Module POLM060 for 2017/8
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM060: Global Security
This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to introduce you to the major theoretical approaches to security, as well as to the major international security issues. . In providing you with theoretical and empirical insights into the character of global security, the module aims to assist you in the development of your own perspectives and theories. The main objective is to make students use the most pertinent theoretical/analytical framework when reflecting on security problems.
Teaching and learning will take place in a supportive and interactive environment where all students will be expected to engage fully with their peers as well as working independently. The assessment is designed so as to enhance students’ ability to tailor their writing style to specific audience – they have to write an academic essay and an op-ed.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. compare, contrast and synthesise detailed knowledge of analytical frameworks and debates within the study of global security; 2. apply that knowledge of debates within the study of global security to develop your own intellectual tools with which to analyse security issues and concerns; 3. confidently articulate your own ethical and political positions on questions of global security; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. critically analyse both empirical and theoretical material relevant to the study and practice of international politics; 5. deploy theoretical arguments from the field of international relations and apply them to empirical case studies and issues; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. identify and critically evaluate advanced research monographs and articles as well as major policy texts; 7. formulate your own reasoned arguments and communicate them logically and coherently in speech and in writing; 8. work independently and with peers to achieve goals; 9. write differently to different audiences |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
This module will be delivered through 11 weekly two hour seminar classes. Discussion from readings will provide you with an overview of the key issues and debates relevant to each theoretical approach/topic and seek to provide direction for further independent research. Students take the most active part in the discussions, whilst the lecturer’s role is to frame the debate and to sum up its key elements at the end of the seminar.
Each week we will discuss one theoretical approach to security and one security issue - for example, in week 2 we will examine the various components of the neorealist-neoliberal institutionalist debate (theoretical approach) and the Ukraine crisis (issue). In other words, we use pertinent cases to illustrate the kind of insights that each theory can bring, and conversely.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour Seminars - these will primarily consist of guided discussions where topics can be explored further through debate. |
| Guided Independent Study | 278 | Private study - reading and preparing for seminars (around 4-6 hours per week); researching and writing assessments and assignments (researching, planning and writing the essay and the op-ed); preparing the examination. |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
University of Exeter Electronic Learning Environment (ELE): http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Other Learning Resources
Links will be provided on ELE to a variety of relevant policy documents, reports and websites.
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation of questions | Each week you will be expected to provide answers to the questions provided in the module handbook, and further elaborate your opinion on these answers | 1-8 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 30 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small group op-ed (2-4 students) opinion piece (similar to those found in quality newspapers) | 20 | Written document (1,500 words) and seminar presentation (ten minutes) | 1-9 | Verbal |
| Essay | 50 | 4,000 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Take-home assessment | 30 | Three questions of 1000 words max. each | 1-8 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small group op-ed (2-4 students) opinion piece (similar to those found in quality newspapers) | Individually authored 1,500 word op-ed | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Take-home assessment | Three questions of 1000 words max. each | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | 4,000 word essay | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
