Module Descriptors
EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY
HIPO60513
Key Facts
School of Justice, Security and Sustainability
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Simon Smith
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 50
Independent Study Hours: 250
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
  • PARTICIPATION weighted at 20%
  • VIRTUAL SEMINAR PRESENTATION weighted at 20%
  • POLICY REPORT weighted at 20%
  • ESSAY weighted at 40%
Module Details
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
1x 1000 word Virtual Seminar Presentation (20%) (Learning Outcomes 1-4)
1x 2000 word Policy Report (20%) (Learning Outcomes 1-4)
1 x 2000 word essay (40%) (Learning Outcomes 1-4) *Final Piece
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module will identify and analyse the central theoretical and thematic trends in European defence and security. It focuses on the history and trajectory of defence and security issues in the context of Europe (understood geographically, politically and institutionally) from the end of the Second World War right up to and including contemporary challenges. It aims to pay particular attention to the role of states and the overlapping institutions (NATO, EU and the OSCE) that underwrite defence and security in Europe. The module will identify the evolution of the key threats and broader security challenges to Europe and assess the performance of those actors responsible for mitigating them. It will introduce you to the various theoretical and conceptual trends in Security Studies literature and ask you to critically evaluate their explanatory utility with regard to the key issues and themes in European defence and security. Finally, this module will identify and analyse the key drivers of transformation in the European security environment, including material, strategic, geopolitical and operational drivers of change.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. DEMONSTRATE DETAILED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAJECTORY IN EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY (POST WORLD WAR TWO) FROM A THEORETICAL, CONCEPTUAL AND THEMATIC STANDPOINT.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. IDENTIFY AND CRITICALLY ASSESS KEY MILESTONES IN EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY, MOST NOTABLY THOSE RELATING TO STATES AND THE CENTRAL INSTITUTIONS UNDERPINNING SECURITY AND DEFENCE IN EUROPE.
Enquiry

3. DISCUSS AND CRITICALLY ANALYSE (IN WRITING) MAJOR TRENDS AND CHALLENGES TO EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY TODAY BY APPLYING THE KEY THEORETICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE DISCIPLINE. Analysis, Learning
Problem Solving

4. ASSEMBLE, ORGANISE AND DELIVER WELL RESEARCHED ANALYTICAL PIECES OF ACADEMIC WORK. Application
Communication
Reflection
LEARNING STRATEGIES
The main focus will be on self-instruction, within a tightly structured framework and relying largely (but not exclusively) on materials supplied. Week by week students will work through self-instructional course material (delivered via blackboard), which provides the framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking the specific tasks set. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis, but students will be expected to interact and share material and ideas with other students in their learning group and their tutor.

Key Information Set Data:
20% scheduled learning and teaching activities
80% guided independent learning
RESOURCES
• Students’ own textbooks; supplied course packs of readings; e-books; e-journals; relevant websites.
• Blackboard VLE
• Computer with internet access
TEXTS
Biscop, S., Whitman, R. (Eds.), 2012. The Routledge Handbook of European Security. Routledge, London¿; New York.
Chappell, L., Mawdsley, J., Petrov, P. (Eds.), 2016. The EU, Strategy and Security Policy: Regional and Strategic Challenges. Routledge. (Forthcoming)
Cottey, A., 2012. Security in 21st Century Europe, 2nd edition. ed. Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire¿; New York.
Howorth, J., 2014. Security and Defence Policy in the European Union, 2nd Revised edition edition. ed. Palgrave Macmillan.
Webber, M., Hyde-Price, A. (Eds.), 2015. Theorising NATO: New perspectives on the Atlantic alliance. Routledge.