Contemporary Security Challenges

Module code: PES7037-B

Module Aims

To develop a good grounding and advanced appreciation of key concepts, theories, perspectives and analytical frameworks of security studies, particularly as these relate to understanding transnational and international security agendas and processes.

To develop a good appreciation of the range of contemporary security challenges and processes, particularly as they relate to transnational and international security problems; and understanding and skills on how these concepts and analytical frameworks can be used to advance knowledge and understanding of such security challenges.

To develop detailed and advanced understanding of selected major contemporary security challenges in which major shifts in relative power, interstate tensions, and risks of inter-state war are a major factor. These include:

risks of violent conflict and military confrontations involving major or emerging global and regional powers, including selected case studies in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North Africa;
major challenges to global and regional security governance and conflict prevention mechanisms in the contexts of the relative rise of China, India, Russia, and other major developing powers and global security governance;
challenges to post-Cold War regional security and conflict prevention orders (for example in Europe and East Asia);
the relevance and effectiveness of the UN and other multilateral security institutions; and
nuclear arms proliferation and holdings.

To development knowledge and understanding sufficient to engage at an advanced level with contemporary policy debates concerning key international security issues.

To develop skills and familiarity with methods for analysing factors contributing to risks and processes of violent conflict, and for assessing inter-relationships between risks of civil war or transnational conflicts and risks and dynamics of interstate conflicts.

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