Introduction to International Security
Study Board of Political Science, Journalism, Sociology, and European Studies
Teaching language: English
EKA: B430011102
Censorship: Second examiner: None
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Master
Course ID: B430011101
ECTS value: 10
Date of Approval: 13-03-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Course ID
Course Title
Teaching language
ECTS value
Responsible study board
Date of Approval
Course Responsible
Offered in
Level
Offered in
Duration
Mandatory prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites
Ability to connect theory with empirics. Ability to gather and analyze empirical evidence on contemporary conflicts. The class will teach current research developments in security studies , therefore participation is expected.
Aim and purpose
This course will provide students with the foundational concepts to understand and analyze the contemporary security environment. While news cycle are replete with information on the North Korean nuclear programme, the potential Russian challenge to European security or the development of new military technologies, there is a need to better understand the dynamics underpinning those issues. Therefore, this class will introduce students to concepts and themes in international security. Conceptual issues will deal with the definition of security, the security dilemma, deterrence, coercion, arms control, and power transition in the international system. Those concepts will be empirically related to alliance formation, nuclear security or the changing character of war. The class will systematically combine conceptual analysis with contemporary empirical examples of the dynamics described, in order for students to develop their analytical skills and their knowledge of contemporary security issues. Students will also get a chance to become familiarized with policy documents. The knowledge and skills gained in this class will be helpful for the rest of the master programme.
Content
The course relates to the literature in international relations, in particular security studies and strategic studies.
Learning goals
With this course, students will learn to:
-Understand foundational concepts in security studies
-Develop their empirical knowledge of contemporary security issues
-Develop their writing skills in a variety of formats
-Learn how to relate conceptual analysis with empirical issues
Literature
There is no mandatory book for the class, but in case of need, students are encouraged to refer to Myriam Dunn-Calvety and Thierry Balzac (eds.), Routledge Handbook of Security Studies, Abingdon, Routledge, 2015.
This course will use journal articles and book chapters. The syllabus will be made available at the start of semester. The mandatory readings will amount to approximately 1.200 pages.
Teaching Method
Workload
10 sessions of 3 hours.
This course grants 10 ECTS. As per university regulations, a 10 ECTS course entails a workload of 270 hours. These are divided between lectures, blended lessons, exam and exam preparation. The following time distribution is an estimate for the average student:
Face-to-face lectures30
Preparation for lectures 112
Add-on (to be specified) 5
Portfolio exam 123
Total 270
Examination regulations
Portfolio exam
Name
Portfolio exam
Timing
The portfolio exam has three parts. Two parts will be conducted in the fall 2018, and the last part in January 2019. Re-exam in February.
Rules
-3 is not allowed
Tests
Portfolio exam
Name
Portfolio exam
Form of examination
Portfolio
Censorship
Second examiner: None
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Exam number
Language
English
Length
The following limitations are required: The first assignment must be maximum 3 pages in English (each with 2,400 strokes. Spacing, appendix and notes included, but table of content and bibliography excluded).
The second assignment must be maximum 5 pages in English (each with 2,400 strokes. Spacing, appendix and notes included, but table of content and bibliography excluded.)
The third assignment must be maximum 8 pages in English (each with 2,400 strokes. Spacing, appendix and notes included, but table of content and bibliography excluded.)
Assignments failing to report the numbers of strokes and assignments exceeding the maximum number of strokes will be dismissed. The assignments are separate and do not build up on each other as they are designed to acquire different analytical skills.
Examination aids
All exam aids allowed.
Assignment handover
The course page in Blackboard.
Assignment handin
The assignments must be handed- in in digital form and submitted via "SDU assignment" on the course page in Blackboard.
ECTS value
10
Additional information
The first part (15%) will be a critical examination of a document
The second part (15%) will require students to draft a policy paper
In the last part (70%), students will have to answer two questions
Internet access neccessary.
EKA
B430011102
External comment
The student is automatically registered for the first examination attempt when the student is registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal of registration is not possible, and students who fail to participate in an examination have used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
If a student does not meet the established university prerequisites for taking the exam, he or she has used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
Courses offered
Offer period | Offer type | Profile | Education | Semester |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 2018 | Mandatory | MA Negot 120 ECTS English language profile International Relations | Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense | |
Fall 2018 | Mandatory | MA Negot 120 ECTS Arabic language profile International Relations | Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense | |
Fall 2018 | Mandatory | MA Negot 120 ECTS Spanish language profile International Relations | Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense | |
Fall 2018 | Mandatory | MA Negot 120 ECTS German language profile International Relations | Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture | Odense |