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PO231-30 International Security

Department
Politics & International Studies
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Christopher Browning
Credit value
30
Module duration
20 weeks
Assessment
50% coursework, 50% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

Security concerns play a dominant role in world politics alike. From traditional concerns about the use of military force to new threats such as poverty, climate change, and cyber-attacks, security issues, occupy a prime-spot on the policy agendas of states, international organisations, and civil society actors.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to theories, concepts, and practices of international security. It introduces students to the study of strategy and warfare, debates about the meaning and scope of security, and key security actors, institutions, and mechanisms in world politics. Simultaneously, we reflect on how we might think about security differently.

Module aims

The principal aims of this module are:

To provide students with a comprehensive guide to debates about the meaning of security in international relations.
To familiarise students with key issues surrounding the use and threat of force in international politics.
To critically analyse a series of ‘new’ security challenges fundamental for understanding the contemporary security environment and agenda.
To facilitate research-based examination of security issues, actors and dynamics.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

tbc

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • knowledge of Key issues and dynamics regarding the use of military force.
  • knowledge of Theoretical debates about security in international relations and their relationship to security practices.
  • knowledge of Issues around security threats as well as of the meaning of war, security, and peace.
  • knowledge of A range of contemporary security challenges.
Indicative reading list

tbc

Subject specific skills

tbc

Transferable skills

tbc

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 22 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 258 hours (86%)
Total 300 hours
Private study description

tbc

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group C1
Weighting Study time
3000 word essay 50%
Online Examination 50%

1.5 hour examination (Summer)

Feedback on assessment

tbc

Past exam papers for PO231

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • UPOA-M16A Undergraduate Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
  • Year 2 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese
  • Year 2 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)

This module is Optional for:

  • UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
    • Year 2 of L100 Economics
    • Year 2 of L100 Economics
    • Year 2 of L100 Economics
  • UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
    • Year 2 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
    • Year 2 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
  • UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
  • Year 2 of UPOA-M100 Undergraduate Politics
  • UPOA-M16A Undergraduate Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
  • Year 2 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
  • Year 2 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods

This module is Core option list A for:

  • UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
    • Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
  • UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law

This module is Core option list C for:

  • UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 2 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese
  • Year 2 of UPOA-ML13 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology
  • UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French
    • Year 2 of M163 Politics, International Studies and French
    • Year 3 of M163 Politics, International Studies and French
  • UPOA-M164 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German
    • Year 2 of M164 Politics, International Studies and German
    • Year 3 of M164 Politics, International Studies and German
  • UPOA-M166 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
    • Year 2 of M166 Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
    • Year 3 of M166 Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
  • UPOA-M165 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Italian
    • Year 2 of M165 Politics, International Studies and Italian
    • Year 3 of M165 Politics, International Studies and Italian

This module is Option list C for:

  • UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
    • Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
    • Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
    • Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics

This module is Option list E for:

  • UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
    • Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law