War and International Security POLITIC4140

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

The overarching aim of this course is to provide students with the conceptual and theoretical tools for understanding war and international security. This course examines different explanations for war and peaceful coexistence.

Timetable

This course may not be running this year. For further information please check the Politics and IR Moodle page or contact the subject directly.

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry requirements to Honours Politics or International Relations.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Two essays, 2500 words (each 50%)

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

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Course Aims

The overarching aim of this course is to provide students with the conceptual and theoretical tools for understanding and analysing war and international security. While the international security agenda has expanded beyond a traditional focus on war, the potential use of violence for political purposes remains as a key security threat within international politics. In this course, students will examine different explanations for war and political violence within international relations.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of key explanations of the causes of war and conditions of peace;

■ Apply relevant concepts and theories to analyse historical and contemporary violent conflicts;

■ Critically assess the different goals of polities in pursuing narrow or more collective interests, and identify their contributions to a more peaceful world;

■ Evaluate the changing nature of war and international security

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.