About this course
Europe is under pressure and what constitutes a security threat is changing, too: a larger Russian presence in the region and increased risk of terrorism, but also fundamentalist and right-wing tendencies, the risk of pandemics, cyber terrorism, and European governments struggling to respond in unison to increasing numbers of refugees. Drawing on European schools of thought within international security studies, this course explores current security dilemmas in Europe.
Course note
This course will last run as a core course in the spring 2026 semester. It will turn into an elective course after this.
Syllabus
Draft 2026
Go to syllabusThis is a draft syllabus. The final syllabus will be available here a few days prior to the new course’s first start date.
Pre-requisites
One international relations or political science course at university level.
Faculty
Christopher Sparshott
Faculty; Teaching and Learning SpecialistPh.D. (Modern History, Northwestern University, 2007). MA (Modern History, Northwestern University, 2002). BA (Modern History, Oxford University, 2001). For two decades, I have taught courses in modern history at Northwestern University in the United States and Qatar in the Middle East. My teaching emphasises creative approaches to learning that builds bridges to the past. I am passionate about bringing history to life and introducing students to new places, people and ideas through innovative, student-focused pedagogy. Secretly, my goal is to turn all students into historians! In 2022 I joined DIS as a teaching and learning specialist in the Learning Lab and a faculty member in the European Humanities Department focusing on 20th Century Europe. Away from the classroom, I research and write about the American Revolution. I am fascinated by the minority of Americans who opposed independence and remained loyal to Britain. What motivated these doomed “loyalists” is at the centre of work. With DIS since 2022.