STST1001: Introduction to International Security Studies

Tutorial presentation 10%
Short assignment (500 words) 10%
Mid-term exam (short answer questions) 20%
Essay synopsis (500 words) 20%
Essay (2500 words) 40%

I found this subject pretty difficult, especially for a first-year course. This is run by the College of Asia-Pacific, so the focus will be on the Asia-Pacific region. I remember the first few topics were on IR schools of thought (e.g. realism/liberalism/constructivism etc.), and then about great/middle/small powers. I didn’t bother going to classes basically after mid-sem so I don’t know what was discussed later but I believe it was something like nuclear weapons and terrorism and so on. Honestly, I've forgotten most of the stuff we did so I can't really say much else I personally did not find the lectures too interesting and engaging, and I felt like I learnt more from the readings. Yeah this is a very short review, I can't really remember much of this course, and while international security is very interesting itself, I can't really say I quite enjoyed this subject.

Assessments
The tutorial presentation was a 5-min presentation on one of the readings in a future week that the tutor will assign you in the first week. You present what the reading is about followed by leading a discussion with your tutorial group.

The short assignment was a 500-word report on an IR school of thought (realism, liberalism, constructivism etc.)

Recommendation
While it is very interesting, I would not recommend it unless you are particularly interested in this area and prepared for it (however, this is a core course for students studying an International Security degree) as it’s also very reading-heavy. However, this course actually will also be quite helpful to students studying International Relations as there are quite a few crossovers.

Yes, with screen capture etc.

Dr Greg Raymond

no

2.5 Out of 5

Asia-Pacific Security: An Introduction - Wallis and Carr (ed.)
I personally would not recommend buying the textbook. While the textbook is very informative, I found it unnecessary.

1x2hr lecture + 1x1hr tutorial a week

first semester 2017