INTERNATIONAL SECURITY - IRE107
FALL 2018
Introduction
dr. Martin Chovančík
dr. Petr Suchý
dr. Maya Hadar

COURSE OUTCOMES
¡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

TACKLED QUESTIONS
¡Why has security changed so muc lately? Has it really?
¡What triggers conflict in an already unstable country?
¡Has war really changed? Or are we talking about the same phenomena in a different mix?
¡How effective are nuclear counter-proliferation policies?
¡What is the difference between state-sponsored and dissent terrorism?
¡Have cyber-security issues already impacted upon interntional relations?
¡How do international organized crime networks form?
¡
¡

COURSE STRUCTURE
¡
¡
Sep 18
1. Introduction to the course plan and substance
dr. Chovančík
Sep 25
2. Security terms and theories
dr. Chovančík
Oct 2
3. Causes of armed conflicts
dr. Chovančík
Oct 9
4. War. War never changes?
dr. Chovančík
Oct 16
5. Conflict resolution approaches
dr. Chovančík
Oct 23
6. Human security
dr. Chovančík
Oct 30
7. Nuclear arms race in the first nuclear age
dr. Suchý
Mid-term I.
Nov 6
8. Nuclear arms proliferation and control
dr. Suchý
Nov 13
9. Terrorism
dr. Hadar
Nov 20
10. Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency
dr. Hadar
Send topic draft latest
Nov 27
11. Cyber-security in IR
dr. Hadar
Dec 4
12. Transnational crime
dr. Hadar
Mid-term II.
Topic sign-up deadline
Dec 11
13. Security cooperation
dr. Hadar

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS (SR)
¡All requirements are mandatory for successful completion
¡
¡Midterm I. + Midterm II.
¡Essay
¡Exam
¡
¡Read required literature
¡

SR - MIDTERMS AND EXAM
¡Midterms are multiple-choice - take approx. 20minutes (Oct. 30, Dec. 4)
¡Midterms have a no-resit policy
¡Exceptions apply when absence at test is excusable
¡Midterms cover previous lectures, presentations, and especially literature
¡
¡Exam is open question
¡Broader concept questions
¡Dispersed across studied topics
¡Resit policy as regular exam

SR - ESSAY
¡Topic chosen from broader list provided by lecturers
¡To be specified in communication with corresponding lecturer
¡5000 words (14pages)
¡Topic locked-in December 4th
¡
¡Submission deadline January 15th, 2019
¡need not be submitted prior to attending exam
¡Essay structure, content, and weights of individual aspects provided in syllabus
¡focus on the issue; make comparisons; support by data/theoretical literature; provide an informed
opinion in the conclusion
¡
¡

GRADING
¡Midterm I.   -   15p
¡Midterm II.  -   15p
¡Essay          -   30p
¡Exam          -   40p
¡
¡Total 100
¡100-95 points = A
¡94-88 points = B
¡87-77 points = C
¡76-68 points = D
¡67-60 points = E
¡<60 points = F = failed
¡

FAQ
¡Will the lectures be uploaded? YES
¡Is lecture attendance mandatory? NO
¡Who do I talk to about:
¡General course issues – dr. Chovančík
¡Topics for essays – corresponding lecturer
¡Resits and absences - dr. Chovančík
¡
¡Can I get a good grade if I don't read the lierature? NO
¡Can I at least pass? Not likely