Security in Historical Perspective
Description
What does security mean and when did it emerge as object of unified, centralized state policy? In this course we will historicize the concept and practices of security in the sense that we will map its traces through time, embed various security thoughts and philosophies in their respective timeframes and gauge its scope, object and subject, as well as its impact on society. Our focus will be on the modern era, ranging from the 19th century until the present day. We will take the methodology as offered by the Copenhagen School as our analytical tool kit, combining this with Foucauldian analysis of governmentality and securitization as well. The course starts with some theoretical underpinnings; we will read primary source material on security philosophy and then proceed through history. Country wise, we will concentrate on Europe and on the Netherlands. Students are asked both to read primary material, conduct primary research into security issues on their own and use and adopt the Copenhagen and Foucaldian concepts in their work.
Course objectives
After completing the course the student has a clear understanding of:
How the idea of security as a state’s objective and prerogative emerged and how it changed over time, since the 19th century up until the present
Major historical developments in security thinking and practices
The Copenhagen School theory on securitization
Michel Foucault’s notions of security dispositives and governmentality
Students will be able to:To analyze the complex and ever-changing phenomenon of security policy and agenda setting
To operate theoretical and critical concepts to better understand evolving security practices
Historicize security: they have acquainted themselves with some crucial security breaches, incidents, failures and shifts in modern European history
To develop their own analysis of historical or present day security practices or philosophies by writing a paper based upon the concepts adopted in this course.
Timetable
Monday 4/2/12 t/m 18/3 from 13-15 hrs in Building Schouwburgstraat 2, room A0.06.
Mode of instruction
Seven sessions dedicated to lectures and discussion.
Assessment method
In order to succesfully complete this course, each week students are required to upload 2 theses and corresponding arguments (max. 150 words each) based on the required reading materials for that week. An example is provided in the attachment.
All assignments will be graded. The grades will be made available on Blackboard before the next class. The average grade for the assignments will count for 25% of the final grade.
The literature assignments have to be uploaded to Blackboard 48 hours before class. Please upload the assignments as a single MS Word document to Blackboard. Make sure to clearly state your name, student number, the class and the due date of the assignment at the top of the document and try to limit the assignment to a single page. Additionally, students are required to hand in a hardcopy version of their assignment before class.
Note: you can only upload your document once. Make sure you upload the right document before submitting the Assignment.
Reading list/Literature
Thierry Balzacq (red.), Securitization theory. How security problems emerge and dissolve (Londen/New York: Routledge, 2010)
Other literature to be announced on blackboard
Blackboard
Instructor uses Blackboard. This page is available of 01/02/2013
Registration
Via USIS