Appraising  Security Assignment

After reading Keith Krause and Michael C. Williams, “Broadening the Agenda of Security Studies: Politics and Methods” and Buzan and Hansen, “The Evolution of International Security Studies, Ch.7: Widening and Deepening Security article”.  

Students will ask three individuals – a grandparent, family member, and/or friend – about their knowledge of the most pressing security concerns today and in twenty years. Once you have conducted the interview (questions available in Canvas) and collected information from the interview, you will write a synopsis about the individuals you interviewed and provide an analysis utilizing the reading listed above.  

Why is this an important activity?

Learning about and writing an analysis of individuals perception aids students in distinguishing between stories that are fictional and the real-life dynamics of our world. In addition, it aids in understanding the evolution of security concerns and how those concerns are compared to peoples’ values; thus, mindset (view of the world).

Final Submission must include: (between 4 ½ – 5 pages- does not include the reference page or appendix) – Due June 20th

Utilize the following resources for this assignment. 

• Appraising Security Interview Guide.pdf
• INR 3081 Appraising Security Interview Form .docx

Make sure each of the three sections/headers below is outlined accordingly in your final submission. Simply, add section headers to your submission.

1. Interviewee Observation and Application: 10 points
   • In your submission describe what you have drawn (broad assumptions) about the experiences of each person interviewed. (2 paragraph)
     • Reference each interview in the context of your analysis with either the respondents’ alias (a name you made up) or as Respondent 1, Respondent 2, or Respondent 3.
   • Then, compare and contrast each respondents’ answers regarding security concerns to the arguments brought forth in the Keith Krause and Michael C. Williams, “Broadening the Agenda of Security Studies: Politics and Methods” and Buzan and Hansen, “The Evolution of International Security Studies, 7: Widening and Deepening Security article (2 paragraphs –one paragraph per article)
     • Draw specific assertions from the reading to compare to the respondents’ responses (in-text citation is required)
2. Self-Analysis and Application: 14 points
   • Discuss how this assignment and course impacted your thoughts about security and how individuals define what is security and its correlation to our values. (2 paragraphs)
   • What do you (not the respondents) believe is the most pressing security concerns in the world today? (1paragraph)
   • How has nationalism influenced the most pressing security concerns in the world today? (1paragraph)
   • What do you (not the respondents) believe will be the most pressing security challenges in twenty years? (1paragraph)
   • How would you resolve this forecasted (in twenty years) security challenge? In your answer consider the complexities of the social, political, and economic environment of the international community. (2-3 paragraphs)
3. Three Interviews (place in the Appendix): 12 points- 4 points each