Registry
Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.
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| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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What is security? What does it mean to be secure? Who or what secures us? Can we ever be secure? The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the major theories and themes of contemporary Security Studies. The course is divided into two sections: Part one introduces students to the core theories and issues of ‘hard’ security, which dominated the 20th century, and continue to be influential; while Part Two explores so-called ‘soft’, or ‘critical’ approaches to security that have gained prominence from the late 1990s to present day. Engagement with ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ security will be teased out through in-class lectures, individual assignments and collaborative discussion. As such, the central aim of this module is to embrace subjective engagement with the prominent literature in order to facilitate students’ reflections on what ‘security’ means to them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1. Analyse security issues from a theoretically informed perspective 2. Describe the development of the discipline of security studies over time 3. Assess security challenges in the international system 4. Propose solutions to security problems 5. Analyse security policies and defend or criticise the actions taken | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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| Indicative Content and Learning Activities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Introduction & Overview: Defining Security (& Security Studies). Introduces the problem of defining security and the implications for both the practice and study of Security. Realism & International Security. Introduces the main theoretical approach to International Security. Causes of Conflict: WWI, WWII, & the Cold War. Applies Realism to the analysis of the outbreak of the three major conflicts in the 20th Century. New Wars & Failed States. Explores the transformation of warfare from WWII onwards and the shift in focus from Great Powers to failed states. Terrorism & Insurgency. Particularly since 9/11, Terrorism has become a central focus of Security Studies and practice. This section looks at what terrorism is, how it relates to insurgency and how it can be managed. 'New' Security Studies. Since the end of the Cold War a number of new approaches to Security have emerged. These are explored in this section. : Risky Business: Security Governance and the issue of Control. Examines the bureacratic and risk based approach to counter-terrorism and security management. Women, Feminism, & International Security. How do gender and security interact? This section introduces feminist insights into our understanding of Security. Human Security. Traditional Security Studies focus on the state as the appropriate referent of Security, this section explores the implications of placing the individual at the centre of our understanding of what it means to be secure. Europes Common Foreign & Security Policy. One of the most significant shifts in the global security landscape has been the emergence of the European Union. As the EU now turns to look outward, this section asks what role will it have in the wider world and what type of security actor will it be?. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Indicative Reading List | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Other Resources | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| HMSA | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MISC | MA in International Security & Conflict | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timetable this semester: Timetable for LG532 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Last Revision | 05-OCT-10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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