part deals with issues of military security in depth, both theoretically and empirically: for instance, intelligence, defence technology, arms control and US military power. Finally, we look at a wide variety of contemporary issues in the third section of the module. These include the role of the UN in security, traditional and modern peacekeeping, post-conflict reconstruction, Middle Eastern and Asian security as well as the role of NATO and the EU, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and terrorism.
The module can be taken as a final year option for undergraduate students and as an option for postgraduates. This document provides all essential details about the module. It also contains the basic list of readings. Students should retain it for the duration of the module.
No information available.
No information available.
Priority is given to IR & Politics, Mod History & IR and Politics students who have taken GV103 or GV214
One-hour lecture and one-hour class per week for 10 weeks in the Autumn Term
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
100% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 90 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Tobias Bohmelt
Dr Tobias Bohmelt, tbohmelt@essex.ac.uk
Module Administrator: Sallyann West, sawest@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Kaat Smets
Royal Holloway, University of London
Lecturer in Politics
Available via Moodle
Of 40 hours, 38 (95%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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