F1IS 4300 - Theories of International Security

This lecture seeks to introduce students to the main theoretical concepts and approaches to security in International Relations (IR). The lecture will be guided by the overall hypothesis that the concept of security has become broader over the course of the late 20th and the early 21st centuries, resulting in an increasing blurring of associated meanings and policies. Consequently, many scholars today regard ‘security' as one of the best illustrations of an ‘essentially contested concept'. The lecture will be structured based on three ontological dimensions of the concept of security: 1.the level of “national” security, 2. the level of “societal” security, and 3. the level of “human” or individual security.

While a considerable amount of time will consist in lectures, I am genuinely interested in having extensive class debates. Therefore, the proportion of lecture vs. debate may vary depending on the participation of the class members.

Learning Outcome:
1. Identify and discuss a variety of theoretical propositions on security discussed in the IR discipline (lecture contents and individual assignments)
2. Apply these theoretical arguments to analyse their relevance for concrete policy-making, including the development of original policy recommendations (individual assignments)
3. Research and create a convincing and coherent presentation of ongoing academic and policy debates in a specific sub-domain of international security

Professional Skills:
1. Oral communication using available means of electronic communication
2. Effective written communication bridging the gap between academic knowledge and policy debates
3. Development of creative thinking in a team-work effort to research and present relevant academic and policy knowledge

Eric SANGAR
Séminaire
English
- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Other: Follow international news: 0.5 hours a week / 6 hours a semester
Basic knowledge of the major paradigms of IR theory
Autumn 2024-2025
• Continuous individual assignment: video briefings on the core readings to be submitted for each session: 20% of the final grade / 36 work hours
• Final individual assignment (briefing paper for a decision-maker on the national, European or international level): 40% of the final grade / 20 work hours
• Group assignment (multimedia portfolio on a specific domain of international security): 40% of the final grade / 40 work hours
NB: the specific requirements for these assignments will be detailed in the course syllabus.
Feedback will be provided through written comments through the shared electronic course environment. Oral feedback can be obtained upon request from the instructor or the teaching assistant.
There will be time for informal group conversations at the beginning or the end of each lecture.
1. Dunn Cavelty, M., & Balzacq, T. (Eds.). (2017). The Routledge handbook of security studies (2nd ed.). London / New York: Routledge.
2. Williams, P. (Ed.). (2013). Security studies: an introduction (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
4. Shepherd, L. J. (Ed.) (2013). Critical approaches to security: an introduction to theories and methods. London / New York: Routledge.
3. Burgess, J. P. (Ed.) (2010). The Routledge Handbook of New Security Studies. London / New York: Routledge.
5. Peoples, C., & Vaughan-Williams, N. (Eds.). (2021). Critical security studies: an introduction (3rd ed.). Oxon / New York: Routledge.
NB: There will be one required reading for every course session (~20-30 pages, distributed electronically). The references listed are useful to accompany the lecture contents and to prepare the course in advance.