Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
MA Conflict, Security and Development
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Conflict, Security and Development | Programme code | PTA1HPSHPS66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Building on the strengths of International Relations at Exeter, the MA in Conflict, Security and Development programme offers an academic and vocational training in the related international policy fields of Conflict, Security and Development. It includes a core academic module Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics, and a bespoke work placement module with options of vocational placements in Exeter, London, the Middle East and Central Asia. This module, entitled Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development, allows you to undertake short internships with activist/advocacy/development groups and think tanks in the UK and overseas. You will learn about and experience the possibilities and pitfalls of aid programming and international diplomacy in these areas. Rather than learning to make policy yourselves, you will look at how policy is made and success/failure measured. You will also address fundamental critiques of this emerging global governance and assess what such new policies and practices tell us about the nature of world politics today.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to introduce you to both the academic study and professional practice of the international policy fields of conflict, security and development. You will explore examples and cases of policy-practice as well as analysing and evaluating concepts and theories of conflict, security and development. You will subsequently enter the work environment of international policy, acquiring vital knowledge and experience to prepare you for future employment in the field.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/students/postgraduatemodules_exeter/
Term 1:
POLM084 Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics (30 credits)
Optional module(s) (30 credits)
POLM886 Dissertation
Term 2:
POLM085 Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development (30 credits)
Optional module(s) (30 credits)
POLM886 Dissertation
Term 3:
POLM886 Dissertation (60 credits)
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLM084 | Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics | 30 | No |
| POLM085 | Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development | 30 | No |
| POLM886 | Dissertation | 60 | No |
Optional Modules
Optional module(s) (60 credits)
https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/students/postgraduatemodules_exeter/
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Understand the nature and significance of conflict, security and development as policy activities in world politics. | All five ILOs are achieved through a variety of activities from traditional lectures and tutorials to group work, simulations and technical trainings in specialist software and techniques. 1 and 4 are developed across the programme, moving from the first-term required module to optional modules. 2 and 3 are present in all modules. Development of 2 is ensured through the central place this takes in the first-term required module. 4 is ensured through the second-term required module and module options. 5 is ensured through assignments in the three-term required module, dissertation module. | These skills are summatively assessed through a combination of term-time essays, presentations, examinations and dissertation work. The combination of and length of essays, presentations, exams and dissertations will vary from one module to the next according to credit value in conformity with College Assessment Norms. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Gather, organise and deploy evidence and information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. | These skills are developed throughout the degree programme, with progression to independent control of the process by the dissertation phase (term 3). 3 is developed from in-class training and lectures, including the dissertation module’s first-term dissertation skills lectures, to independent research (the dissertation). | 1 and 2 are assessed through term-time essays, oral presentations, and examinations. 3 is assessed through assignments, project report (second-term required module) and the dissertation |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing. | 1 is developed in presentations, class discussion and written assignments. 2 and 3 are developed through presentations, written assignments and the work placement | 1 and 3 are assessed through presentations, written assignments, and examinations. 2 is assessed through written assignments that require ICT for the retrieval and presentation of information. 4 and 5 are assessed through the assignments for the term two work placement module. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
As an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student in the College of Social Sciences and International Studies you will be allocated a Personal Tutor at the commencement of your studies. In normal circumstances your Personal Tutor will remain your tutor throughout your study programme. Your Personal Tutor is normally available through scheduled office hours, but should also see you as a matter of course three or four times a year (depending on your year of study); these meetings may typically commence soon after registration. These meetings will take place once or twice mid-year to discuss your progress and to perhaps consider Personal Development Planning (ePDP) and once to discuss your overall performance. The ePDP is a particularly useful developmental tool which you are encouraged to utilise and which is accessible though the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
You should feel that you are able to approach your personal tutor for advice, pastoral support or academic support in a wider sense.
Library, ELE and other resources provided to support this programme:
The Library offers you core services for learning and research. Whilst the various locations house a large collection of materials and services, many of our resources are available online through this website http://as.exeter.ac.uk/library/ for you to use at home, work or wherever you are located for your study. Each discipline has a subject librarian on hand to help you to find resources and we also work with tutors to digitise reading lists for inclusion in the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE).
Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) is used throughout the University to make course materials available online. You will be able to access module information, presentations, handouts, reading materials as well as interacting with other students and your tutors. Many tutors use ELE to run assessments and set coursework assignments. In addition to the materials provided by your tutors, there are various other resources available on ELE to help you in your studies, for example, you will be able to access your ePDP, the University’s online PDP system, which has been developed to help you keep an ongoing record of your academic, work and extra-curricular experiences, and help you develop action plans and personal statements.
The University provides a range of IT services, including open and training clusters of PCs (available on a 24/7 basis). In the Social Sciences and International Studies College this includes a 24/7 suite in Amory and a second one in the St Luke’s Campus Library. These suites are accessible by swiping your university card. The majority of the College also has access to the university’s wireless network. Network access is available from the majority of rooms in University halls of residence through the ResNet system.
All of these suites have the standard ‘palms’ printing systems in them (printing from credit held on your university card). At the St Luke’s Campus there is also a cash-based printing service at the GSE Print Unit based in South Cloisters.
Please see link below for further information on the IT Services facilities on the Exeter Campuses: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/forum/public/Study_map_A4_2pp_Term3.pdf
Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and Cornwall campuses.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MA Conflict, Security and Development
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | Date of last revision | 29/03/2021 |
|---|
