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Is Security Possible?

Globalization processes and technological development have changed the concept of security. What we call security now is different from what security was perceived decades ago. The term national security is rarely used to define a security issue within certain borders. 

Security is an international concept now. It is no more about the danger of military intervention only. It is about global dangers and cyber crimes, international terrorism, climate change, and many more.

Is security possible at all? Where do the security of one nation finish and the others' start? Is diplomacy, mediation, or international negotiations sufficient to ensure security? Is it always about states or individuals who can also become a danger to security? These and many other questions make a broad curriculum for those students who chose to get a degree in security studies.

Security issues go in line with peace, development, political and international relations studies. This multidisciplinary discipline focuses on critical analysis of historical, political, and technical aspects of national, regional, and international security. Major attention is paid to how effective are current security policies, and which are the main stakeholders involved in making these policies real.

Students of degree programs on security studies and practitioners can benefit from a wide range of research opportunities, workshops and conferences, summer and winter schools, and a pool of internship opportunities.

Security studies

Security is one of the most necessary human needs we usually take for granted. There are countries and nations who strive to establish their safety for centuries, while the rest of the world quietly lives and is not even aware of human struggles in other parts of the globe. Here, the conversation is mostly about countries' physical security, which transferred to digital and data privacy in parallel with technological advancements. The necessity of security studies is mostly related to the future. Just like you should follow your health before you get sick, security measures and precautions should be implied in advance to prevent national and global threats. 

Security studies is an interdisciplinary program that grants students an understanding of security at national, international, and global levels. Students explore conflicts and conflict resolution methods within the contemporary international relations context. Generally, security studies as a discipline became an independent program mainly during the Cold War. Before, it existed as a branch in international relations studies, as the main security issues are usually connected with the Conflict of different countries' interests. Therefore, security studies also guide students through the political, historical, and societal factors influencing the global security system. In addition, students explore how governance, institutions, and media can prevent global threats. 

What is the security threat in Security Studies?

Unfortunately, we are continuously exposed to the threat of terrorism, powerful nation's attacks on smaller countries, ethnic existence threats, genocides, wars & war crimes, and the list does not end here. Academic programs on security studies focus on any threat against the state, territorial integrity, or the country's political sovereignty.

The mentioned ones negatively affect humans; however, security studies cover areas larger: military, economic, energetic, environmental, etc. So, expect to be offered a wide range of courses within the security discipline, including:

  • International Peace
  • International Security
  • Violent and Non-Violent Conflict
  • Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations, etc.
  • Conflict Resolution and Post-War Development
  • Terrorism
  • War and International Law
  • Foreign Policy Analysis
  • Governing Divided Societies
  • Origins and Termination of the War
  • Hybrid Warfare
  • Ethnic Conflict, etc. 

The mentioned courses are usually included in Security majors, where students explore both theoretical and practical aspects of global security and learn to connect it to the current urgent security issues. Students get an academic perspective on complex issues such as terrorism, natural disasters, cybercrimes, etc. In its ideal condition, the security disciplines' learned techniques should help students develop critical thinking and generate ideas on how to save the planet from the existing and upcoming disasters. As the study is closely related to IR, during Security minors or as an elective course for Security measures, you can also select general subjects such as Public Management, Energy and policy climate, Environmental sciences and policy, Communication, etc. 

Where do Security studies take?

Security studies prepare students to work in all the organizations and communities where there is a need to control the security systems. This can be viewed both in very local and global ways. The most popular career paths take to the National Security system, or the international organizations like the UN and NATO, which officially hold status to control the international relations and assist countries in the face of threats. Security studies graduates are also in demand in military services and in discussions about sustainable development and environmentally-friendly policies. 

For a better insight on Security studies careers, here is the list of the popular employers for the profession:

  • Departments of Defense
  • FBI
  • Parliament/Congress
  • International NGOs
  • Political risk and consulting firms
  • Cybersecurity providing organizations, etc. 

Security Studies Research

Researchers try to find the answers in two main directions: what causes security issues, and what are the methods for eliminating them?

Those two main questions can be answered at any level and in any field. Researchers explore security in the context of ethics, morals, religion, politics, economics, society, etc., so it's up to you which direction you will choose to dig deeper. 

An important emphasis nowadays is put on cybersecurity threats, which is relatively new compared to traditional security directions. The findings in cybersecurity are in high demand now, as everyone feels their data is widely used, but a few understand how and what can be done to prevent it. Cyber battles are fought to start from personal and business organizations' to the governmental and global levels. 

Below, you can read some of the Security research projects that the leading universities focus on:

  • Conflict Resolution and Violence Prevention: Ceasefires and mediation processes, Conflict resolution in local, Non-state-based conflicts, Social and political consequences of terrorism in Western Europe, etc.
  • Digital Technologies and Security Policies: The threats of Cybersecurity, Cognitive and Affective Components of Cyber Operations, Cyber proliferation, etc.
  • Strategic Competition in an age of complexity: Nuclear programs, Mechanism of nuclear constraint, Military-technological superiority, technological transformations, etc. 

Research projects are individually distributed in each educational institution. The above topics are presented based on what researches are carried out in security studies faculties in recent years and serve to navigate you through the potential opportunities you may have in the field. 

Take a Minute and Check ARMACAD

Do not lose time and wander from one website to another to find new opportunities. Check out ARMACAD's database, which has compiled many scholarships and programs for future and professional security analysts. You will find fellowships, scholarships, internships, degree level programs, research opportunities, assistantships, and a lot more to satisfy all your preferences.

Not to miss any opportunity, visit ARMACAD regularly to see what's new for you!