The course considers the concept of security in international politics and the associated security debate. This entails a consideration of different types of threat and uses of power. In particular, students will consider how small states (emphasising in particular those in the Nordic region) approach their relations with major powers and important international institutions such as the UN, the EU and NATO.

Perspectives to be considered include: the traditional security approach, emphasising the protection of the state from military attack from other states; the liberal approach, emphasising the safety of groups and individuals; and more alternative approaches that rethink and expand the scope of the domain of security (securitisation) or the means of security-provision.

Through their consideration of the nature and challenges of security policy, students come to explore the relationship between civil society and the military, and a diverse range of threats (and their objects) and corresponding security-provisions. Crucial yet problematic concepts such as war, violence, and the balance of power will be examined. Among the empirical issue-areas under examination will be weapons of mass destruction, asymmetric conflict, terrorism and other forms of unconventional and more or less legitimate violence used be state and non-state actors against a range of targets.

Evaluation is based on two components:

1) A take-home paper of up to 2000 words on an assigned topic. Two students may be permitted to write a larger paper (up to 3000 words) in collaboration.

2) An individual written exam of three hours´ duration.

Students may choose to write their assignments in either Norwegian or English.

The final mark for the course (on a scale from A to F, where F is regarded as a failing grade) is based on an overall evaluation of the two exercises described above.

According to University regulations, students have.

STV-2008 - Spring 2008

Allenby, Braden R. (2000): Environmental Security: Concept and Implemention

in "International Political Science Review vol. 21, no.1 - 2000, 14 p

Betts, Richard K. (2008): Conflict after the Cold War, Pearson Longman

Part II, III, IV, V, VIII and X

Part VII pages 336-347

Part IX pages 463- 486 and 541-546, 365 p

Buzan, Barry; De Wilde, Jaap & Wæver, Ole (1998): Societal Security

in Buzan B., de Wilde J., & Wæver O. (1998): Security: a new framework for analysis,

Lynne Rienner Publishers, 35 p

Hoogensen, Gunhild & Vigeland, Svein Rottem (2004): Gender Identity and the Subject of Security

in "Security Dialogue" no.2 - 2004, 15 p

Hough, Peter (2004): Understanding Global Security, Routledge. Chapter 1 - 11, 240 p

( A new 2007 / 2008 edition might be available within January 08)

Ingebritsen, Christine (2006): Norm Entrepreneurs: Scandinavia´s Role in World Politics

Ch.9 in Beyer, Ingebritsen, Neumann and Gstöhl (ed.) (2006): Small states in international relations, University of Washington Press, 13 p

Keohane, Robert O. (2006): Lilliputians´ Dilemmas: Small States in International Politics. Ch.2 in Beyer, Ingebritsen, Neumann and Gstöhl (ed.) (2006): Small states in international relations, University of Washington Press, 22 p

Kolodziej, Edward A: (2005): The foundations of security studies Ch.2 in Kolodziej, Edward .A. (2005): Security and International Relations, Cambridge University Press, 28 p

Sheehan, Michael (2005): The broader Agenda. Ch.4 in Sheehan, Michael (2005): International Security - An Analytical Survey, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 21 p

total: 753 pages