COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
PIR 330	B	6	2	2	0	3	6

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Avdi Smajljaj asmajljaj@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Avdi Smajljaj asmajljaj@epoka.edu.al
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
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.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	security
2	war
3	peace
4	international systems
5	security policies

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	Terrorism. Must readings: Williams, pages: 171-184 Optional: Williams, pages: 376-388.
8	Midterm
9	Organized crime and Migration. Must readings: Williams, pages: 453-482.
10	Human, Societal and Sectorial security: Must readings: Williams, pages: 229-243, Williams, pages: 483- 496. Optional: Buzan, pages: 119-139, Buzan, pages: 71-92.
11	Peace studies and Peace operations. Must readings: Williams, pages: 73-88. Optional: Williams, pages: 407-420.
12	Alliances and Regional security institutions. Must readings: Williams, pages: 291-323.
13	Arms trade, Nuclear proliferation, Private security. Cyber Security Must readings: Williams, pages: 345- 374. Libicki, pages: 11-37. Optional: Williams, pages: 438-451.
14	Course revision

Prerequisite(s):
Textbook(s):	Williams, P. D. (2018). Security Studies: An Introduction. London: Routledge. (Available Online) Buzan, B., Wæver O., & de Wilde, J. (1998). Security: A New Framework for Analysis. London: Lynne Rienner Publishers. (Available with the lecturer). Additional reading materials and journal articles will be provided during the classes.
Additional Literature:
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) 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	4	5
Final Exam	1	40
Attendance		10
	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	1	9	9
Assignments	4	7	28
Final examination	1	16	16
Other	1	17	17
Total Work Load:			150
Total Work Load/25(h):			6
ECTS Credit of the Course:			6

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

Reviewing articles by students on current international security issues helps students to keep the track of developments in international security.