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2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST3890 European Security: Myth or Reality?

20 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Dr Rachel Utley
Email: r.e.utley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The post-Cold War world witnessed a resurgence of interest in questions of European military security cooperation, and further demonstrated levels of tangible achievement. - Efforts to establish a Common Foreign and Security Policy, leading to a common defence, in the Maastricht Treaty; the adoption of the Petersberg tasks in crisis management; - attempts to implement crisis management in response to the collapse of the former Yugoslavia; - and the creation of a European Rapid Reaction Force in 2000 indicated both progress and problems in this question. The limitations of progress, and the extent of problems, were exacerbated by the events of 11 September 2001 and the subsequent 'War on Terror'.This module will seek to place contemporary developments in a wider historical context, with particular reference to processes of continuity and change in state strategies and in terms of relevant international organisations in the post-Cold War period.

Objectives

By the end of this module, in subject-specific terms, students should be able to:
- identify key issues in European military security cooperation in the post-1945 period, with particular reference to the post-Cold War period;
- semonstrate awareness and understanding of conceptual questions of integration and security;
- siscuss motives and priorities of primary participants in European military security cooperation over this critical period;
- examine the major institutions of European security, past and present, and analyse their strengths and weaknesses;
- evaluate the contemporary prospects for real, effective European military security capabilities in the light of the historical evidence.

Skills outcomes
In terms of skills, students should be able to
- Locate and select evidence as appropriate to engage with debates or issues;
- Formulate considered arguments on the principal issues under consideration;
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate such arguments appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing.


Syllabus

The module will include consideration of:
- Europe between the Superpowers: the scope for inherently European military security cooperation in the Cold War context, and strengths/weaknesses of efforts to that end
- The impact of the end of the Cold War
- The Post-Cold War period: 'European' vs 'Atlantic' options
- Wars in the Balkans
- The impact of 11 September 2001, and the subsequent `War on Terror'.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar91.009.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- Undertaking set reading
- further self-directed reading around the topic
- preparations for oral presentations and contributions to class discussions
- researching, preparing and writing assignments
- exam preparation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Contributions to class discussions
- oral presentation component
- one assessed essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 2,000-word essay, due by 12 noon Monday of teaching week 930.00
Oral Presentation.10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)40.00

10% oral presentation is redone with 'an equivalent written exercise'


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 23/02/2016

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