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

Selected Posts

During three weeks of the module, you will post a 500-word answer to a set question onto a discussion board. The weeks will be determined by which group you are in. You will receive formative feedback on those posts and a grade. At the end of the module, for a specified deadline, you will submit your two best answers for formal assess, in a combined document, through Turnitin. LOs 1 and 4

Participation

You will have an opportunity to upload a 300-word response to the posts of other students during the eight weeks when you are not writing a 500-word post. Assuming these responses meet basic academic standards (coherent argumentation, evidence-based reasoning, a bibliography and in-text referencing) they will contribute to your participation grade. LO1

Briefing Report

You will be required to write a 3,000-word briefing report on one of a number of topics. LOs 1-4

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 you will work through self-instructional course material, (delivered on Blackboard) which provides the framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking specific set tasks. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis, but at various points you will be expected to interact and share material with other students in your learning group and your tutor via a discussion board.

Module Learning Outcome

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.

University Learning Outcome:
Knowledge and Learning; Analysis

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.

University Learning Outcome:
Knowledge and learning; enquiry analysis.

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

University Learning Outcome:
Analysis; reflection

4. Assemble, organise and deliver well researched analytical pieces of academic work.

University Learning Outcome:
Analysis; enquiry; problem solving; reflection; communication

A computer for accessing Blackboard, websites and electronic journals.¿
Course texts and module pack which will be delivered via the provided electronic reading list for the course.

Galbreath, D., Mawdsley, J., Chappell, L., 2019. Contemporary European Security, 1 edition. ed. Routledge, London ; New York, NY. (ebook available in library)

Chappell, L., Mawdsley, J., Petrov, P. (Eds.), 2016. The EU, Strategy and Security Policy: Regional and Strategic Challenges. Routledge. (ebookEbook available from our library)

Cottey, A., 2012. Security in 21st Century Europe, 2nd edition. Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York. Ebook available from our library

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

Smith, M.E., 2017. Europe’s Common Security and Defence Policy: Capacity-Building,
Experiential Learning, and Institutional Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Available through Amazon to buy.

Webber, M., Hyde-Price, A. (Eds.), 2015. Theorising NATO: New perspectives on the Atlantic alliance. Routledge. (e-book available from our library)

None

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.