F1IS 4660 - Governing Security: Defence Cooperation and Alliances in the 21st Century.

With the principles of international order currently under stress, security architecture is no longer structured by formal bilateral or multilateral agreements. Some countries have adopted anti-alliance rhetoric, while others resort to balancing or band-wagoning postures. Meanwhile, operational defence cooperation is thriving, with an increase of military exercises, joint armament programs or strategic dialogues, often in new, minilateral formats. Confronting traditional I.R. theories with concrete examples and new approaches (relational, bureaucratic), we will mainly look at the evolution of Europe vis-à-vis NATO and of the Asia-Pacific region vis-à-vis the US alliance system, and analyze the structures and trends of today's security order. Classical concepts such as balance of power, hedging, deterrence but also retrenchment or dilemma will be defined, illustrated and put in perspective with economic, strategic communication, diplomatic and socio-political factors. The course will tackle recent crisis situations, peer into strategic documents and help students phrase the right questions from several perspectives (policy-making, strategic communication, scholarly analysis) and identify the parameters in countries' decisions as regards defence.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Better appreciate, use and challenge the concepts behind defence diplomacy/ cooperation/ minilateral/ alliance management
2.Achieve refined comprehension of the parameters /trends in contemporary international security issues
3. Understand and be able to present and debate 4 to 6 cases of the recent evolution of the concept of security architecture.
4. Grasp the dynamics between theoretical concepts and actual decisions making/ between policies and strategic communication

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

1. Integrate foreign security concepts/challenges in structured thinking – connect the different variables (economic, military, political, diplomatic)
2. Understanding decision-making procedures and parameters and make decision/contribute to decision-making under pressure
3. Integrate the strategic communication dimension to the policy/ operational reflection.
4. Write short notes/ make presentations aimed at influencing foreign policy process
5. Research an argument connected to actual crises and participate in a debate.

Marjorie VANBAELINGHEM

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence:24 hours a semester (6h/week in 2 sessions of 3h)
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

Good knowledge of the main theories in International Relations in the 20th century.
Good grasp of/interest in the military affairs/vocabulary.

Spring 2024-2025

- 1 in-class presentation/briefing (5 to 10 minutes) with 1 written memo (one pager) as supporting document on one specific question / concrete case, from one specific national angle (diplomatic-political perspective - 40% of the grade). The presentation/briefing will deal with a concrete case linked to themes covered by each class. It will be followed by questions from instructor/ fellow students. Students have to circulate a brief outline (200 words) prior to their presentation.
- 1 in-class short test consisting of short questions checking on knowledge/understanding of concepts/ recent events/ facts exposed in the required reading corpus (20% of grade).
- 1 final exam consisting of an in-class 45 minute long debate, which will be a “mock conference panel” on a question put by a moderator (1 student playing moderator, 3 or 4 panelists) on cases covered in classes (academic/thinktank perspective - 30% of the grade). The final exercise will deal with a real-life subject, related to defence cooperation/ alliances participation, commitments and dilemma. Students will be put in groups of 4-6, receive the subject 1 or 2 weeks prior to the class session, submit a panel description with summaries of each presentation before performing the panel and debate in class. The grade on this assignment will be collective. Further details will be provided with the subject.
- In-class participation (10 %) is also a part of the requirements.

Each class will start by an introduction, a presentation, followed by a discussion and an interactive lecture, except for the classes where the final exam/debate will take place.

Students will receive assessments after each oral/written assignment. Students are encouraged to contact the instructor for advice and suggestions at the office hours that will be made available.