IR5001 International Security

Academic year

2025 to 2026 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 11am-1pm (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 H Tamm

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 Staff

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, narrowly conceived as the study of the threat, use, and control of military force. It begins by asking why states go to war with each other, exploring different levels of analysis and a range of theories. The module then investigates how states anticipate, threaten, and/or use force more generally; this part covers topics such as intelligence, alliances, nuclear proliferation, and coercion. The next part focuses on conflict between states and non-state actors, 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.

Assessment pattern

60% coursework; 40% written examination

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination =100%

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 analyse current security challenges in their professional careers or to pursue further academic research
  • understand why states go to war
  • recognise 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