Teaching Security Studies

Modelled on a decade of lived experience in teaching security studies, this book is an essential guide for instructors looking to engage students and innovate their teaching in the field. Utilising contemporary examples and novel activities, Rita Floyd lays out what to teach and how to teach it in an accessible and practical way.

Teaching Security Studies examines a range of ways to teach traditional approaches to security, critical approaches to security, war and ethnic conflict, and non-traditional security threats such as climate change, migration, organised crime and terrorism. It offers concrete guidance to lecturers, including how to bridge the teacher–student gap while keeping control of the classroom and garnering respect. Chapters discuss a range of subject-specific teaching approaches, assessment methods, flexible seminar activities and study questions. Ultimately, this book provides instructors with the knowledge and confidence to build a comprehensive syllabus, become more effective teachers and lead students through complex subject areas within security studies.

Theoretically pluralistic, this book is an invaluable resource for established instructors, newer faculty and postgraduate teaching assistants who teach security studies, international relations, politics and public policy.

Rita Floyd, Professor of International Security and Ethics, Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham, UK