The Graduate School of European and International Studies

The University of Reading is one of the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom. In 2001 its Graduate School of European and International Studies achieved a top rating of 5 in the Research Assessment Exercise. In terms of teaching quality, the Quality Assurance Agency rated the School "Excellent". All of its Masters and Research Programmes are approved by the Economics and Social Science Research Council. As well as offering high quality teaching staff and programmes, the Graduate School prides itself on giving students strong individual tutorial support. Over 60% of its students at Reading come from outside the United Kingdom and the Graduate School is therefore highly experienced in attending to the particular needs of non-British students.

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Students will gain an advanced knowledge of international security issues and the ability to analyse and evaluate different interpretations of international security issues. They will also gain the ability to apply this knowledge to new and future international security problems. They will also be able to use it in the formulation of international security policy and practice.

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International Relations and Security

Module 1A International Relations (15 credits)
Addresses the major debates within contemporary international relations discourse. This includes, for example, the impact of globalisation and the role of states and other organisations within the post-cold war international system.

Module 1B International Security Studies (15 credits)
Deals with post-cold war international security challenges, such as intra-state armed conflict, proliferation of weapons and military technology, and terrorism. It also deals with responses to those challenges including counter-terrorism measures, multi-lateral actions and arms control.

Strategic Studies

Module 2A Introduction to Strategic Studies (15 credits)
This provides the opportunity for students to apply the expertise they will have gained in the previous strategic studies module. Topics include nuclear proliferation: chemical and biological weapons; technological “versus” human excellence; asymmetrical warfare; the future of warfare; and the relative value of maritime, air and land power.

Module 2B Issues in Strategic Studies (15 credits)
This considers the meaning of strategy and how strategy relates to policy, to operations and to tactics. Students will analyse the causes and variable character of war and about the ethical issues that are inseparable from the use or threat of force. Students will discuss land, sea, air, space and cyber war.

Regional Security Issues

Module 3A Security in the Middle East (15 credits)
Addresses the role of the United States as the lone super power in the international system and in the Gulf, in particular, since the end of the Cold War. Students will consider how the United States views its interests in the region and why and how it intervenes in regional security problems.

Module 3B The US and the Gulf since 1989 (15 credits)
Students will study international conflict and security in the Middle East. This includes the development and continuation of the Arab-Israeli dispute; the Gulf as a region of conflict; regional resource issues, such as oil and water; and regional security organisations, including the Arab League and the Gulf Co-operation Council.

Conflict Resolution and Order

Module 4A Conflict and Conflict Resolution (15 credits)
Addresses the sources of conflict and examines why certain conflicts appear intractable. It also considers issues of conflict prevention and resolution, including both bilateral and multilateral negotiating strategies. Attention is paid to third-party mediation and facilitation in conflict resolution. There is also a study of hostage negotiations with terrorists.

Module 4B Policing Citizens (15 credits)
This addresses issues such as the purpose of policing and how policing systems developed; police treatment of minority populations; the distinctiveness of police culture; policing public order and terrorism; and issues of police governance and reform.

The Dissertation (60 credits)
A semi-independent study carried out under individual supervision by an assigned supervisor. Students may choose any topic arising from their taught modules, provided that it is achievable within the time allocated to the exercise and that it can be supported by adequate resources.

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Students are normally expected to have a BA (Hons) degree or equivalent experience in an occupation related to international security studies. Students are also expected to have a good working knowledge of English.

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*Note: MDCI reserves the right to vary fees.

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MDCI Ltd Middle East Regional Office
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5th Floor, Entrance 3
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Tel:+973 17216002
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Web: www.mdciedu.com
email: mdcifin@batelco.com.bh

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