6 ECTS credits
153 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 4016163FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under agreement for exchange of courses
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Alexander Mattelaer (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

21 contact hours Lecture
5 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
148 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

War and peace have the power to change world order and the daily lives we lead. This course aims to provide students with a conceptual toolkit to navigate contemporary questions in international security as perceived from a European perspective and make them familiar with key debates in strategic studies. Combining insights from history, political science, international relations and economics in an interdisciplinary spirit, this course offers students a range of lectures delivered by academics and expert policy-makers. These lectures will cover various conceptual questions (such as the causes of war, the logic of deterrence and the function of strategy) as well as geographical and thematic approaches (such as the present instability in the wider European neighbourhood, the transatlantic relationship and security in East Asia).

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : All of the recommended readings, Canvas
Additional info

This course consists of weekly lectures and classroom debates. Students are expected to engage with the recommended course readings in advance of each lecture. All of the recommended readings will be posted on Canvas. Students are also expected to keep up with current events in international security via reputable media outlets such as the Financial Times or The Economist.

Teaching Methods

  • Lectures: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials;
  • Practical: collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials through seminars, exercises and/or simulations;
  • Independent Study: independent or self-study during which the students can engage with key texts and ideas.

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

REGULAR STUDENTS

Lecture: 21 hours

  • 13 x 1.5 hour lectures, plus
  • 1.5 hour course introduction, feedback and review

Practical: 5 hours

  • 10 x 0.5 hours for classroom debates

Self: 127 hours

  • keeping up with the course material during the semester, amounting to 3 hours per lecture: 39 hours (13 x 3 hours)
  • policy memo writing: 23 hours (3 days of 8 hours)
  • exam preparation: 64 hours (8 days of 8 hours)

WORKING STUDENTS

Lecture: 4 hours (2 x 2 hours)

Practical: 2 hours (1 x 2 hours)

Self: 148 hours

  • keeping up with the course material during the semester, amounting to 4 hours per lecture: 52 hours (13 x 4 hours)
  • policy memo writing: 23 hours (3 days of 8 hours)
  • exam preparation: 72 hours (9 days of 8 hours)
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

Students will leave the course having acquired knowledge and skills in:

  • Contemporary theoretical and conceptual debates in international security and strategic studies;
  • Current trends in international security and strategy;
  • Regional politics and conflicts;
  • International institutions;
  • Conducting policy and strategic analysis;
  • Problem-solving abilities and oral and written communication.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 40% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 60 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Policy Memo with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Not applicable.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Political Science: Democracy and Leadership (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Political Science: European and International Governance: Standaard traject