This module will critically explore the process through which issues are socially constructed as threats and the political implications of placing them in the security agenda. Following a theoretical assessment of securitisation theory and competing approaches, the focus will turn on contemporary challenges in various sectors, including migration, terrorism, military intervention, environmental security and the current economic crisis.

The course is comprised of 10 2-hour seminars.

None

None

 Assessment

Exam - 50% (2 x 1500 words)

Policy Brief - 30% (1500 words)

Group Presentation 20%*

Reasonable adjustment will be created for disability students where needed. An alternative assessment will be offered rather than the group work: An individual presentation exploring securitisation/desecuritisation theory via an issue in an empirical setting of their choice.

This module aims to critically explore the process through which issues are socially constructed as threats and the political implications of placing them in the security agenda. The first part of the class will review conceptual and theoretical debates about international security, with a particular focus on securitisation theory. The second part will explore a range of contemporary challenges in the military, societal, environmental and economic sectors, including issues such as war and conflict, migration, climate chance, health security and economic crises. securitisation of 'new threats' such as migration, the environment and international terrorism will be assessed. Key questions to explore include how these issues are framed, by whom, for what reasons and with what consequences for politics and policies. The class includes a focus on the trade-offs between security and freedom and how we can understand what security 'success' means in practice, for different actors in different contexts.

By the end of this class, students should be able to:

■ Map and evaluate on-going debates about the concept and focus of security and assess the challenges posed by recent empirical and theoretical developments;

■ Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of securitisation theory;

■ Appreciate the reasons and the processes through which issues are prioritised in the security agenda and its implications;

■ Assess the range, nature, extent and causes of contemporary security challenges;

■ Construct their own understanding of the most appropriate national and international policy responses to dealing with them and explore associated trade-offs.

In addition, through seminar presentations and discussions and through essay/exam writing, students should also acquire the following transferable skills:

■ The ability to access and make effective use of bibliographical and electronic sources of knowledge and information;

■ The ability to analyse written texts and prepare, articulate and defend reasoned answers to set questions;

■ Written communication skills, conveying information and ideas fluently to form sustained arguments;

■ Presentation skills, conveying information and ideas succinctly and effectively by using PowerPoint and handouts and by keeping within prescribed time-limits;

■ Working collaboratively with others in order to reach and sustain convincing lines of argument;

■ Self-motivation and time-management in order to meet specified deadlines;

■ Experience of how to use empirical data to evaluate theoretical claims.

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