Master of International Affairs  

International security

Armed conflict, killing, starvation, torture, rape or displacement characterise the political realities for many people, groups, or countries around the globe and continue to pose core threats to their security. The course introduces major themes and debates in the contemporary study of international security, including the causes and consequences of interstate warfare, civil war, terrorism, violence against civilians, forced migration, repression, military intervention, as well as nuclear and cyber warfare. To systematically engage with these topics, the course will draw on a set of essential theoretical frameworks. The overarching goal of the course is to provide the conceptual and analytical tools necessary for evidence-based policymaking in the realm of international security and apply them to specific instances as exemplified above. By the end of the course, you should have an overview of the key issues in international security. You should also have acquired a set of conceptual tools that can be used for analysing the causes of violent conflict, the sources of international stability and instability and the mechanisms of international conflict management and conflict resolution. In addition, you should be familiar with the main issues confronting contemporary policymakers in the field of international security and be equipped to communicate these.

Instructors