Why has major, interstate war declined in recent decades? What is the role of non-state actors in international politics? How can different actors respond to global security issues such as climate change? Though military force remains highly pertinent to international politics, new technologies, new actors, and new issues present a wide range of security issues for international political actors.

This course uses recent and contemporary issues to ask how actors in international politics seek security and react to insecurity. Through theoretical readings, concrete case studies, and contemporary policy debates, students will be introduced to primary security challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.