STV2230 – International Security Policy
Course content
This course aims to introduce the students to security policy and strategic thinking and to give a thorough familiarity with the key concepts within this field. It combines theory and case studies and also covers the main actors and institutions in security governance (NATO, UN, US).?
The course opens with a theoretical focus on the scope of security studies and on approaches to its study.?
The scope then narrows to military security issues (security and defense proper), discussing the two types of conflicts, conventional and asymmetric.?
It seeks to ‘streamline’ a theoretically focused approach to the empirical material, revisiting theory towards the end of the course.?
It also has a case on African conflicts and one on Norwegian security policy.?
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The students will:
- become acquainted with international security and defence policy in empirical terms
- become acquainted with the concept of strategy and strategic studies, as well as with theories of the study of security policy
- become acquainted with the current debates in this field of scholarship
Skills
The students will:
- be able to analyse problems of security in international politics strategically
- be able to apply theories of security policy to empirical issues
- be able to understand the dynamics of current inter-state rivalry as well as global threats and risks
- be able to structure academic texts with research questions that the student has chosen themself or that are pre-defined
- be able to relate a research question to the academic literature in the area and assess how the choice of research question determines the choices of research design, the need for sources/data and the research method
- be able to communicate academic knowledge in writing and orally and provide constructive criticism of other students’ assignments
Competence
The students will:
- acquire insight into what strategy means and its uses
- acquire insight into the dynamics of state security as well as human security problems
- enhance their analytical ability to analyse security policy
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.?
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.?
This course is not available for single course students.?
Recommended previous knowledge
STV1200 – Internasjonal politikk or other introductory courses in international politics.
Teaching
Lectures and seminars.?
Compulsory activities:?
- Attend at least three of the five seminars
- Hand in and present your seminar paper
- Comment on other students' seminar papers?
- Hand in your finalized seminar paper?
The seminars are taught in English, and the papers handed in must be written in English.?
See the faculty`s rules for reassignment of seminar groups and requirements for compulsory activities.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Access to teaching:?
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, and does not have to in order to take the exam. A student who has previously been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Four hour school exam.
You must have passed the compulsory activities in order to sit the exam.?
Previous exams and examination guidelines.?
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.?
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.