PIR-40088 - 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

This module offers an introduction to the analysis of global security. It exposes students to the main theoretical traditions through which security has been understood since the end of World War 2 and focuses in particular in the post Cold War period. The module allows students to understand how shifting conceptions of security are allied to shifting understandings of the state, society, the economy, and culture. It begins with the analysis of traditional understandings of security arising from classical International Relations theory and then focuses on what is known as Critical Security Studies. The course will allow students to engage critically with contemporary debates on security studies.

This module offers an advanced introduction to the main analytical perspectives to the study of contemporary security studies. It aims to allow students to develop a broad view of contending theoretical traditions; to engage with some of the theoretical debates arising from different problematisations of security prominent in the literature; and to evaluate the main knowledge claims of contemporary theoretical debates in global security.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate broad intellectual and historical contexts of the main contemporary approaches to security studies: 1
Independently analyse the knowledge claims and political consequences of different traditions of contemporary security studies: 1
Creatively assess strengths and weaknesses of the most important literatures in this field: 1

Study hours

10 two hour tutorials
40 hours preparation for tutorials
90 hours self study and preparation of assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment