Security Studies (Minor)

Security Studies (Minor)

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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

Contact

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, 603-862-8020.

  1. Five courses (20 credits)
  2. Students must receive a grade of C or better for a course to count toward the minor requirements.
  3. 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.
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 Credits20
1

If not counted for core requirement. 

Electives within humanities departments and programs:

HIST 537Espionage and History4
HIST 619Foreign Relations of the United States4
HIST 620Foreign Relations of the United States4
HUMA 525Humanities and the Law4
PHIL #635Advanced Topics in Philosophy of Law and Justice4

Electives outside humanities departments and programs:

CMN 456Propaganda and Persuasion4
JUST 405Technology, Crime, and Society: A Forensic Exploration of High-Tech and Digital Crime4
PSYC 756Psychology of Crime and Justice4
SOC 450Contemporary Social Problems4
SOC 515Introductory Criminology4
SOC #656Terrorism4
SOC 693Global Social Change4
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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