IR5001 International Security

Academic year

2023 to 2024 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesday 11am-1pm (Group 1) and Tuesday 2-4pm (Group 2)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr H Tamm

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to important issues and key debates in security studies. It begins by examining the nature of war, both between states and within them. The module then asks why states go to war with each other, exploring different levels of analysis and a range of theories. The third part investigates how states anticipate, threaten, and/or use force; it covers topics such as intelligence, coercion, and nuclear proliferation. The fourth part focuses on conflict between states and insurgents, addressing the causes of civil war and the dynamics of (counter-)insurgency and (counter-)terrorism. The module concludes by studying the termination of both inter- and intra-state wars as well as the role of international peacekeeping.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 40%, Midterm Examination = 20%, Coursework = 40%

Re-assessment

re-sit and/or re-submission

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar.

Intended learning outcomes

  • gain familiarity with important issues and key debates in the subfield of security studies
  • prepare students to capably analyze current security challenges in their professional careers or to pursue further academic research
  • understand why states go to war
  • recognize different ways in which states anticipate, threaten, and/or use force
  • acquire a clear understanding of why and how insurgents and states fight each other