| Unit name | Theoretical Approaches to Security |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLIM0029 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Joseph |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The unit provides an overview and advanced interrogation of core theories of security, including both historical approaches and cutting-edge theoretical work. This training allows students to contextualise and analyse security issues both on this unit, where case studies will be discussed, and on other units and their independent research projects.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit is a mandatory component of the MSc International Security and MSc Development and Security, providing essential theoretical training. It can also serve as an optional unit in other programs allowing students studying other aspects of politics, development and IR to gain an appreciation of security studies.
An overview of content:
This unit aims to provide students with a theoretical and empirical understanding of security issues and debates. The principal aim of the unit is to equip students to understand and analyse security challenges from different theoretical perspectives, while assessing their core assumptions as well as advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. The unit will therefore develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of the role of security actors at the international, national and sub-national levels; theories of how ‘new’ security challenges emerge and are advanced or dismissed and why; and theories of international relations in which security debates are located.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit:
Students will develop an appreciation of the importance of security issues. Through the shared learning they will be able to understand the underlying causes of security challenges and the relationship between them and different theoretical approaches.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Students will learn primarily via a seminar/question focused/discussion-based method, usually including a mix of activities in pairs/small groups/larger groups and based around questions or ‘provocations’ designed in relation to the Essential Readings for weekly topics. This method of teaching is specifically designed to allow development of a more critical/reflective/engaged mode of learning that is in line with a contemporary emphasis on (the benefits of) critical thinking in the literature on/study international relations (as is also explicitly covered and engaged with early on in the unit).
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students are given guidance on essay writing in tandem with the release of the questions, and also have the option of emailing an outline essay plan for more specific comments and feedback. Oral participation (e.g. presentation, discussion, engagement) is strongly encouraged in this unit, to enhance critical and reflective practice on the weekly topics.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
3,000 word essay (100%) [ILOs 1-5]
Students will choose to answer one question from a list of questions on topics related to the unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
You will normally complete the reassessment in the same format as outlined above. Students are expected to select a different essay question from the original list.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLIM0029).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
