In an uncertain world what does it mean to be secure? How can we know if we are being threatened, and what tools can we employ to understand how serious the threat is? Strategic and security studies scholars within the field of international relations have had a long-standing interest in these questions. Now, more than ever, they are address concerns of relevance to everyone.

This course is designed to provide students with an appreciation of the regional security environment.  While issues of contemporary concern are given the most attention, students are also exposed to historical issues as well as the appropriate theoretical methodologies. Given the daily media coverage of these issues, it is intended that on completion of the course students will have a more detailed understanding of the way in which a diverse range of factors (such as economic issues, political events, social movements) can lead to situations of security or insecurity. This will provide them with a solid foundation from which to undertake innovative learning and discovery practices.