Bachelor of Arts: Security Studies - Non-military challenges in the 21st century

Security Studies

(3-year Bachelor's Degree Program)

Security Studies offers an in-depth look at the issue of security, focusing on its non-military aspects such as those related to the social, political, economic, informational and environmental sectors. Security Studies analyses security problems at the local, national and transnational levels through the prism of internationalization, and with an emphasis on human security, security and safety management, strategies aiming at preventing and combating threats.

The uniqueness of the studies lies in the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. A rich internship program which is a part of the Security Studies program gives students the opportunity to combine theory with their first professional experience. As a result, graduates become professionals capable of providing efficient responses to different security challenges and engage in decision-making processes within the security sector.

Career options

• The main areas of employment are:
• Public and Private Security
• Administration Structures
• Governmental, Non-governmental Organizations
• Corporation
• Security Monitoring Centers
• Crisis Management Centers
• Search and Rescue Institutions
• Strategic Studies Institutes
• Education and Trainees Centers

Sample job positions:

• Chief Security Officer
• Security Manager in the Community and Organizations
• Communications Officer (CO)
• Public Relations Officer (PRO)
• Quality Manager
• Analyst
• Human Resources Officer
• Inspectorate of the Environment

During the first three semesters, students will acquire basic knowledge in security science and related areas such as law, economics, strategic and management studies, data analysis and computer science in the following lecture modules:

• Theory of Security Science
• History of Security
• Law on Security
• Introduction to Strategic Management
• Strategic Planning and Strategic Analysis
• Regionalization and Institutionalization of Security
• Actors in Security Management
• Hard & Soft Power in Contemporary Politics
• Geo-economics
• Security Threats and Challenges in Europe
• Grand Strategy in National and International Security
• Security Systems
• Technology and Security
• Risk Management
• Introduction to Big Data
• Computer Science

In the second half of the program (semester 4-6) students deepen their knowledge and acquire cognitive and practical skills in selected aspects of security. Students will have the opportunity to choose a number of optional courses from the modules offered:

Socio-Political Security focuses on the threats to citizens, public and private institutions in a democratic country as well as challenges for states that function within transnational and supranational frameworks. An essential element of the module is the study of mechanisms and tools required for counteracting these threats, which include effective security management. The module will consist of the following courses:

• The Open Society and its Enemies
• Challenges and Barriers of Social Security
• Financial Security
• Intercultural Conflicts Management Strategies
• Non-Governmental Forms of Security
• Extremism – Prevention and Combating Strategies
• Management of Public Security
• Crisis Management Models in Europe
• Migration Management in the European Union

Information Security & Strategic Communication is addressed to future strategic analysts and communication managers. Strategic communication can mean either communicating a concept, a process, or data that satisfies a long-term strategic goal of an organization by allowing facilitation of advanced planning, or communicating over long distances, usually using international telecommunications or global network assets to coordinate actions and activities of security actors. The program contains the following subjects:

• Strategy and Strategic Culture
• Strategic Management and Information
• Models of Communications
• Network Centric Conflicts & Asymmetry of Information
• Cyberspace and Cyber Security
• Propaganda, Persuasion and Public Opinion
• Media and Conflict
• Strategic Analysis of Threat Information
• Big Data and Information Security Management

Environmental Security, besides fostering peace and human rights, is also the engine of local and regional economic stability. Strategies of adaptation to and mitigation of climate change as well as management of security risks are the key concepts for sustainable human development. The purpose of this module is to provide comprehensive analysis of issues related to environmental security, both through theory and case studies. The module will consist of the following courses:

• Theory and Research Methods in Environmental Security
• Global Environmental Problems
• Conflicts over Natural Resources
• Energy Security – Global, European and National Perspectives
• International Organizations in Environmental Security Management
• Environmental Security Policy in European Countries
• Risk Management Strategies, Monitoring and Early Warning (flood, earthquake desertification, land-use, GMO, etc.)
• Management of Sustainable Human Development (Health-, Food-, Water-,Biodiversity- Security)
• Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies to the Climate Change Challenge

Security Education and Promotion is addressed to future security educators, NGO leaders, education officials, promoters and PR officers in public administration and business. The aim of the module is to offer students the opportunities to acquire skills required for the dissemination of knowledge, providing trainings and organizing campaigns related to safety of individuals, regions and states. The module will consist of the following courses:

• Behavioral Psychology in Crisis Situations
• Safety Management in Crisis Situations
• Building Security Awareness
• Security PR
• Management of Prevention Services
• Education for Security
• Education of Children and Adults
• Teaching Approaches and Methodology

Students can also take advantage of a wide range of specialized courses such as first aid, road rescue, water rescue, mountain rescue and mass rescue operations, offered by the Lower Silesian Academy of Emergency and Security Studies Center at ULS (University of Lower Silesia).

The program is available in English.

The University reserves the right to make changes to the program offered.