Contemporary Security Challenges

Code	School	Level	Credits	Semesters
PHIR4023	Politics and International Relations	4	20	Spring Malaysia

Code: PHIR4023
School: Politics and International Relations
Level: 4
Credits: 20
Semesters: Spring Malaysia

Summary

The field of security studies has undergone significant change over the past two decades, becoming increasingly broad in scope and outlook. Empirically, the study of security now encompasses a wide variety of concerns and approaches ranging from traditional questions surrounding great power relations and global security architecture to policy-oriented discussions related to terrorism, counterinsurgency and responses to low-intensity conflict to 'non-traditional' human security problems such as the securitization of migration, transnational organized crime, food security and environment degradation. This module will provide students with a broad introduction to security studies and will explore the key theoretical and conceptual debates within in security studies and then apply these to unpack some of the main security challenges of our time. Lectures and seminars will explore a range of themes spanning multiple regions will challenge students to think critically about changing nature of security and to develop an appreciation for security as a complex policy area that is being shaped simultaneously by events at global, regional and national levels.

Target Students

Politics, History and International Relations (UNMC) Available to JYA/Erasmus students. Not available in session.

Classes

One 2-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
One 1-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks

Assessment

50% Coursework 1: 2500 word essay
40% Coursework 2: 2000 word treat assessment report
10% Presentation 1: Presentation (Debate)

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

To introduce student to different theoretical approaches in international security Gain understanding of the empirical development of global security since the end of the Cold War and the evolving role great powers and aspirational powers in the management of global security architectureInvestigate the breadth of issues within the field of global security and to compare and analyse these at cross-regional levelsTo investigate the complex interplay between traditional and non-traditional security problemsTo prepare students to embark on research projects which examine themes related to contemporary security problems

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the subject of security studies and how issues and theories can be interpreted in different ways; demonstrate a through knowledge of the appropriate literatures in relation to security studies and the main debates therein:

Intellectual skills

Think reflectively and critically about the connection between theory and empirical analysis; assess a variety of approaches and methods for the study of security at inter-regional levels.

Professional/Practical Skills

Evidence gathering and evaluation; advanced writing skills under exam conditions; independent learning.

Transferable and Key Skills

Through active participation in the module students will acquire: the capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions); the capacity to concentrate on core points and the ability to speak on the basis of a set of notes (to be practised in oral presentations in class); the ability to analyse and write on a contemporary problems that fits the demands and format of a public policy environment; the skill to develop a structured argument in a longer piece of academic work.

Conveners

Abdillah Noh

View in Curriculum Catalogue

Last updated 09/01/2025.