300459 Security Challenges and Security Politics in Europe and Post-Soviet Space (MA: Politische Soziologie) (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

The course objective is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the concept
of security, its theoretical value as well as the process of its practical (policy)application within
various thematic and regional contexts of wider Europe. In particular, students will have the
opportunity to grasp the process of formation and conduct of security policy both within the
state and outside, i.e. in the field of international politics. At the same time, the focus will be
on both institutional and societal aspects of security thinking and practices in Europe. Several
key areas (policies) of the broader security concept will be elaborated to provide students with
the competence of understanding security policymaking; for instance, organizing defense
matters such as strategic and defence planning as an integral component of global and national
security. Additionally, contemporary security (and political) challenges in Europe and the post-
soviet area (e.g. Russian hybrid warfare etc.) will be offered to allow students to research
independently issues that lay in the intersection of state policies (internal and foreign),
security, and defense.