International Security in an Era of Globalisation
Research Essay Questions – 3000 Words
(Undergraduate Degree Final Year)
Please Choose One Question and Write an Essay of 3000 Words. Note that you should remain within 10% of the Word Limit otherwise you are liable to have marks deducted.
- “The inherent anarchy of the international system is largely to blame for the onset of war”. Discuss.
- “Threats to the international system are becoming increasingly DE territorialised”. Do you agree with this assertion? Use examples to illustrate your answer.
- How would you assess the role of the United Nations in dealing with the crises in Africa in the post-Cold War period? In light of your answer can you make any suggestions on how the UN may be reformed?
- Strategic Studies was largely concerned with analysing elements of the nuclear rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. What is Security Studies concerned with?
- Has Human Security succeeded in replacing traditionalist ideas of security?
- How important are good intelligence services in maintaining the security of the individual and the state?
- Does NATO have a future?
- To what extent, if at all, are globalisation and democratisation linked? Illustrate your answer with examples.
- There is said to be global religious resurgence. Can this be linked to globalisation and the need for individual security? If so, how and why?
- To what extent, if at all, can we trace links between ‘failed states’ and international terrorism? Illustrate your answer with examples.
- Explain the rise of environmental security.
- Discuss the idea that humans are now more vulnerable to changes in the environment than ever before.
- With reference to specific examples evaluate how far we can prevent or mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
- Are Thomas Malthus’s warnings on the limits of population still relevant more than 200 years after he wrote?
- Using a range of specific examples, analyse the main causes of land boundary disputes.
- Extensive and detailed knowledge based on a very good level of additional background research; a high degree of critical analysis, evaluation and original insight; excellent organisation and presentation.
- UK English
- HARVARD STYLE REFERENCES and BIBLIOGRAPHY…PLEASE INCLUDE PAGE NUMBER WHEN USING BOOK INTEXT REFERENCE
Module summary
The broad aims of this module are to understand the fundamentals of security studies and its importance in an increasingly connected world. In particular to:
• Think in broad, conceptual terms about the changes in international security occasioned by the impact of globalisation, especially since the end of the Cold War in 1989, and evaluate the differing interpretations of its development and assess the processes through which it has occurred over time.
• Understand “Security” conceptually in both its international and national contexts.
• Evaluate the contested military and non-military terrain of globalisation and security issues.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students should:
1. Be able to
understand and analyse the nature of the systematic changes in international
security since the onset of globalisation and determine the forces of
globalisation that have shaped, and are shaping, its development;
2. Be able to assess and critically analyse the major security issues faced by
the international community
3. Understand the central role played by international organisations – such as the United Nations and NATO in the maintenance of international peace and security, in the post-Cold War era.
4. Be able to reflect on the relationship between state and non-state actors.
5. Question the ethical dimensions of the Westphalian order based on notions of sovereignty and narrow State interests and determine whether theories highlighting human emancipation need to be strengthened.
Assessment strategy
The essay of 3000 words which will provide students with the opportunity to submit a major piece of work of their choosing on a key element of the module. This will enable students to develop further many of the employability skills introduced during the formative assessment, in addition to writing, reflecting on what they have learnt and making use of constructive feedback.
Bibliography
Identify core
and additional reading
Liaise with Library Services to confirm availability of on-line licenses in
academic year
Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module. Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks. Reading Lists will be updated annually.
Books
• Peter Hough, Shahin Malik, Andrew Moran, Bruce Pilbeam, International Security Studies, Theory and Practice, London, Routledge, 2015.
• Collins, Alan, Contemporary Security Studies, 4thEdition, Oxford University Press, 2015.
• Jeff Haynes, Peter Hough, Shahin Malik and Lloyd Pettiford, World Politics, International Relations and Globalisation in the 21st Century,2nd Edition, Sage, 2017.
• Nye, Joseph S., Understanding International Conflicts: an Introduction to Theory and History, 7th Edition, New York, Pearson Longman, 2008.
• Hough, Peter, Understanding Global Security, 2nd Edition, Routledge, 2008.
• Morgan, Patrick M., International Security: Problems and Solutions, Washington, CQ Press, 2006.
• Kolodziej, Edward A., Security and International Relations, Cambridge University Press, 2005.
On-line resources include:
• Foreign Policy at www.foreignpolicy.com;
• Foreign Affairs at www.foreignaffairs.org;
• The Washington Quarterly at www.twq.com;
• and the Journal of International Affairs at www.jia.sipa.columbia.edu;
