Course overview
This course seeks to bring together two important areas in the study of international politics: global justice and security. Security is a core concern for states and individuals, but the pursuit of security, maybe especially in the international arena, raises a number of important and difficult questions both at the theoretical and empirical level. This course covers a number of approaches to the study of security in International Relations (e.g. realism, liberalism and feminism), it explores what we mean by security (whose security? And security from what?), it seeks to identify new issues on the global security agenda (e.g. human security, the environment) and to ask questions about what is permissible or desirable to do in the pursuit of security (can it ever be right to torture somebody? And if so, when? Who is a terrorist? Is there a trade off between rights and security? And between security and justice? And how do we go about answering these questions?). In exploring these theoretical issues and answering these questions about right and wrong we will also be learning about the dynamics of international politics and the realities of our globalised world.
Course learning outcomes
- Knowledge of a variety of critical theoretical approaches to contemporary security issues
- To stimulate critical reflection on contemporary security practices
- Knowledge of a number of normative theoretical frameworks for thinking about global political justice
- Greater understanding of international politics and its dynamics
- Greater understanding of political change
- Enhanced skills in research, synthesis, organisation and presentation of information
- Ability to read reflectively and critically a diverse range of texts and to critically evaluate arguments
- Ability to engage in constructive and respectful discussion in a seminar setting and to work cooperatively in a group
- An ability to work independently and manage time effectively
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