DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Our systems are undergoing maintenance and are temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.

Module Title
Module Code (ITS: LG5029)
Faculty School
NFQ level Credit Rating
Description

COURSE DESCRIPTION What is security? What does it mean to be secure? Who or what secures us? Can we ever be secure? The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the major theories and themes in contemporary security studies, primarily, by engaging a range of ‘critical’ perspectives. Part One mines into the origins of Security Studies and the ‘traditional’ approaches security typically found therein, thus setting a scene for the (re)emergence of critical approaches to security. It will then engage students in conversation around a range of contemporary security issues that are to the fore within contemporary ‘critical’ security studies literature, including: surveillance and governance; biopolitics and border control, and the aesthetics of modern warfare. Part Two will expose students to the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of a number of key ‘critical’ approaches found within (Critical) Security Studies, building on—and supplementing--those covered in the University of Glasgow’s International Security and Strategic Thought module. Student contributions are essential to this course and a high level of in-class and online will be expected.

Learning Outcomes

1. An appreciation of the difficulties and politics surrounding how one conceptualises 'security'
2. An understanding of the development of 'traditional' approaches to security
3. An understanding surrounding the aesthetics of modern conflict
4. AN understanding of a range of contemporary security issues, as read through a variety of critical lenses
5. An understanding of various 'critical' approaches to security not covered in the preceding International Security and Strategic Thought module (University of Glasgow)


Total Workload: 0
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Extended Essay / Dissertationn/a65%n/a
Completion of online activityDiscussion Forums20%n/a
Presentationn/a10%n/a
Participationn/a5%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Error parsing Indicative Content: Control character error, possibly incorrectly encoded - 3
Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for