Examine the theoretical and conceptual perspectives on the security concept in the International Relations discipline

The purpose of this course is to explore some of the major concepts, theories, and accumulated knowledge in the area of international security, and to gain experience in applying this knowledge to empirical cases. The choice in this course is to concentrate on a more in-depth discussion of some major concepts, as well as their applications to some major wars and conflicts, rather then on a sweeping overview of the entire field. We will discuss grand strategy, military doctrines, civil military relations, defensive and offensive motivations, deterrence, alliances, nuclear deterrence and proliferation, territorial conflict, and state weakness and conflict. We will attempt to discuss these concepts, and the various theories that apply them, in the context of cases of conflict, from the First World War through more recent conflicts.