International Security

Since the end of the Cold War one of the key dynamics in world politics – the gap between rich and poor – has come into sharper focus. In this module, you’ll examine both the theory and practice of the international politics of development. 

You’ll start by looking at key theoretical debates and how these have related to practice. You’ll go on to explore contemporary issues in development that illustrate the theoretical debates, such as fair trade and sustainable development.

You’ll take part in a critical, interdisciplinary investigation into how tensions caused by the ecological crisis have been addressed globally. You'll examine institutional, conceptual, ideological and socio-cultural factors, as well as political and economic facets.

In this module you’ll look at the emergence and changing nature of the global political economy. You’ll start by understanding the historical progression of capitalism to the development of the current global order. You’ll then explore the global order through factors such as the nature of state power, labour relations, production and trade, the role of finance and the impact of capitalism on the environment.

What kind of role can civil society play in global politics? This module investigates that question, while concentrating on understanding ‘globalisation from below’. You’ll study key conceptual and theoretical debates about global civil society and global citizenship. You’ll explore the possibility of post-national forms of citizenship. Case studies will help you address the question of how global civil society can democratise global politics.

In transitions from civil war to peace, why does violence often continue, even when ceasefires are in place? How does violence affect peace processes, and how can continuing insecurity be managed? 

In this module, you’ll explore concepts of violence, peace and peacebuilding, as well as studying examples from peace processes and post-war societies, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Rwanda, South Africa and Northern Ireland. You’ll be assisted to critically analyse the causes of violence in the context of peacebuilding and to make recommendations for its management.

You’ll survey the main traditions of international ethics and apply them to important ethical dilemmas in contemporary world politics – including humanitarian intervention, global economic inequality, environmental justice, nuclear proliferation and disarmament.

You’ll critically consider debates about how we define and understand terrorism, as well as thinking about the nature of the threat that terrorism poses. You’ll also explore causes of terrorism and the gender politics of terrorism. We’ll encourage you to take a critical approach and try to think beyond mainstream and conventional answers to some of these issues.

You’ll explore questions of security, violence and resistance from a postcolonial perspective. You’ll look at how phenomena such as terrorism, migration, violent conflict and racism can be understood differently when viewed in the context of past colonial actions. You’ll also investigate whether contemporary notions such as ‘Islamic extremism’ or the ‘oppressed Muslim woman’ are used to elevate Western societies to a status of cultural and political superiority – and what consequences this leads to.

This module considers how migration is both a central part of the human experience in the twenty-first century and a key challenge to humanitarian practitioners.

This is your chance to undertake a programme of study that you choose yourself, in consultation with a member of staff. Previous examples of independent study have focussed on:

• International Energy Security
• Oil and the Global Economy
• Human Rights and Foreign Direct Investment.