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Security and Development: Stages of Analysis and Intervention

Code: 41714 ECTS Credits: 15
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
4313800 International Relations, Security and Development OT 0

Contact

Name:
Alessandro Demurtas
Email:
alessandro.demurtas@uab.cat

Teachers

Ana Ayuso Pozo
Maria Claudia Jimenez Franco
Blanca Camps Febrer
(External) Laia Serra

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

The same requirements for the master's degree are requested. Additional bibliography will be offered by the coordinator to students who request it or to students that, according to the coordinator, need additional help.


Objectives and Contextualisation

The objectives are:
										
											
										
											- Become familiar with the approaches, theories, concepts and practical instruments realted to international security, development, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
										
											
										
											- Get a deep understanding of the various concepts, theoretical models and methodological and practical instruments existing in the fields of study of security, conflict resolution and development.
										
											
										
											- Know and be able to apply and critically evaluate the theory and practice of human development, conflict resolution and human security.
										
											
										
											- Acquire the necessary knowledge to prepare intervention proposals on the main aspects related to security, development, peacebuilding and development cooperation policies and strategies.
										
											
										
											 
										
											
										
											The module specifically aims for students to become familiar with:
										
											
										
											(a) The general framework of the post-Cold War system, in terms of agenda, actors, concepts, dynamics, and instruments of analysis and intervention, based on the convergence of the security and development agendas.
										
											
										
											(b) The main concepts, approaches, policies, strategies and existing instruments in the field of security studies and conflict analysis and conflict resolution methods, with particular emphasis on peacebuilding.
										
											
										
											(c) The main concepts, approaches, policies, strategies and existing instruments in the field of development studies and practice and development cooperation, as well as related issues such as trade, environment and human rights.
										
											
										
											(d) The main intervention tools and instruments used in development cooperation, conflict analysis, prevention of violent behavior and peacebuilding in general and in a particular region.

Learning Outcomes

  1. CA05 (Competence) Design guidelines for intervention in matters of security and development, particularly in the context of peace processes and peacebuilding, from different theoretical perspectives.
  2. CA06 (Competence) To draw up proposals for taking action within the scope of the main aspects of security, development, peacebuilding and cooperation for development policies and strategies.
  3. CA07 (Competence) To formulate judgements based on information that, though incomplete or limited, includes reflections on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of knowledge and judgements.
  4. KA04 (Knowledge) To properly integrate relevant concepts, theoretical models and methodological tools from the fields of security, conflict resolution and development into a study.
  5. KA05 (Knowledge) To recognise security, development, peacebuilding and cooperation for development policies and strategies in relations between two or more international actors.
  6. SA04 (Skill) To draft reports, scientific articles and proposals for action on specific matters of security and development.
  7. SA05 (Skill) To critically assess the theory and practice of human development, conflict resolution and human security based on the results of an empirical study on matters of security and/or development.
  8. SA06 (Skill) To analyse the impact that a country's political system and social structures have on its security and development policies.

Content

Module 1. Conceptual and contextual framework: the post-cold war framework, agendas, actors and the concepts and instruments in security and development studies (sessions 1 to 4)

Module 2. The security and development agenda from the perspective of North-South relations (sessions 5 to 8)

Module 3. Practical class on the securitization theory (session 9). Development and the international development cooperation system and international human rights law: concepts, approaches, policies and strategies, intervention instruments (sessions 10 to 16)

Module 4. Instruments and policies for intervention in the security and development areas: security strategies, peace-making, cooperation for development and peacebuilding (sessions 17 to 19)


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Expositions 75 3
Type: Supervised      
Practical assignments and activities 112 4.48
Type: Autonomous      
Study activities at home 188 7.52

Methodology combines traditional lectures and the use of the academic material available on the virtual campus.
										
											
										
											Each class will preferably be dedicated to a specific topic within each block and will have specific readings available to students on the virtual campus. 

A presentation or a guide will be offered per module or session/sessions.

At least half an hour of each session will be dedicated to commenting on the texts, with scheduled contributions and other spontaneous ones. Only exceptionally will there be dossiers on paper. All the material will be available in the virtual campus.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Assistance and participation 10% 0 0 CA05, CA06, CA07, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06
Final exam 40% 0 0 CA05, CA06, CA07, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06
Individual paper on a Seminar topic 25% 0 0 CA05, CA06, CA07, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06
Mid-term exam 25% 0 0 CA05, CA06, CA07, KA04, KA05, SA04, SA05, SA06

The grade, the final responsibility of Professor Demurtas, will consist of:

1. Class attendance and participation: 10% of the final grade

2. Partial exam on the compulsory readings of the module: 25% of the final grade

3. Individual work during a Seminar: 25% of the final grade

4. Individual final exam in class: 40% of the final grade

The individual final exam will include all the mandatory readings and topics covered during the course.

