BSS403 Comparative Analysis of Security Policy

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2017
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 9 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Petra Mlejnková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jan Hanzelka (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.
Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 9:45–11:15 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
This course is intended as a comparative analysis of security policy at various levels and in various security sectors. The goal of the course is to develop and strengthen each participant’s skills in understanding and analysis of various parts of comparison, including system thinking, documents and institutions, and data related to security policy. A secondary goal of the course is to demonstrate how the comparative method and policy analysis are used within the research of security field so that students are able to use comparative policy analysis in their research activities.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course. 2. Policy analysis in security studies. 3. Comparative approach in security studies. 4. System thinking and analysis, causal loops, and feedback. 5. Case studies of system thinking and analysis. 6. Comparison and analysis of security documents and institutions. 7. Case studies of comparative analysis of security documents and institutions. 8- Project presentations I. 9. Databases related to comparative security policy. 10. Case studies of use of databases related to comparative security policy. 11. Project presentations II 12. Project presentations III 13. Project presentations IV
Literature
    required literature
  • Extended valid list of literature is in the section study materials.
  • Comparative politics. Edited by Daniele Caramani. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, xliv, 786. ISBN 9780199298419. info
    recommended literature
  • Foreign policy : theories, actors, cases. Edited by Steve Smith - Timothy Dunne - Amelia Hadfield. Oxford [England]: Oxford University Press, 2008, xxvi, 442. ISBN 9780199215294. info
  • Contemporary security analysis and Copenhagen peace research. Edited by Stefano Guzzini - Dietrich Jung. London: Routledge, 2004, xvi, 255. ISBN 0415324106. info
Teaching methods
Students will be required to do the required readings, to attend class sessions, and to engage in comparative research and policy analysis in order to deepen their knowledge base. Group activities are included in this course.
Assessment methods
Students will receive a final grade for the semester based on the following components: Three case study presentations: max. 18 points (max. 6 points each). Comparative study project presentation: max. 12 points. Final written paper: max. 18 points. Final written exam: max. 12 points. Three Case Study Presentations. During lectures, students will receive tasks for three case studies (system thinking, documents and institutions, databases). These will be presented the week after the lecture (see schedule). Exact topics and required length will be specified during lectures. Presentations should be uploaded to the MU Information System (under the heading “Odevzdávárny), at least six hours prior to the in-class presentation. Comparative Study Project. Students must choose one of the topics provided by the lecturer. During the semester, students will work on the project following these rules: - Students assigned to single topics work together as a team. - Each project must be a comparison.. - The methodology has to be clearly identified – what is compared and why, how the comparison was done (operationalization, methods). - The presentation should focus on actors and processes. - Clear results are expected. - Sources and literature have to be presented as well. - Each presentation will be submitted in “Odevzdávárna” in the IS MU at least six hours prior to the class exercise. The final result should be a 25-minute presentation (using PowerPoint or other presentation program) held in class on the scheduled date. Each member of the team has to present actively. Teams are not allowed to have one spokesperson. Project Topics: 1) Counter-terrorism policy of two selected countries (three people) 2) Crisis management in homeland security of two selected countries (three people) 3) Public health in homeland security of two selected countries (three people) 4) Cyber-security policy of two selected countries (three people) 5) Critical Infrastructure Protection of two selected countries (three people) 6) Counter-terrorism policy of two selected international organizations (three people) 7) Military policy of two selected countries (three people) 8) Border security and immigration policy of two selected countries (three people) 9) Community policing in two chosen selected (two people) If needed, the topics can be narrowed after consultation with lecturer (P. Vejvodová). Final Paper The final paper will be based on the same topic as this project presentation (following up on the discussion after the presentation, the topic can be narrowed after consultation with the lecturer). The length of the final written paper is 35,000 – 45,000 characters; longer papers are allowed only after consultation with the lecturer. Papers will be evaluated on: originality of author’s approach, relevant goals and methods, theoretical background, conceptualization of the topic, structure, sources and literature. Deadline for submission: June 1, 2016 (“Odevzdávárna” in the IS MU). Final Exam There will be a final in-class written exam, consisting of two questions based on the required readings and discussions in class. Students must achieve at least ¼ of the points from each course component (two from each case study presentation, three from the project presentation, five from the final paper and three from the final exam) to be eligible for evaluation in this course! Presentations of case studies, the final project and final written paper can be completed by individual students, or by groups of two to six students. All group members will receive the same evaluation. During the class exercise, at least one member of the group must be present to deliver the presentation. Grading: A 60 - 56 B 55-51 C 50 – 46 D 45 - 41 E 40 - 36
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2017, recent)
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