International Peace and Security

Course Code: PUBLG077

Course Tutor: TBC

PUBLG077 Assessment: Two 1,500 word essays (25% each) + 2 hour unseen written examination (50%)

Credit Value: 30

About this course

The module will introduce you to major themes and debates in the contemporary study of international security, peace and conflict. We will survey a range of issues, focusing upon the causes, management, and consequences of disputes and wars between states. This will include a survey of power politics, territorial, economic, and identity-based arguments about why and where wars occur.

By the end of the module, you should have a good overview of the literature on international security. You should also have acquired a set of conceptual tools that can be used for analyzing the causes of violent conflict, the sources of international stability and instability, and the mechanisms of international conflict management and conflict resolution. In addition, you should be familiar with the main issues confronting contemporary policy-makers in the field of international security, and be equipped to conduct independent research on contemporary security issues and debates.

This is a core module for students registered on the MSc Security Studies programme and is not available as an optional module.