To pass the course, students must take the three compulsory tests/exams and obtain a minimum final grade of 5 out of 10.


Bibliography

Teachers will provide all the mandatory and recommended bibliography  to the students on the virtual campus.

 

General books

Peter Hough, International Security Studies: Theory and Practice, Routledge, 2020, II ed, 508 pp.

Barry Buzan, Ole Waever, Jaap de Wilde, Security: A New Framework for Analysis, Boulder, Lynne Rienner, 1998. 

Johan Galtung, Peace by peaceful means. Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization, Londres, Sage, 1996 (al menos los apartados I y II y las conclusiones).

Rafael Grasa, Cincuenta años de evolución de la investigación para la paz. Tendencias y propuestas para observar, investigar y actuar, Barcelona, Oficina de Promoció de la Pau i dels Drets Humans (Generalitat de Catalunya), 2010. 

 

Books about conflict resolution

The Arbinger Institute, The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict, Paperback, 2022, IV ed.

Peter Wallensteen, Understanding Conflict Resolution. War, Peace and the Global System, Sage, 2002. 

H. Miall, O. Ramsbotham, T. Woodhouse, La resolución de conflictos. La prevención, gestión y transformación de conflictos letales, Barcelona, Bellaterra/ICP, 2011

J. Baylis, J. Wart, E.Cohen, C. S. Gray, Strategy in the Contemporary World. An Introducion to Strategic Studies, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002.

M. Kaldor, New & Old Wars. Organized Violence in a Global Era, Londres, Polity Press, 1999. 

A. Rapoport, Peace, An Idea Whose Time Has Come, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 1992

 

Books about development and cooperation for development

Kaul, I. (1999) "In search of a new paradigm of international development co-operation", Development, Vol, 42, nº 3.

López, G.A. y Molina de la Torre, I. (2000), Introducción a la solidaridad internacional: La cooperación para el desarrollo, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid. 

Preston, P.W. (1997) Development Theory. An Introduction, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford pp.245-246. 

Stewart, F. (1999), “Aid in the 21st century: Reconciling the real and the desirable", Development, Vol, 42, nº 3.

 

Books focused on the capability approach, empowerment, gender and microfinance

Berger, I. (1989) “Giving Women Credit: the strengths and limitations of credit as a tool for alleviating poverty”, World Development, 17(7), pp.1017-1032.

Crocker, D. (1995) “Functioning and Capability: the Foundations of Sen’s and Nussbaum’s Development Ethic, Part 2” a Nussbaum, N. i Glover, J. (eds.) Women, Culture and Development. A study of human capabilities, Oxford, Oxford University Press, pp.153-198.

Francis, E. (2000) Rural Livelihoods and Gender, mimeo, pp.110-111.

Goetz, A.M. i Sen Gupta, R. (1996) “Who Takes the Credit? Gender, Power, and Control over Loan Use in Rural Credit Programs in Bangladesh” a World Development, 24(1), pp.45-63.

Moser, C. O. (1994) Gender, Planning and Development: Theory, Practice and Training, Routledge, London, capítol 4, pp.55-79.

Sen, A.K. (1999) Development as Freedom, Oxford University Press, Oxford-New York.

Sen, A.K. (1995a) Nuevo examen de la desigualdad, Alianza Editorial, Madrid.

Sen, A.K. (1990a) “Development as Capability Expansion” a K. Griffin i Knoghts, J. (eds.) Human Development and the International Strategy for the 1990s, MacMillan, London.

Sen, A.K. (1990b), “Gender and cooperative conflicts” a Tinker, I. (ed.) Persistent Inequalities. Women and World Development.

Sen, A.K. (1990c), “Justicia: medios contra libertades”, a Sen, A.K. (1998) Bienestar, Justicia y mercado, Paidós / ICE UAB, Barcelona.

Sen, A.K. (1985) “El bienestar, la condición de ser agente y la libertad. Conferencias ‘Dewey’ de 1984”, a Sen, A.K. (1998) Bienestar, Justicia y mercado, Paidós / ICE UAB, Barcelona.

 


Software

Classes are between 4 and 8 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, between October and the first part of January.

The professor publishes the definitive calendar during September on Aula Moodle.


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 Spanish first semester afternoon