This course offers an advanced examination of the scientific inquiry into international security, focusing on the causes of war and peace. Emphasizing a postgraduate-level understanding, we delve into the causes of interstate conflicts, moving beyond a mere overview. We critically analyze the multifaceted factors that influence states' decisions to pursue peaceful resolutions, encompassing diverse considerations such as regime type, economic interdependence, military alliances, and the role of international organizations. The latter segment of the course explores the dynamics of intrastate conflicts and emerging threats to global security. We investigate phenomena like civil wars, coup d'état, and terrorist attacks, scrutinizing their implications within the broader context of international security. This course encourages students to engage in critical analysis, providing them with the necessary tools to comprehend and assess contemporary challenges that transcend traditional paradigms of conflict and peace.

CILO-1: Define the key concepts, describe the important theories, and summarize the important empirical findings in the field of international security. CILO-2: Distinguish between different positions in theoretical debates in the field of international security, assess the merits of different perspectives, and articulate one’s own positions. CILO-3: Apply theoretical concepts to analyze current issues in international security, and analyze and explain them both in oral and written forms. CILO-4: Evaluate possible solutions to the problems and issues of international security and articulate policy proposals relevant in the real world.