| Dozent/in |
Zuzanna Samson, MSc |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Masterseminar |
| Code |
HS261657 |
| Semester |
Herbstsemester 2026 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Politikwissenschaft |
| Studienstufe |
Bachelor
Master |
| Termin/e |
Mi, 23.09.2026, 12:15 - 14:00 Uhr, Externer Standort, HS6 (Einführungsveranstaltung)
Fr, 16.10.2026, 09:15 - 17:00 Uhr, 3.B48
Sa, 17.10.2026, 09:15 - 15:30 Uhr, 3.B48
Fr, 06.11.2026, 09:15 - 17:00 Uhr, 4.B47
Sa, 07.11.2026, 09:15 - 15:30 Uhr, 3.B55 |
| Weitere Daten |
Die Einführungsveranstaltung der Blockseminare findet statt am Mittwoch, 23.09.2026 von 12:00 - 14:00 Uhr im |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Turnus |
Blockseminar |
| Inhalt |
This course introduces students to the major theoretical debates and qualitative research approaches in contemporary security studies. It begins by questioning what “security” means, why it matters politically, and how its meaning has evolved from post–World War II strategic and state-centric approaches to broader, critical perspectives. During the first block, students engage with classical security studies, including Cold War strategic thinking and the security dilemma, before exploring key critical traditions such as the Copenhagen School, the Paris School, feminist security theory, and critical security studies. The second block focuses on qualitative methods applied by renowned security scholars. Students are introduced to discourse and text analysis, visual analysis, participant observation and ethnographic immersion, as well as process tracing, with a particular emphasis on ethical challenges and methodological reflexivity. Throughout the course, theoretical discussions are closely connected to empirical cases, including migration, climate change, military alliances, and conflict. By combining theory and method, the course equips students with analytical tools to critically examine how security problems are constructed, practiced, and governed. Moreover, students will develop the ability to understand and discuss dominant security narratives, assess their political effects, and design qualitative research projects in the field of security studies. The course combines lectures, guided discussion, and student presentations, and is suitable for both BA and MA students.
|
| Schlagworte |
Gender/Diversity |
| Lernziele |
1. Explain key theoretical approaches in security studies and how understandings of security have evolved since World War II.
2. Critically analyze how security threats are constructed, represented, and practiced across different issue areas.
3. Apply qualitative research methods commonly used in security studies, including discourse and visual analysis, participant observations and process tracing.
4. Identify and reflect on ethical challenges and positionality in qualitative security research.
5. Design a coherent qualitative research project addressing a security-related problem. |
| Voraussetzungen |
None. Basic knowledge about security studies will be a plus. |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Anmeldung |
***Wichtig*** Um Credits zu erwerben ist die Anmeldung zur Lehrveranstaltung über das UniPortal zwingend erforderlich. Die Anmeldung ist ab zwei Wochen vor bis zwei Wochen nach Beginn des Semesters möglich. An- und Abmeldungen sind nach diesem Zeitraum nicht mehr möglich. Die genauen Anmeldedaten finden Sie hier: http://www.unilu.ch/ksf/semesterdaten |
| Leistungsnachweis |
Presentation, Essay, Active participation (Attendance at the seminar, weekly short written comments, active participation in the sessions / 4 Credits
|
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Präsentation, Essay, Active Teilnahme / 4 Credits
|
| Hörer-/innen |
Nach Vereinbarung |
| Kontakt |
zuzanna.samson@eui.eu |
| Literatur |
- Bigo, Didier. 2002. “Security and Immigration: Toward a Critique of the Governmentality of Unease.” Alternatives: Global, Local, Political, 27(1), 63–92.
- Boas, Ingrid. 2015. Climate Migration and Security Securitisation as a Strategy in Climate Change Politics. Routledge; Chapter 1.
- Buzan, Barry and Lene Hansen. 2009. The Evolution of International Security Studies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Chapter 1 (skim Chapter 2).
- Buzan, Barry and Lene Hansen. 2009. The Evolution of International Security Studies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Chapter 4.
- Collins, Alan. 2016. Contemporary Security Studies. Oxford : Oxford University Press; Chapter 1
- Collins, Alan. 2016. Contemporary Security Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Chapter 7.
- Doty, Roxanne Lynn. “Foreign Policy as Social Construction: A Post-Positivist Analysis of U.S. Counterinsurgency Policy in the Philippines.” International Studies Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 3, 1993, pp. 297–320.
- Hansen, Lene. 2011. “Theorizing the Image for Security Studies: Visual Securitization and the Muhammad Cartoon Crisis.” European Journal of International Relations 17(1): 51–74.
- Hansen, Lene. 2000. “The Little Mermaid’s Silent Security Dilemma and the Absence of Gender in the Copenhagen School.” Millennium 29, 2: 285–306.
- Hansen, Lene. 2020 “Are ‘core’ feminist critiques of securitization theory racist? A reply to Alison Howell and -Melanie Richter-Montpetit.” Security Dialogue 51, 4: 378–385.
- Jervis, Robert. “Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma.” World Politics, vol. 30, no. 2, 1978, pp. 167–214.
- Krause, Jana. 2021. “The ethics of ethnographic methods in conflict zones.” Journal of Peace Research 58, 3: 329-341.
- Tannenwald, N. (2015). Process Tracing and Security Studies. Security Studies, 24(2), 219–227.
- Vuori, Juha. 2016. “Deterring Things with Words: Deterrence as a Speech Act.” New Perspectives 24, 2: 23–50.
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