Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics
Module title | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics |
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Module code | POLM084 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Kevork Oskanian () |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
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Module description
This first required module for MA Conflict, Security and Development (CSD) provides scholarly grounding of the evolving concepts and practices of CSD. Students will have the opportunity to reflect meaningfully upon International Relations’ conceptual frameworks used to interpret security, war and violence of war, the state, humanitarian intervention, issues of transitional justice, aid and development, and peace-building – in general and in the context of some contemporary case studies. The module will provide the necessary intellectual and historical contexts to prepare students for the term 2 requirement which is a work placement module based in an organisation that works on the kinds of activities studied in this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
By the end of this module you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the processes by which conflict, security and development have come to occupy, by the 21st century, a single field of international policy-practice directed towards postcolonial and postconflict states. Furthermore, you will analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of these policies and practices in specific post-Cold war cases. Students will exhibit this knowledge in the form of extended essays and group presentations.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the evolution of the concepts of conflict, security and development, their inter-relationships, the context in which they have developed and the major critical positions adopted towards them;
- 2. Analyse specific historical and contemporary cases of global governance and international intervention in the name of conflict, security and development;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Identify and discuss the key theoretical debates in International Relations regarding the analysis and evaluation of conflict, security and development as fields of global governance in states subject to international intervention;
- 4. Exercise informed judgement concerning the practical implications of these debates
- 5. Demonstrate the ability to locate arguments within an historical context
- 6. Exhibit an understanding of the relationship between context and theory;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Conduct independent research
- 8. Exercise critical judgment in the form of cogent and persuasive writing
- 9. Make rigorous and persuasive arguments in the form of a well-designed presentation
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some of the following topics:
1-3. Interpretations of Conflict, Security, and Development
4. Genocide and Crimes against Humanity
5. Nationalism
6. Refugees
7. Foreign Interventions in the post-Cold War Era
8. Building states to build peace. The merger of security and development
9. Pursuits of Justice and Reconciliation
10. Globalization and Conflict and Peace
11. Conclusions and implications
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour per week Seminars: Small group work, presentations, discussion |
Guided independent study | 278 | Reading, reflection, essay writing, presentation preparation |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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One essay plan | 500 words | 1, 2, 7 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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85 | 0 | 15 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay | 85 | 5000 words | 1-8 | Written |
Presentation | 15 | 20 Minutes | 2,4,9 | Written/oral |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Essay | 5000 word essay | 1-8 | August/September re-assessment period. |
Presentation | 20 minutes | 2, 4, 9 | Beginning of Term 2 |
Re-assessment notes
Re-arranged presentations will be agreed with the Module Convenor
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Library resources:
Danielle Beswick and Paul Jackson, Conflict, Security and Development: An Introduction, Routledge 2011.
Mary Anderson, Do No Harm: How Aid Can Support Peace or War, Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 1999.
Michael Barnett and Thomas G. Weiss, Humanitarianism in Question: Politics, Power, Ethics, Cornel University Press, 2008.
Alan Collins, Ed., Contemporary Security Studies, Oxford University Press, 2018 (or previous editions).
David Lake, The Statebuilder’s Dilemma: On the Limits of Foreign Intervention. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2016.
Klejda Mulaj Ed., Postgenocide, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021.
Paul D. Williams and Matt McDonald, Eds., Security Studies, Routledge, 2018 (or previous editions).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | Yes |
Origin date | 30/10/2013 |
Last revision date | 27/08/2020 |