IREb1007 International Security

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Vladimír Bízik, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Denis Janšta (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 16:00–17:40 U32
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! IRE107 International Security && !NOW( IRE107 International Security )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 55 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 38/55, only registered: 1/55
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to provide students with a cursory introduction to one of the major subfields of international relations – International security studies. Addressing the main challenges to international security, the course will focus on analyzing conventional and “novel” threats, as well as adopted policy responses. The breadth of the course will be supported by extensive required readings. The course will be structured into three segments. In the first segment, the course will cover primary theories necessary for further progress discuss armed conflict, associated threats, and conflict resolution. The second segment focuses on defense-related security issues, while the third segment will addresses particular threats to international security and their handling by international actors.
Learning outcomes
The course will enable students to:
- understand the basic concepts and major debates of security in the international arena
- comprehend the complex interdependence patterns of security issues in the 21st century
- grasp the international security context of singular events
- competently analyze the national and international responses to dominant security challenges
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course plan and substance
  • 2. Security terms and theories
  • 3. Causes of armed conflicts
  • 4. War. War never changes?
  • 5. Conflict resolution approaches
  • 6. Human security
  • 7. Revolution in military affair and conventional arms control
  • 8. Nuclear arms proliferation and control
  • 9. Terrorism
  • 10. Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency
  • 11. Cyber-security in IR
  • 12. Transnational crime
  • 13. Security cooperation
Literature
  • HOUGH, Peter. Understanding global security. Fifth edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2023, xxi, 307. ISBN 9781032244600. info
  • Strategy in the contemporary world : an introduction to strategic studies. Edited by John Baylis - James J. Wirtz - Colin S. Gray. Sixth edition. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2019, xxi, 454. ISBN 9780198807100. info
  • The changing character of war. Edited by Hew Strachan - Sibylle Scheipers. First published. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2011, x, 564. ISBN 9780199596737. info
  • The Routledge handbook of new security studies. Edited by J. Peter Burgess. New York: Routledge, 2010, xii, 316. ISBN 9780203859483. info
  • BUZAN, Barry. People, states & fear : an agenda for international security studies in the post-cold war era. Second edition. Colchester: ECPR, 2007, 311 stran. ISBN 9780955248818. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of interactive lectures.
Assessment methods
Two multiple choice midterms and a final long-form analytical essay as per determined rubric.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: This course is not available for exchange students.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/IREb1007