F1IS 4365 - Fundamentals of International Security

This course provides students with the foundational knowledge of concepts and approaches required to understand policy-making in the field of international security. The course is divided into four parts. The first part, “concepts”, provides fundamental intellectual tools to understand security issues. It covers topics such as the multiple understandings of the term “security” or the causes of war. The second part, “statecraft”, critically discusses the way international actors engage with each other in order to produce (or undermine) security. It covers diplomacy and cooperation, but also coercion and subversion. The third part, “context”, examines the evolutions of the security environment, including changes in the international order, geoeconomics and climate security. The final part, “issues”, discusses in more depth some key items on the security agenda, such as nuclear weapons or disinformation.

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge of core concepts and issues in international security

In-depth analysis of selected security issues

Understanding of the relations between security, grand strategy, and military strategy

Knowledge of the dilemmas and challenges of different statecraft practices

Professional Skills:

Synthesis, analysis, research, oral presentation, written presentation, group-work, debating, negotiation.

None.

On a weekly basis, feedback will be provided to students on their various presentations directly during the class. Collective feedback will be provided after the policy memo. Individual feedbacks will be provided after the research paper.

This class has three assessments:

• a participation grade (10%), The participation grade is an overall individual assessment taking into account the various group presentations and contribution to class activities and discussions.
• a policy memo (30%), The policy memo will take place in early November. It will simulate having to write a policy memo for a minister.
• a final portfolio exam (60%). The final exam is a portfolio of three tasks to complete in 48h: a selected bibliography on an assigned topic and a simulated press release from a ministry.

• In Class Presence: 6 hours a week every month / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1,5 hours a week / 18 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 5 hours a week / 60 hours a semester