Program Overview

Global Security Policy (PUBL0109)

Key Information

The Global Security Policy module is offered by the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, with the Political Science department as the teaching department. This module has a credit value of 15.

Restrictions

This module is open to all Postgraduate students, with the exception of MSc Security Studies students.

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

This module introduces students to the field of global security policy. The first part of the module engages with different approaches to the study of global security and how these approaches have shaped international practice. This part discusses the history of the field and the expanding meaning of security to encompass non-traditional actors and referent objects.

The second part of the module engages with traditional security issues, including the prevention of inter-state war, nuclear proliferation, and political violence. Students will study the regimes and institutions that have emerged at the international, regional, and local levels to address these issues and facilitate international cooperation to address them. The origins of these institutions, as well as their efficacy, continued relevance, and legitimacy, will be explored.

The third part of the module engages with the new security agenda resulting from the changing nature of war, technological advances, and changes to the human environment. New approaches to security typically take the individual or social groups, rather than the state, as their referent objects. Students will study the role of international actors with regard to the protection of civilians; women, peace, and security; humanitarian and development aid; climate change, the environment, and conflict; and the role of new technologies in the security realm, including cyber capabilities and artificial intelligence.

In the final part of the module, students will be invited to reflect critically on prevailing approaches, as well as on recent developments and future trajectories in the academic study of global security policy. Students will be asked to assess the overall track record of global security policy to date and consider implications for future policy and practice in the field.

Seminars will be structured around key controversies for each of these topics, and apply the theoretical approaches discussed in the first part of the module.

By the end of the module, students will have an advanced knowledge of approaches to the study of global security policy. They will have a deep understanding of the obstacles and challenges facing international and local policymakers tasked with promoting international cooperation in this field. Students will have developed the ability to critically assess security policy in a wide range of domains and to articulate academically informed opinions and policy proposals.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students will:

• Be familiar with the main empirical, philosophical, and critical debates in the field of global security policy and practice
• Be able to describe and assess global security policy, and its implications for individuals, groups, and states
• Formulate proposals for global security policy and practice and evaluate the policy proposals of others, drawing on their knowledge and skills

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

The intended teaching term for this module is Term 2, and it is offered at the Postgraduate level (FHEQ Level 7).

Teaching and Assessment

The mode of study for this module is in person, and the method of assessment is 100% coursework. The mark scheme uses numeric marks.

Other Information

The number of students on this module in the previous year was 41, and the module leader is Dr. Noele Crossley.