Contemporary Security Challenges and International Conflict Resolution

Contemporary security environment; security theories and concepts; legal aspects of security and conflict resolution; international security and conflict law; cooperative security; war and conflict; conflict management and resolution; peacebuilding and state-building; peace operations; Responsibility to Protect; human security; conflicts over space, energy, and resources; cyber security; technological challenges; international arms trade; nuclear proliferation; media, information and security.

NB! This course will take place in autumn semester 2025/2026 which starts on 1st of September and ends on 25th of January (you can find that information under Start date section). TalTech's timetables for Autumn semester 2025 will be published at the end of June via tunniplaan.taltech.ee. Switch the page to English and use "Search" and "Open detailed search" to find your course. NB! Some courses are taught by several lecturers during the same semester. Make sure that the course name and lecturer/teacher infromation of your course match with the information given in the Course Catalogue.

After completing this course, the student:

• defines the basic concepts and categories of international security;
• assesses the problems related to contemporary international security and their legal aspects;
• links the modern conflict resolution methods to international law.

Final assessment can consist of one test/assignment or several smaller assignments completed during the whole course. After declaring a course the student can re-sit the exam/assessment once. Assessment can be graded or non-graded. For specific information about the assessment process please get in touch with the contact person of this course. For specific information about grade transfer please contact your home university

The subject is intended primarily for students of various disciplines to acquire basic knowledge of modern international security  challenges from political and legal perspective.

• Paul Williams (ed) Security studies. An introduction (2008, 2013, e-book)
• Alan Collins Contemporary Security Studies (2007)
• Shiraev, Zhubok Current Debates in International Relations (2016)
• John Lewis Gaddis et al. Post-Cold War Security Studies (1998)
• John Baylis et al. Globalization of World Politics. (2001, 2014).
• Christopher Hughes. Security Studies Reader (2011)

lectures, exercises