Because security is a fundamental concern for individuals, societies, and states, this course provides a systematic introduction to how International Relations (IR) and Security Studies define, analyze, and debate “security.” War and conflict recur throughout human history for instance, but why do they occur, under what conditions do they escalate, and what patterns shape how actors anticipate, deter, or fight? Drawing on major theoretical traditions as well as historical and contemporary cases, the course introduces core concepts and terminology such as power, deterrence, the security dilemma, alliances, coercion, and escalation and shows how they are applied to real-world security problems. By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate competing explanations of conflict and assess the policy trade-offs involved in managing threats in international politics.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply key concepts from IR and Security Studies to analyze security problems systematically.
- Compare major theoretical approaches and evaluate their explanatory strengths and limits.
- Use evidence from historical and contemporary cases to assess causes of conflict, escalation dynamics, and outcomes of security policies.
- Identify and articulate causal arguments, including plausible mechanisms and alternative explanations, in written and oral formats.
- Conduct analytical research using credible sources and communicate findings clearly through structured writing and public presentation.
Most readings for this course are available online through the Georgia Tech Library or are open access. You can find all course materials on CANVAS. Students are not required to purchase any materials for this course. Reading must be completed before each class. Students are responsible for all assigned readings, even if the material is not explicitly discussed in class.
Assessment Plan
Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade according to the following scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
*Grades Are Earned: Grades reflect the quality of work submitted; they are not based on a default 100-point system with deductions. For example, if you receive a 91, you earned 91 points, not “lost” 9.
This course expects students to attend an in-person environment and interactions on time unless there is an excuse or emergency noticed to or approved by the instructor. The substantive late attendance will also be marked and not treated as full attendance.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
· How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
· Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
Course content, activities, and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
· Intercultural Competence
· Perspective-Taking
· Persuasion