Introduction To International Security

International security for all levels; key theories; securitization, war, terrorism, nuclear weapons, climate change

What you'll learn

Define International Security and Security Studies

Understand the historical evolution of Security Studies

Understand the Realist tradition in Security Studies

Understand the Liberal tradition in Security Studies

Understand the Securitization Theory

Understand the Human Security approach in Security Studies

Define the meaning of war

Understand the definition, historical context and categories of war

Understand the causes and motivations for war

Define global terrorism

Understand the root causes and motivations of terrorism

Understand the ethical dilemmas of combating terrorism

Define the proliferation of nuclear weapons

Understand the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Identify the most important non-proliferation efforts and strategies

Be able to conceptualize non-traditional security threats

Understand how climate change and pandemic diseases can be conceptualized as security problems

Requirements

The course is designed for beginners and therefore does not require prior education in Politics or International Relations.

No upfront reading is necessary. In the course, students will learn about some of the most influential books on each topic.

For convenience, handouts for each lecture are provided and can be downloaded.

Description

This course will introduce you to the study of International Security. Whether you are a student or just someone interested in what studying International Security is about, this course will carefully guide you through the basics of this fascinating academic sub-field of International Relations. The course is ideal for beginners with no prior university education because it allows you to understand the basics of the sub-field. Although it is designed for beginners, the course will give you confidence to speak about International Security theories and concepts with much greater confidence. What You Will Get in This CourseDefine International Security and Security StudiesUnderstand the historical evolution of Security StudiesUnderstand the Realist tradition in Security StudiesUnderstand the Liberal tradition in Security StudiesUnderstand the Securitization TheoryUnderstand the Human Security approach in Security StudiesDefine the meaning of warUnderstand the definition, historical context and categories of warUnderstand the causes and motivations for warDefine global terrorismUnderstand the root causes and motivations of terrorismUnderstand the ethical dilemmas of combating terrorismDefine the proliferation of nuclear weaponsUnderstand the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)Identify the most important non-proliferation efforts and strategiesBe able to conceptualize non-traditional security threatsUnderstand how climate change and pandemic diseases can be conceptualized as security problemsMy Promise to YouI promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 What to Expect in this Course

Lecture 2 What You Will Learn

Lecture 3 How You Will Learn

Lecture 4 About the Author

Section 2: Studying International Security

Lecture 5 What is Security Studies?

Lecture 6 Emergence of International Security Studies (1945-1960)

Lecture 7 Cold War Security Dynamics (1960-1970)

Lecture 8 Nuclear Proliferation and Non-Proliferation (1970-1980)

Lecture 9 End of the Cold War (1980-1990)

Section 3: Realist Approach to International Security

Lecture 10 Anarchy, Self-Help and Balance of Power

Lecture 11 Security Dilemma and Use of Force

Lecture 12 International Institutions and Cooperation

Lecture 13 Realism and Nuclear Deterrence

Section 4: Liberal Approaches to International Security

Lecture 14 Democratic Peace Theory and Interdependence

Lecture 15 Multilateralism, Diplomacy and Human Rights

Lecture 16 International Organizations and Regimes

Lecture 17 Humanitarian Intervention

Section 5: Securitization Theory

Lecture 18 Definition

Lecture 19 Key Concepts and Desecuritization

Lecture 20 Problem Formation and Speech Act

Lecture 21 Climate Change and Migration

Section 6: Human Security Approach

Lecture 22 Definition of Human Security

Lecture 23 Key Components of Human Security

Lecture 24 Economic, Food and Health Insecurities

Lecture 25 Human Security and Conflict Resolution

Section 7: War and International Security

Lecture 26 Definition, Historical Context and Categories

Lecture 27 Causes and Motivations for War

Lecture 28 Types of Warfare

Lecture 29 Impacts and Consequences of War

Section 8: Global Terrorism

Lecture 30 Definition and Characteristics

Lecture 31 Root Causes and Motivations of Terrorism

Lecture 32 Types of Terrorism

Lecture 33 Combating Terrorism and Ethical Dilemmas

Section 9: Proliferation and Non-Proliferation of WMDs

Lecture 34 Proliferation and Non-proliferation

Lecture 35 The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Lecture 36 Proliferation Risks, Horizontal and Vertical Proliferation

Lecture 37 Non-Proliferation Efforts and Strategies

Section 10: Non-traditional Security Threats

Lecture 38 Conceptualizing Non-Traditional Security Threats

Lecture 39 Climate Change as a Non-Traditional Security Threat

Lecture 40 Pandemics as Non-Traditional Security Threats

Lecture 41 Criticism

Section 11: Quiz

Individuals interested in International Security and International Relations,Students of Politics and International Relations who want to consolidate their knowledge and improve their grades.,Commentators, bloggers and journalists covering International Security and International Relations,Policy practitioners who want to improve their analytical skills and better understand the context of their policy activities