Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2057: Security Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

On the completion of this module you will be familiar with (conceptualisation of) key security threats which impact contemporary societies at all levels. Moreover, you will be cognizant about contributions and limitations of IR theories in interpreting contemporary security threats, as well as have the ability to critically analyze strengths and drawbacks of various theoretical interpretations. The module will provide you with a solid understanding of use of force as a tool of inter/national politics both generally and in the setting of carefully selected case studies. You will be able to apply key theory claims to your interpretations of several aspects of political violence and security threats, and draw generalizations that may support or contest hegemonic assumptions in the field.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate IR grounded knowledge of political violence as an instrument of policy in the context of war and contemporary cases of armed conflicts; 2. Be familiar with key concepts used to interpret contemporary security threats and to analyze violent conflicts 3. Establish correlations between theory and praxis of recent and ongoing violent conflicts which have presented serious security challenges at all levels of analysis;
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Critically analyse primary and secondary source material; 5. Understand and use key concepts and IR theory relevant to the understanding and explanation of security challenges and threats; 6. Construct well-structured and rigorous scholarly arguments;
Personal and Key Skills	7. Communicate effectively in speech and writing; 8. Work independently and in collaboration with peers to achieve common goals; 9. Demonstrate competence to use the Internet and other IT resources.

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
Essay Plan	300 words, covering essays structure and argument	1-6, 7, 9	Verbal or written (depending on students preference)

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
50	50	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
Essay	50	2,500 words	1-9	Written
Exam	50	1.5 hours	1-7	Written
	0
	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
Essay	Essay (2,500 words)	1-9	August/September reassessment period
Exam	Exam (1.5 hours)	1-7	August/September reassessment period