294720

International Security

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of international security, analysing its foundational concepts, institutional frameworks, and emerging global challenges. Students will critically engage with both traditional and non-traditional security threats, examining the role of state and non-state actors, international organisations, and geopolitical shifts in shaping global security dynamics. The course covers a diverse range of security domains.
Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

294720
Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

700-level
Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

30
Subject
Defence and Security Studies

Course planning information

Course notes

Students must complete all assessments.

General progression requirements

You may enrol in a postgraduate course (that is a 700-, 800- or 900-level course) if you meet the prerequisites for that course and have been admitted to a qualification which lists the course in its schedule.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Apply advanced research skills to the study of international security.
  • 2 Demonstrate advanced awareness of international security's foundational and emerging concepts and assess their relevance to contemporary global challenges.
  • 3 Critically engage with traditional and non-traditional security threats, examining the role of state and non-state actors, international organisations, the interconnectedness of threats, and geopolitical shifts in shaping global security dynamics.
  • 4 Critically evaluate the key concepts, security strategies, policy responses, and institutional mechanisms used to address global security challenges.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 3 30%
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 30%
Test 1 2 3 4 40%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Explanation of assessment types
Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

There are no set texts for this course.