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.

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.

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

4. ASSEMBLE, ORGANISE AND DELIVER WELL RESEARCHED ANALYTICAL PIECES OF ACADEMIC WORK.

Participation, reflective portfolios and participation all require research, reflection, planning, drafting and referencing.


1,500 word Reflective Journal (30%) includes copies of the two best discussion board posts.żIn addition, it contains a 500-word reflective essay that answers, in the context of what you have learned, a question related to the module as a whole. Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Understanding, Application, Communication, Reflection.

Participation in Discussion Board. (10%) Providing constructive feedback through regular 300 word discussions and commentary on the long 500 word posts from peers. Learning Outcome Analysis, Learning, Problem Solving.

2,500 word Essay (60%) requiring extensive research, analysis, critical reflection, the construction of an argument responding to the question as well as planning, drafting and referencing. Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Understanding, Enquiry, Analysis, Learning, Problem Solving, Application, Communication, Reflection.

Key Information Set Data:
100% Coursework

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

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.

The module incorporates three inter-dependent learning strategies. The lecture programme introduces themes, developments, events and key drivers of European Security since the World War Two. The seminars provide for follow up discussion and clarification of the themes, developments and events discussed in lecture. Independent learning will be focused on directed reading and note-taking in preparation for lectures, but also by contributing weekly posts that serve as preparation for summative assessment by providing formative assessment and feedback over the duration of the module.

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)


Collins, A., 2015. Contemporary Security Studies, 4 edition. ed. OUP Oxford, New York, NY.


Howorth, J., 2014. Security and Defence Policy in the European Union, 2nd Revised edition. ed. Palgrave Macmillan.


Webber, M., Hyde-Price, A. (Eds.), 2015. Theorising NATO: New perspectives on the Atlantic alliance. Routledge.

University library including ebooks and ejournals, Vital Source books, and Blackboard accessible material. Teaching space with digital projection.