Security Politics
The aim of this course is to train the students to enhance their skills in analysing international and European security and defence affairs from both theoretical as well as empirical angles. The course consists of two parts.
In the first, the students are introduced to developments and trends in European security and defence dynamics. From a theoretical perspective we analyse these trends and dynamics from both a Realist as well as a Liberal approach to international relations (IR). From an empirical approach, the course introduces the students to European and transatlantic security- and defence affairs. Trends and dynamics in NATO developments such as developments in transatlantic relations, US national interests in Europe and how and why the US regards an institutionalised European security arrangement, are discussed. Furthermore, the development of the EU as a security and defence actor as well as developments in German security politics are analysed. This part also introduces the students to European integration theory as an important device in understanding the European security order. The aim is to provide students with an analytical tool to describe the main mechanisms in European security. The war in Ukraine and how this war will influence the European security order, goes as a red thread throughout the course.
In the second part of the course, we concentrate upon security developments in Northern Europe, like Norwegian security and defence policy, the relationship between the West and Russia in the High North as well as the enlargements of NATO to also include Finland and Sweden. What we discuss in this part are, among other things, whether it still is possible to maintain low tension in the High North in light of Russia's war on Ukraine since 2022.
At the end of the course, the student will be better able to understand and analyse European security dynamics from an IR-perspective. The course consists of both lectures and seminars, as well as an obligatory task the students will have to pass to be able to take the exam in this course
After compleeting this course, sudents will be able to have:
Knowledge
- Have knowledge of key issues in the field of security policy studies, including the expanded concept of security
- Have knowledge about key characteristics and developments of the organizations and institutions that surround Norway, such as the EU and NATO
- Be familiar with important trends in American and Russian foreign and security policies, as well as in the foreign and security policies of key European states
- Have knowledge about how security relates to, and is expressed through, the UN Sustainability Goals, particularly SDG 16, but also e.g., 9, 10, 13.
Skills
- Understand important security policy issues as the main causes of war and what states do to safeguard against undesirable developments
- Use theoretical explanatory models to conduct independent analyses of security challenges in Europe and Norway
General competence.
- Gain increased insights into significant trends in the Euro-Atlantic area, the Arctic, and the High North
- Students are equipped to enhance their ability to think and write analytically about Norwegian, European, and transatlantic security policies
