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The course focuses on two (2) broad areas in the study of international security. First, it provides an introduction and analysis of the historical, conceptual and contextual themes of the discipline. In particular, realism, deterrence and offence-defence theories will inform the discourse on the ‘security dilemma’, the nuclear weapons debate and the arms race. Second, it analyses of the main security challenges (both past and present), such as the role of nuclear weapons proliferation and the arms race as threats to international security, as well as the significance of drug trafficking for the Caribbean region. Special emphasis will be placed on the ways in which individual states and organisations, particularly the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Regional Security System, respond to these security challenges.

While maintaining the traditional state-centric approach in highlighting the role of the nation-state in responding to these changes, students will be introduced to the new international reality of non-state actors, for example drug traffickers in posing threats to the system. They will also be introduced to the formulation of security responses which excludes the state, such as private security (including the establishment of security companies to protect citizens based on a perception of the failure of the State to provide such security).

This course examines concepts and theories of organizations, which inform the choice of organizational arrangements in the public sector. It critically examines political and economic drivers of decisions on public sector organizational change in local and regional contexts.  The course introduces strategic planning tools to improve organizational performance and explores the influence of culture, and leadership on change and performance.