MEB401 Security Theories and Methodology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Petr Ocelík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Břetislav Dančák, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 P22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The Course provides an introduction to the theoretical approaches to the energy security in the discipline of International Relations. Students will be familiarized with positions of realism and (neoclassical) geopolitics, liberalism and international political economy (IPE), constructivism and critical approaches to energy security. Attention will be paid to conceptualization of security in International Relations as well as to the conceptualization of energy security in social sciences. The second part of the Course is focused on various research methods and examples of their application on the issue of energy security with an interdisciplinary overhang.
Syllabus
  • (1) Course introduction (2) Analysis of security in international relations (3) Conceptualization of energy security (4) Energy security in theories of IR I.: realism and geopolitics (5) Energy security in theories of IR II.: liberalism and IPE (6) Energy security in theories of IR III.: constructivism and critical approaches (7) Reading week (8) Mid-term exam (9) Research methods: grounded theory (10) Research methods: scenario analysis and predictions (11) Research methods: mathematical modeling and indicator analysis (12) Research methods: case study and game theory (13) Research methods: functioning of consultancy company and examples from its practice Note: structure of the Course can be altered (see syllabus).
Literature
  • Baldwin, D. A. (1997). The concept of security. Review of International Studies, 23, 5-26; Buzan, B., & Waever, O., & Wilde, J. 2005. Bezpečnost: nový rámec pro analýzu (1. vyd.). Brno: Centrum strategických studií
Teaching methods
The teaching is based on lectures. Students should take active part in debates during and after the lecture. They have to prepare research proposal.
Assessment methods
The final grade will be calculated as a composite evaluation consisting of following four parts: (1) attendance; (2) mid-term exam; (3) research proposal; (4) final exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2011, recent)
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