POL380H1F L5101

Topics in International Politics

International Security in the New World Order

Themes

This course examines the concept of security and its implications for international relations, both in theory and practice. It is intended to serve as an introduction to the field of security studies and the key debates that frame security discourses. Despite being pervasive throughout international relations theory, security remains a highly contested concept. The ontology of security, the various ways it motivates behaviour, its uptake within the dominant International Relations paradigms, and its centrality to peace and conflict are major themes that we will explore throughout this course. Although we will draw on historical cases (predominantly from the twentieth century), our central objective is to foster an understanding of security dynamics in the contemporary world order. This course offers students an opportunity to refine their critical reasoning skills as they engage with both philosophical and practical issues related to international security. Students will address a broad range of salient topics in contemporary security discourses, including conflict, globalization, global governance, climate change, border control, international law, terrorism, information warfare, and economic stability.

Texts

TBA

Format and Requirements

TBA

Prerequisites

POL208H1 or POL208Y1 or POL209H5 or POLB80H3