The Comprehensive Notion of European Security

6/8/9 ECTS

Seminar: Sozialwissenschaften-Vertiefung
Block, 9.00 - 11.00 Uhr, Room: GD 06/AM 205 (see below), Course Start: 07.06.2016

International security, a subfield of international relations, examines the nature of the international states system. It specifically focuses on what is known as the ‘security dilemma,’ the idea (or myth, depending on your theoretical predilection) that states in the international system desire above all to remain secure and extant, and will do whatever necessary to avoid becoming less secure or even disappearing entirely. Questions of how or whether it is necessary or even possible to cooperate to achieve security were seen as peripheral. Recently, many scholars and practitioners have begun to question the state-centric approach to international security, as well as its focus on power, rivalries, and conflict. Instead, these scholars and practitioners have begun to speak of ‘comprehensive’ security, or the ‘comprehensive approach’ to international security. Besides being a good catchphrase, what does comprehensive security mean? What does it entail? “Comprehensive security” has a variety of connotations, depending on the context in which the idea is presented, but generally most agree on the idea of a more all-encompassing, holistic understanding of ‘security’ than that embraced by traditional international relations theories. Part of the rationale for this course is to unpack some of the themes underpinning the various ‘flavors’ of comprehensive security, (among others, its human, economic, environmental dimensions).

Reading: t.b.a. prior to Seminar
Eligibility: regular participation
Dates of seminar sessions: 07.06.; 09.06.; 14.06.; 16.06.; 21.06.; 23.06.; 28.06.; 30.06.; 05.07.; 07.07.; 12.07.; 14.07 // Tuesdays in GD 06, Thursdays in AM 205
Assessments: 6 ECTS: 3 essays
8/9 ECTS: 4 essays + presentation
Language: English