Course overview
While great power competition has traditionally dominated the field of security studies, significant threats to regional and global stability often arise at what could be described as the periphery of the international system of states. To respond to this reality, this course explores the implications of state marginalisation for global security, starting with the policies of state recognition, continuing with the treatment of so-called rogue states and finally, examining the phenomenon of state failure and state collapse. It engages with various forms and limits of marginalisation, the issue of agency and resilience, and strategies for reintegration.
Course learning outcomes
- Conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources and engaging with the main arguments of scholarly works
- Demonstrate awareness of, and capacity to reflect on the ethical implications of the policies of marginalisation aligned with the processes of state recognition, and interventions in fragile or rogue states ranging from coercive use of force, sanctions or engagement with rogue regimes, international administrations and state-building
- Critically integrate insights from various analytical frameworks from politics, international relations and cognate disciplines including historical sociology, social theories of recognition and deviancy to the analysis of contemporary security challenges connected with both state and non-state actors at the periphery of the international system
- Engage in constructive and respectful discussions about contested concepts and controversial events in a tutorial setting and to work cooperatively in a group
- Demonstrate analytical skills to frame a research question, critically review the scholarly literature, describe and execute an appropriate research design, and persuasively articulate their position in various formats, ranging from critical reviews to policy recommendations