Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2057: Security Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 5
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 2 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Professor John Heathershaw (Lecturer)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

This module will introduce you to the study of war and the use of force in world politics. It explores three schools of thought (strategic studies, contemporary security studies and peace studies) and examine the theories and concepts they deploy to understand contemporary conflict. Moreover, it will examine cases of political violence and address current issues relating to strategy, security and peace. The module will focus first on strategic studies and the pursuit or order and national security including nuclear weapons and the arms trade.  It goes on to look at security more broadly in terms of new approaches to the concept of security, the problem of terrorism and counter-terrorism, and the idea and practice of human security. It finally considers peace studies and international interventions to end conflict including peacekeeping, peace-building and the theory and practice of non-violence. The module provides a broad survey of strategy, security and peace which will provide a basis for more detailed studies at Level 3 and in undergraduate and postgraduate research.

Module created

01/10/10

Last revised

20/02/12