Module Identifier IP33620  
Module Title CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN SECURITY  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Dr Alistair J K Shepherd  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   18 Hours 16 x 1 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   5 Hours 8 x 1 hour seminars  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  70%
Semester Assessment 1 x 2,000 word essay  30%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Discuss the origins of the contemporary European security environment
2. Identify the principal concepts and issues currently dominating European security and justify their selection
3. Describe and analyse the main European security institutions and their evolution.
4. Define and evaluate the key threats to European security
5. Discuss and compare competing outside influences on European security
6. Illustrate, through written work and in seminars, the principal problems with the military capabilities of European states
7. Demonstrate, through written work and in seminar discussions, an awareness and understanding of differing national defence and security policies
8. Discuss and evaluate the role of European states and institutions in the Balkans during the 1990s
9. Demonstrate the changing nature of contemporary European security

Brief description

This module provides the foundation for a comprehensive analysis and understanding of the concepts and dynamics of contemporary European security. It aims to develop a broad knowledge of the security concerns affecting Europe, the recent evolution of NATO and the EU in the security field and of selected national foreign, security & defence policies, emphasising the critical juncture at which European security now finds itself.

Aims

This module adds to the Departmental provision in the area of International Politics. It complements existing provision in this area and allows interested students to gain specialist knowledge of the contemporary issues in European Security and the major institutions and national actors affecting the development of Europe's security identity.

Content

Seminar topics will include:

Transferable skills

Students will develop, practise and test a range of transferable skills. On a broad level, throughout the module they will enhance their oral and written communication skills, augment their reading and comprehension abilities, improve their analytical and research capabilities, develop time management skills and strengthen their use of IT resources. More specifically in lectures the students will strengthen their listening, note taking and summarising skills; further develop effective presentation and debating abilities in seminars; and enhance their writing proficiency and independent research abilities. The essay and the examination will test the ability to write in an organised, focused and succinct manner under time constraint conditions.

Students have the opportunity to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas on the module. These subject specific skills include:

Reading Lists

Books
Hodge, Carl C. (1999) Redefining European Security London, Garland Publishing
McKenzie, Mary & Loedel, Peter (1998) The Promise and Reality of European Security Cooperation London, Praeger
Wyllie, James (1997) European Security in the New Political Environment London, Longman

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6