PC4S028 - International Security Theories and Methods 28 Aug 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PC4S028
Module Title: International Security Theories and Methods
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Policing
Module Leader: Christian Kaunert, Sarah Leonard
Module Team: Joana Pereira, Ori Wertman, Mike Edwards, Ethem Ilbiz
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 28 Aug 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To develop within students a critical understanding of the contemporary issues within international security.

To enable students to critically examine, using an appropriate method of research, a contemporary issue in international security.

Content Summary

You will be introduced the concepts of security and examine the key question, what is security?

Throughout the module you will develop knowledge of:

Traditional Approaches to Security

Broadening the Security Agenda & New Approaches to Security: Critical Security Studies I

Broadening the Security Agenda & New Approaches to Security: Critical Security Studies II

Overview of contemporary security issues, such as:

· Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)

· Energy security and resource wars

· Migration flows and societal security

· Humanitarian intervention

· Terrorism

· Transnational crime

Research Methodology in International Security

· Ontology, Epistemology

· Logic of enquiry

· Research design

· Methodology

· Case study research

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 18
Independent Study 70
Directed Study 100
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evaluate a wide range of sources relating to contemporary issues in international security.
LO2 Critically apply a range of research methods and analytical techniques.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 Research Proposal 0 3000 70 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Literature/book/paper review 1 Literature Review for Research Proposal 0 2000 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 ✔ ✔
Literature/book/paper review 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Baylis, J. and S. Smith (2016), eds, The Globalization of World Politics. An Introduction to International Relations, 7th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Buzan, B. et al. (1998) Security: A New Framework for Analysis. Boulder, CO; London: Lynne Rienner.

Collins, A. (2014), ed., Contemporary Security Studies. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Pres.

Kaunert, C. and K. Zwolski (2013): The EU as a Global Security Actor – a comprehensive analysis beyond CFSP and JHA (with K. Zwolski), (Basingstoke: Palgrave; Palgrave Studies in European Union Politics).

Blaikie, N. (2009), Designing Social Research, 2nd ed., Cambridge: Polity

Marsh, D. and G. Stoker (ed) (2010), Theory and Methods in Political Science, (Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke; 3rd ed),

Moses, J.W. and T. L. Knutsen (2007), Ways of Knowing, Basingstoke: Palgrave

Wincup, E. (2017). Criminological Research (2nd ed.). Oxford : London: SAGE.

Finch, E., & Fafinski, S. (2016). Criminology skills (2nd ed.). Oxford : Oxford University Press .

Supplementary Reading:

De Vries, C. (2018). Euroscepticism and the Future of European Integration. Oxford: OUP

Pollack, M. (2015). Theorizing EU Policy-Making. In Wallace et al. (Eds). (2015). Policy-making in the European Union. Oxford: OUP.

Simon, L. (2014). Geopolitical Change, Grand Strategy and European Security. Palgrave.

Kaunert, C. (2010): European Internal Security: Towards Supranational Governance in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice? (Manchester: Manchester University Press);