IR5036 Critical Security Studies

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

Thursday 10am - 12noon (Group 1) and Thursday 2-4pm (Group 2)

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

Module coordinator

Dr A J Ferhani

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

Module Staff

Dr Adam Ferhani

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 will examine the challenge to traditional conceptions of security presented by the emergence of Critical Security Studies since the end of the Cold War. Students will explore what it means to study the concept and practice of security from a critical perspective. They will examine the various theoretical traditions that have informed critical security studies and the methodological implications for the analysis of different types of security contexts, ranging from alliance relations, terrorism, the environment, migration, famine, etc. Via its analysis of security from such different viewpoints, the module provides critical insights into the core issues confronting the study, conception, understanding and evolution of security in the 21st century.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

re-sit and/or re-submission

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1-hour lecture and 1-hour tutorial.

Intended learning outcomes

  • recognise security as being socially constructed and thus meaning different things to different people, communities, and regions across the globe
  • move their analysis away from the state being the sole referent object of security, and the military as being the main way to achieve ‘security’
  • identify and deconstruct the different structures (whether gender, race or class- based), which marginalize & disempower particular identities
  • evaluate how critical security (and its critique of traditional approaches) is a dynamic concept that responds and evolves to changing circumstances.