COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
PIR 132 B 2 3 0 0 3 5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Jubjana Vila , Anytime
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Classroom and Meeting Time: E 311
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to explore some of the major concepts, theories, and accumulated knowledge in the area of international security, and to gain experience in applying this knowledge to empirical cases. The choice in this course is to concentrate on a more in-depth discussion of some major concepts, as well as their applications to some major wars and conflicts, rather than on a sweeping overview of the entire field. We will discuss grand strategy, military doctrines, civil military relations, defensive and offensive motivations, deterrence, alliances, nuclear deterrence and proliferation, territorial conflict, and state weakness and conflict. We will attempt to discuss these concepts, and the various theories that apply them, in the context of cases of conflict, from the First World War through more recent conflicts.
Course Objectives: The goal of this course is to enable students to understand conceptual approaches and major issues in the study of international security. It aims to introduce students to the field of international security and familiarise them with basic ideas about it. The course also aims to develop key academic writing skills and equip students with a range of important skills; managing a varied workload; and preparing written reports and verbal presentations. Through integrating major international security concepts with security issues, this course will help students deepen their understandings on the current security challenges.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Course introduction, overview of texts, and expectations;
2 Introduction to Security Studies. Must readings: Williams, pages: 1-10. Optional: Buzan, pages: 21-45.
3 War. Must readings: Williams, pages: 151-169. Optional: Kalyvas, pages: 16-31. Film: Na Wewe.
4 Ethnic conflict. Must readings: Williams, pages: 200-215. Optional: Lake, pages: 41-75.
5 State Failure. Must readings: Bates, pages: 6-12; 15-29. Optional: Bates, pages: 97-139. Atzili, pages: 139-154.
6 Armed Groups. Must readings: Marten, pages: 41-73. Optional: Bryden, pages: 23-38.
7 Mid-Term exam.
8 Terrorism. Must readings: Williams, pages: 171-184 Optional: Williams, pages: 376-388.
9 Sectoral security: energy security, environmental security. Must readings: Williams, pages: 483-496. Optional: Buzan, pages: 71-92.
10 Human and Societal Security. Must readings: Williams, pages: 229-243. Optional: Buzan, pages: 119-139.
11 Alliances and Regional security institutions. Must readings: Williams, pages: 291-323.
12 Peace studies and Peace operations. Must readings: Williams, pages: 73-88. Optional: Williams, pages: 407-420.
13 Organized crime and Migration. Must readings: Williams, pages: 453-482.
14 Arms trade, Nuclear proliferation, Private security. Cyber Security Must readings: Williams, pages: 345-374. Libicki, pages: 11-37. Optional: Williams, pages: 438-451.
Prerequisite(s): Class attendance and participation; essay and presentations; class discussions.
Textbook: Bates, R. (2012). When Things Fell Apart: State Failure in Late-Century Africa. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. (Available Online) Libicki, M. C. (2009). Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar. Santa Monica: RAND. (Available Online) Marten, K. Z. (2006/7). Warlordism in Comparative Perspective. International Security, 3. (Available Online) Williams, P. D. (2018). Security Studies: An Introduction. London: Routledge. (Available Online)
Other References: Atzili, B. (2006/7, Winter). When Good Fences Make Bad Neighbors: Fixed Borders, State Weakness, and International Conflict. International Security, 3, 139-173. (Available Online) Bryden, A. & Caparini, M. (2006). Private Actors and Security Governance. Geneva: DCAF. (Available Online) Buzan, B., Wæver O., & de Wilde, J. (1998). Security: A New Framework for Analysis. London: Lynne Rienner Publishers. (Available with the lecturer) Cavelty, M. D. (2009). Cyber-Security and Threat Politics: US Efforts to Secure the Information Age. London: Routledge. (Available Online) Cavelty, M. D., Mauer, V. & Krishna-Hensel, S. F. (2008). Power and Security in the Information Age. Abingdon: Routledge. (Available Online) Hansen, L. & Nissenbaum, H. (2009). Digital Disaster, Cyber Security, and the Copenhagen School. International Studies Quarterly, 4, 1155-1175. (Available Online) Kalyvas, S. N. (2012). The Logic of Violence in Civil War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Available Online) Lake, D. A. & Rothchild, D. (1996, Fall). Containing Fear: The origins and management of ethnic conflict. International Security, 2. 41-75. (Available Online) Puyvelde, V. D. & Brantly, A. F. (2019). Cybersecurity: Politics, Governance and Conflict in Cyberspace. Cambridge: Polity Press. Film: Na Wewe. (Available Online)
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 To demonstrate a knowledge of major issues and concepts in International Security,
2 To demonstrate an ability to use these concepts in particular circumstances,
3 To demonstrate an ability to present an argument in both oral and written forms,
4 To demonstrate basic understanding of the major security institutions in world politics as well as significant security developments in the world.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) (Old) Program
1 Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources. 5
2 Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches. 5
3 Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects. 4
4 Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions. 5
5 Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations. 3
6 Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently. 5
7 Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena. 5
8 Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones. 3
9 Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles. 4
10 Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge. 1
11 Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments. 5
12 Having consciousness about human rights and environment. 5
13 Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning. 5
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
30
Presentation
1
10
Case Study
5
4
Final Exam
1
40
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 2 32
Mid-terms 6 1 6
Assignments 6 1 6
Final examination 16 1 16
Other 17 1 17
Total Work Load:
125
Total Work Load/25(h):
5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
5