PIR-10060 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2024/25

What is security? Whose security do we refer to: `national securityż, `international securityż, `human securityż, or `environmental securityż? What and how some issues become part of security agendas?
This module critically engages with the above questions, thus introducing students to the sub-field of security studies. Its starting point is that security may mean different things to different people, but that security and global politics and intertwined. Indeed, studying security is key to understanding contemporary global politics, whether we talk about the risks of (nuclear) war, environmental catastrophes, health and disease, gender and identity, welfare and development, race and racism, terrorism and so forth

This module equips students with key concepts as well as a range of theoretical perspectives in security studies in order to make sense of contemporary security discourses and practices in global politics. The module is run for ten weeks, through weekly lectures accompanied by one-hour seminars in which students are encouraged to play an active part in activities and discussions which include group works and simulations exercises.

1) To introduce students to the literature and recent developments in the field of security studies.
2) To consolidate study and transferable skills such as critical analysis and creative presentation, which would be necessary for future modules, and in line with the programme assessment strategy and Keeleżs learning principles.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically analyse major security themes in contemporary global politics.: 1,2
Demonstrate the ability to recognise and apply theories and approaches through which security issues can be understood and analysed.: 1,2
Demonstrate the ability to present in a clear and creative way the operations of securitization theory as applied to a particular security theme.: 1
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse contemporary security challenges in a written form.: 2

Study hours

10 hours lectures
10 hours seminars
30 hours preparation for the lectures and seminars
30 hours researching and writing/creating the poster.
70 hours researching and writing the essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment