The politics of (in)security: national, regional and global debates

The overall theme of the course is the politics of (in)security, particularly in the European and European Union context. Over the last 20 years, security issues have become increasingly central to the debates on European integration. Security-related developments have also triggered numerous controversies, over the need for EU action, the scope of EU competences, as well as the compatibility of measures adopted in the most contentious areas of security policies with the fundamental values, freedoms and rights upheld by the EU. These controversies suggest that we need to pay attention to the way in which security concerns are constructed, including in the EU context.

To do so the course is organised as follows. We will first work to historicise security and to understand its transformations – the nationalising of security, its globalising and its Europeanising – since the end of the Second World War. This will help us come to terms with the kind of conceptual framework that is needed to make sense of contemporary security politics. On the basis of this work of historicisation and conceptualisation, we will then survey contemporary orientations in security politics in relation to issues of risk, borders, technology, and surveillance, among others.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will have:

• Developed their knowledge of the history, scope and shape of contemporary EU security policies and politics, their main controversies, key actors and issue areas;
• Advanced their mastery of the theoretical and methodological tools for a reflexive and interdisciplinary analysis of security issues;
• Enhanced their practical skills, including academic reading and writing, logical reasoning and structured argumentation, research and analysis of primary sources.

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

This course is primarily meant for students enrolled in the Specialised Master in EU Interdisciplinary Studies. While open to students from other programmes, the expectation is that participants have the prior knowledge and background corresponding to a post-MA level in relevant interdisciplinary fields.

The course is reading-intensive and interactive. Meetings are mostly organised as seminars, where we will analyse and discuss mandatory readings and primary sources when applicable. The instructor will occasionally deliver short wrap-up lectures for difficult and/or technical topics.

Students should expect the typical weekly workload to consist of approximately 100-120 pages of mandatory readings, which are thoroughly debated in class and assessed as part of the course's participation mark (see below).

The class meets in person only, barring unforeseen circumstances. There is no online learning option.

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

This course is primarily destined to students enrolled in the specialized master in interdisciplinary EU studies (master de spécialisation en analyse interdisciplinaire de la construction européenne) and as such who already hold a master's degree in the relevant disciplines.

The course examines the national, regional and global dimensions of the politics of (in)security, with particular but not exclusive attention to European dynamics

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

Security studies (introductions and overviews)

Buzan, B., Hansen, L. (2009) The evolution of international security studies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Peoples, C., Vaughan-Williams, N. (2010) Critical Security Studies: An Introduction. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell

Zedner, Lucia (2009) Security. London: Routledge.

EU security politics

Balzacq, T., Carrera, C., eds (2006) Security Versus Freedom? A Challenge for Europe's Future. London: Ashgate.

Huysmans, J. (2006) The politics of insecurity: fear, migration and asylum in the EU. London: Routledge.

Mitsilegas, V., Monar, J., Rees, W. (2003) The European Union and Internal Security: Guardian of the People?. Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
 

Security studies - methodology

Aradau, C., Huysmans, J., Neal, A., Voelkner, N., eds (2015) Critical Security Methods: New Frameworks for Analysis. London: Routledge.

Salter, M.B., Mutlu C.E., ed. (2012) Research Methods in Critical Security Studies: An introduction. London: Routledge

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Please check here for information on contacting the lecturer and office hours.

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Travail personnel

Travail personnel

Participation (20%): assessed on the basis of in-class activity and attendance. Please note that attendance is mandatory, regardless of how classes are organised (in person, hybrid or online). Students missing more than two classes without justification automatically receive a fail mark (0/20) for participation.

Reading presentation (20%): depending on the level of enrollment, each participant is expected to present at least one course reading during a taught session of the course. Reading presentations are assigned on a weekly basis (i.e. students are informed one week in advance that they will have to do a reading presentation). Expectations regarding the format and substance of reading presentations will be communicated at the beginning of the class. Students who have not done at least one presentation by the end of the course automatically receive a fail mark (0/20) for this assignment.

Final essay (60%): students are expected to write a 2,000 words pure text (excluding references and bibliography) essay as their final and main assignment for the class. The essay will be a critical book review based on a closed list of books for review provided by the lecturer. Students should expect to submit their final essay by Week 15 (week of 18 December 2023, to be confirmed).

Coursework should be submitted in English only.

Participants are required to submit coursework that they have authored themselves. Coursework must meet the academic writing standards at the MA level, including proper referencing and the absence of plagiarised text. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in penalties, including point deductions up to a mark of zero, and may also lead to a referral to the relevant authorities for disciplinary action.

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

Participation: 20%

Reading presentation: 20%

Final essay: 60%

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais