Critical Security Studies: Security in the 21st Century - INT6140 (10 sp)
This course builds on traditional security studies but moves a step beyond to include critical approaches to security studies as well.
| Opptakskrav: | Generell studiekompetanse |
| Studiested: | Nettstudier og Campus i Oslo |
| Studiestart: | Høst og vår |
| Lånekassen: | Godkjent |
| Eksamen: | Nettbasert |
| Fysisk oppmøte: | Ja for studenter på campus. Nei for nettstudenter. |
| Samling: | Nei |
Dette emnet undervises på engelsk og beskrives derfor på engelsk.
About the Course:
The goal is to examine contemporary security threats and topics through a variety of theoretical approaches, going beyond the traditional canon of international relations theory. The class will investigate traditional and new security studies questions through a critical lens, for example by asking how norms, identity, narratives, and ideology can help us understand the definition, construction, and response to ‘security’. Topics include climate change, (dis-)information, technology, gender, and more.
The goal is to provide students with empirical and theoretical tools to analyze both traditional and contemporary issues within security studies, hopefully gaining a deeper understanding of international relations in general.
Please note that if you take this as a single course, i.e., not as part of a degree program, a transcript of grades will be issued after you have completed the course.
The candidate shall be able to...
Knowledge
- Understand and analyse core concepts of the course as defined by the syllabus.
- Understand and explain the history of security studies as an academic field.
- Understand and explain important concepts in traditional security studies.
- Understand and explain important concepts in critical security studies.
- Analyze global trends in security studies and policies.
Skills
- Analyze and discuss material explanations in security studies.
- Analyze and discuss ideational explanations in security studies.
- Analyze the dynamic between different levels of analysis (sub-national, state- and international level).
- Discuss and present key topics.
- Produce a written assignment by a set deadline.
Competence
- Identify and discuss academic challenges (methodological and theoretical) related to security studies research.
- Develop a deeper understanding of how states define and promote their national security interests.
- Critically evaluate the use of the term "security" in public discourse.
Assessment
Requirement:
The requirements must be passed in accordance to given deadline in order to register for the exams. Developing your own research essay in two stages:
- Written assignment 1: Present the topic of your research essay, your thesis question and the preliminary literature you have consulted (500-750 words) (Pass/fail).
- Written assignment 2: Present your main argument and an outline of the essay (750-1000 words). (Pass/fail).
- Compulsory attendance. Students must attend a minimum of 8 lectures with following seminars (pass/fail). Only applicable for campus based students.
Exam
This course consists of one final essay that constitutes the final grade:
- Take home exam (individual essay); 3500 words (+/- 10 % excluding front page and reference list) (100 % of the grade, grading system A – F).