Module: International Security

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	International Security
Module Code	POL1079 (ITS: LG532)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module offers an introduction to international security within the discipline of International Relations. It reviews debates around the concept of security and how these debates can inform our understanding of world politics. It assesses some of the principal theoretical approaches and perspectives on security and conflict. It also examines a range of topics in contemporary security studies, including the changing nature of conflict in the post-Cold War era, human security and humanitarian intervention, and the security dimensions environmental degradation, energy, and natural resources.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of security issues at the international and national levels
2. Understand and critically evaluate key theoretical debates in international security and critically assess their respective strengths and weaknesses
3. Use theoretical approaches to understand both “traditional” and “new” security issues in world politics
4. Use knowledge acquired in this module as a foundation for further study and research in their graduate taught programme

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	11	No Description
Seminars	11	No Description
Independent Study	228	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11426	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Erika Biagini	Module Teacher	Maura Conway

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Participation	15%	n/a
Presentation	Student presentation	15%	n/a
Assignment	Essay proposal	15%	n/a
Essay	Essay on approved topic of student's choice	55%	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

Indicative course outline
Please note, individual topics are subject to change.

Part I
Week 1: Defining Security & Security Studies; Week 2: Realism, Liberalism and International Security; Week 3: War, Causes of War, and Securitisation; Week 4: Just War, Humanitarian Intervention and R2P; Week 5: ‘Old’ Wars vs ‘New’ Wars; Week 6: Terrorism, Counter-terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism.

Part II
Week 7: Reading Week; Week 8: Security, Gender and Feminist Approaches; Week 9: Security, Resources and the Environment; Week 10: Optional Topic (to be chosen by class); Week 11: Optional Topic (to be chosen by class); Week 12: Review.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Paul D. Williams: 2013, Security Studies: An Introduction, Routledge, Abingdon,
Alan Collins: 2016, Contemporary Security Studies, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None