Madhavi Devasher
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Security Studies (Minor)
Security Studies (Minor)
What is security studies?
The interdisciplinary security studies minor will help you develop the analytical and research skills to address security challenges on a national and international scale. Students explore a variety of topics that affect domestic, global and homeland security. You’ll learn about the causes and prevention of conflict, nuclear weapons, pandemics, immigration, drug wars, military operations and technology, intelligence, diplomacy, climate change, environmental devastation and more. Our award-winning faculty have expertise in China, India, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and the U.S. Through this minor, you will apply research to real-world issues and develop the skills to help guide security decisions and policymakers.
Why study security studies at UNH?
Studying security studies at UNH will help you tailor your degree to your future goals. You can combine this minor with a major such as history, political science or international affairs to prepare for a variety of in-demand careers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, or for future graduate studies in law, national security policy or public service. Let employers know you have the expertise and skills to be an asset. The UNH Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will allow you to research challenges in cybersecurity and safety, and you’ll be able to conduct relevant research through the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research.
Potential career areas
- Counterintelligence
- Cyber investigations
- Diplomacy
- Emergency management
- FBI or CIA
- International nonprofits
- Law
- Law enforcement
- Military
- Network security administration
- Systems security engineering
Curriculum & Requirements
The security studies minor will provide students with the opportunity to explore the many dimensions of security through the interdisciplinary study of political science, anthropology, communication, geography, history, humanities, justice studies, sociology, women's and gender studies, economics and aerospace studies. This well-rounded curriculum will enable students to build upon their interest in political science by specializing in an area of increasing importance — domestic and global security.
The field of security studies has always been important within the discipline of political science, but the concept of security has broadened and become more problematized in recent years. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, federal, state and local governments created thousands of jobs that require knowledge of security issues and the ability to conduct research. Leaders at all levels count on staff with analytical skills to design and conduct research to support decision-making, and communicate the results of this research effectively to policy-makers. Individuals who understand the national security environment and have the ability to design and conduct research are in critical demand in the public sector, private sector and not-for-profit entities.
For more information, contact Madhavi Devasher, madhavi.devasher@unh.edu, 603-862-8020.
- Five courses (20 credits)
- Students must receive a grade of C or better for a course to count toward the minor requirements.
- No more than 8 credits may double count between majors and minors. Thus, political science majors pursuing the security studies minor can only double count up to two of the three required political science courses below. The third required course must be taken in addition to courses taken to fulfill major requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Select one core POLT course of the following: | 4 | |
POLT 560 | World Politics | |
POLT 562 | Strategy and National Security Policy | |
POLT 568 | International Security | |
| Select two intermediate POLT courses of the following: | 8 | |
POLT 403 | United States in World Affairs | |
POLT 513 | Civil Rights and Liberties | |
POLT 545 | People and Politics in Asia | |
POLT 546 | Wealth and Politics in Asia | |
POLT 548 | Drug Wars | |
POLT 551 | Ethnicity ,Violence, Democracy | |
POLT #554 | Revolution and Protest in Latin America | |
POLT 556 | Politics in China | |
POLT 559 | Comparative Politics of the Middle East | |
POLT 560 | World Politics 1 | |
POLT #561 | Introduction to International Political Economy | |
POLT 562 | Strategy and National Security Policy 1 | |
POLT 563 | The Global Information Grid's Disruptive Impact on Government, Politics, and Society | |
POLT 565 | United States Policy in Latin America | |
POLT 566 | Asian Challenge to Global Order | |
POLT 568 | International Security 1 | |
POLT 569 | The Rise of China | |
POLT 570 | Counterterrorism: Nation states' responses to terrorist activity | |
POLT 592 | Selected Topics in International Politics | |
POLT 595 | Smart Politics | |
POLT 740 | States and Societies in the Middle East | |
POLT 742 | Politics of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India | |
POLT 751 | Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy | |
POLT 760 | Theories of International Relations | |
POLT 762 | International Political Economy | |
POLT 765 | Security Intelligence Study | |
POLT 778 | International Organization | |
POLT 797C | Seminar in Comparative Politics | |
POLT 797E | Seminar in International Politics | |
| Electives | ||
| Select two electives from other disciplines (at least one must be in a humanities department or program) | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
| 1 | If not counted for core requirement. |
Electives within humanities departments and programs:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 537 | Espionage and History | 4 |
| HIST 619 | Foreign Relations of the United States | 4 |
| HIST 620 | Foreign Relations of the United States | 4 |
| HUMA 525 | Humanities and the Law | 4 |
| PHIL #635 | Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Law and Justice | 4 |
Electives outside humanities departments and programs:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMN 456 | Propaganda and Persuasion | 4 |
| JUST 405 | Technology, Crime, and Society: A Forensic Exploration of High-Tech and Digital Crime | 4 |
| PSYC 756 | Psychology of Crime and Justice | 4 |
| SOC 450 | Contemporary Social Problems | 4 |
| SOC 515 | Introductory Criminology | 4 |
| SOC 656 | Terrorism | 4 |
| SOC 693 | Global Social Change | 4 |
| Other POLT courses can be approved by the core faculty upon request. | ||
Once students have declared the minor, they are required to meet with the coordinator or appropriate affiliated faculty adviser at least once per semester for regular review and assessment of their program, learning outcomes, and progress toward the degree.
Transfer credits may be approved by the coordinator to count toward the minor. If the transfer credit is accepted by the University and fits within the scope of the minor, it will be considered.
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