Decolonising Security

Undergraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
POLI 2009
Course ID icon
Course ID
200984
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
2
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

Security Studies has been critiqued for its state-centrism and West-centrism, which produces theories and policy prescriptions that diminish the agency of the oppressed and compounds racial, gendered, sexual and class-based oppressions. This course explores alternative approaches to security-seeking by focussing on global social movements that work to contest the oppressive social structures that cause insecurity. After exploring critiques of dominant approaches in Security Studies, we will compare a range of global political struggles to interrogate how they conceptualise the conditions of oppression and reframe and operationalise a different set of categories, concepts and norms to disrupt and resist.

Course learning outcomes

  • Think critically about concepts and practices of security
  • Articulate how social movements challenge dominant conceptions of security and the dynamics of political change
  • Critically analyse and compare a number of different theoretical concepts devised by social movements to contest dominant security paradigms and structures
  • Conduct independent research utilising a wide variety of sources
  • Craft compelling arguments substantiated with thorough evidence
  • Articulate ideas confidently, thoughtfully, and respectfully

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A