The course offers an introduction to the field of international security studies and core concepts and perspectives in the discipline. It will examine a number of theoretical approaches by focusing on a range of security issues, including the causes of war, ethics and use of force, alliance formation, humanitarian intervention, democratic peace, human security, new security issues and actors, and terrorism.

Assessment

Assessment criteria

• Class participation: 10%
• Two written essays of 1,200 words each (+/- 10%): 30%
• One oral presentation of about 20 minutes and a 500-word written summary of the main arguments in the presentation (+/- 10%): 15%
• Once serving as a discussant of a presentation made by a colleague: 5%
• Final take-home exam: 40%

N.B. The essay, presentation, and discussant topics have to be different. That is, you have to do the 4 assignments on 4 different seminar topics.
Students are expected to do the required readings before each class and participate actively in the discussion.

A bibliography on each topic is uploaded in the virtual campus. These supplementary readings are not required, but they could assist you in preparing your essays and presentations for the seminars, or serve as a point of departure in exploring further some of the topics covered in class.
In addition to the readings assigned for the lectures, there are required readings for the seminar sessions. The seminars will focus on discussing the posed questions and linking them to the material covered in lectures. Students will take turns in making a presentation of about 20 minutes, as well as submit written essays of 1,200 words on two of the assigned seminar questions. The assignment and the readings for the seminars will be uploaded in the virtual campus two weeks ahead of the respective seminar date. Further information regarding the presentations and written essays will be provided in the first class when the assignment topics will be distributed.

In addition to the readings assigned for the lectures, there are required readings for the seminar sessions. The seminars will focus on discussing the posed questions and linking them to the material covered in lectures. Students will take turns in making a presentation of about 20 minutes, as well as submit written essays of 1,200 words on two of the assigned seminar questions. The assignment and the readings for the seminars will be uploaded in the virtual campus two weeks ahead of the respective seminar date. Further information regarding the presentations and written essays will be provided in the first class when the assignment topics will be distributed.