This course uses the foundation provided by SS307/SS357 to explore one of the critical forces that drives world politics - international security. The purpose of this course is to provide students a solid foundation in the field of international security studies - one of the major sub-fields of the international relations discipline - including a grasp of key concepts and case studies relevant to the field today and throughout history. Students will examine fundamental questions in this field, including "What is security?" "What causes war, and what prevents it?" and "How do actors in the international system use force as a tool to achieve goals and influence others?" As a "Writing in the Major" course for the Security Studies and Foreign Policy track of the International Affairs major, students should expect heavy emphasis on writing assignments as a key tool for developing, communicating, and validating their understanding of course material.
This course uses the foundation provided by SS307/357 to provide cadets with an in-depth assessment of the field of international security studies, which is a major sub-field within international relations. The purpose of this course is
to provide a solid foundation in the field of international security studies, including key concepts and case studies relevant to the field today and throughout history. Cadets will explore different perspectives on security, assess the central question of 'What causes war?" and apply theories of conflict to different case studies on the use of force in the international system. (THIS COURSE IS NOT YET APPROVED BY THE GENERAL COMMITTEE BUT IS ENTERED TO SUPPORT THE NEW IA MAJOR)
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
One major project; a research proposal (3000 words).
Five short essays; one at the conclusion of each Block of material.
