Skip to main content Skip to navigation

PO231-30 International Security

Department
Politics & International Studies
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Thomas Tyerman
Credit value
30
Module duration
20 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

Security concerns play a dominant role in world politics. From traditional concerns about the use of military force and persistent possibilities of war, to non-traditional threats such as poverty, climate change, health, terrorism 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.

  • Introduction: Strategic Studies vs. Security Studies
  • Core Traditional Approaches
  • Theories and Causes of War
  • Deterrence and Peace
  • Arms Control and Arms Dynamics
  • Weapons of Mass Destruction
  • Revolution in Military Affairs
  • Privatising Warfare, Trading Arms
  • 'New Wars' and Ethnic Conflict
  • Broadening and Deepening Security
  • The Responsibility to Provide vs. the Responsibility to Protect
  • Social, Health and Economic Security
  • Environmental Change and Resource Security
  • Gender and Security
  • Terrorism
  • Cyber Security
  • Critical Interventions
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.
  • Demonstrate good written communication skills
Indicative reading list
  • Baylis, J. et al (eds.) Strategy in the Contemporary World (Oxford UP, 2018, 6th ed.)
  • Collins, A. (ed.) Contemporary Security Studies (OUP, 5th ed. 2018).
  • Williams, P.D. and M. McDonald (ed.) Security Studies: An Introduction (Routledge, 3rd ed. 2018).
  • Dannreuther, R. International Security: The Contemporary Agenda (Polity, 2nd ed, 2013)
  • Sheehan, M., International Security: An Analytical Survey (Lynne Rienner, 2005).
  • Hough, P. et al. (eds.), International Security Studies: Theory and Practice (Routledge: 2015 / 2021 2nd ed)
  • Jarvis, L. and Holland, J. (2015) Security: A Critical Introduction, Basingstoke: Palgrave
  • Buzan B., and L. Hansen, The Evolution of International Security Studies (Cambridge UP, 2009).
  • Buzan, B., and O .Wæver, Regions and Powers: The Structure of International Security (CUP, 2003).
  • Hough, P. Understanding Global Security. (Routledge 4th ed, 2018).
  • Browning, C.S. (2013) International Security: A Very Short Introduction (OUP).
  • Lebow, R. N. (2010) Why Nations Fight: Past and Future Motives for War (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills
  • Critical appreciation of historical and analytical dimensions of international security through demonstrable knowledge of key issues and dynamics regarding traditional and non-traditional security concerns.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of theoretical debates about security in international relations and their relationship to security practices.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of issues around security threats as well as the meaning of war, security and peace.
  • An ability to critically evaluate and critique competing arguments in the field and apply these insights to understand and analyse contemporary dynamics in world politics.
Transferable skills

Communication skills
Awareness of, and sensitivity to, diversity
Skills in academic practice
Time management
Independent research skills
Analytical skills
Critical thinking
Lateral thinking skills

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 18 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Seminars 18 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Private study 264 hours (88%)
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 A
Weighting Study time
2500 word essay 50%

2500 word essay based on content from across the module

Short Essay 25%

1,500 short essay based on term 1 content

Short Essay 25%

1,500 word short essay based on term 2 content

Feedback on assessment

Markers will complete the standard departmental feedback form for written assessments

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-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
  • 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 D 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
  • Year 2 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)

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