UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD Faculty of Social Sciences Programme title: MA in Peace Studies Awarding and teaching institution: Final award and interim award(s): Programme title: Programme approved / accredited by: Duration: UCAS code Relevant subject benchmark statement(s): FHEQ Level: Date produced: University of Bradford MA Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate Certificate [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 7] Peace Studies N/A 1 year full-time, 2 5 years part-time N/A N/A 7 June 2009 Last updated : January 2017 Introduction Underlying the MA in Peace Studies programme is a set of questions that lie at the heart of the intellectual enquiries of the Division of Peace Studies. What do we mean by peace and related concepts, such as violence, conflict, security, development, sustainability, democracy, equality and justice? How do these values inform the ways in which we approach the study of peace and conflict, and for practical efforts to build more peaceful relationships? The work of Peace Studies is characterised by a commitment to rights based and participatory approaches that build conditions for positive peace by enabling the voices and interests of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised to be articulated and incorporated into scholarship, decision making and policy processes. The modules we offer as part of the MA in Peace Studies draw on the expertise and research of our academic staff, many of whom are also actively engaged in working with a range of agencies in the field, from the local level to the international arena. These modules approach the theme of peace and 1
the question of how to build more peaceful relationships and less violent societies from a range of different angles and perspectives, from advanced analyses of violence at multiple levels to different strategies for responding to conflict, from the history of Peace Studies as an academic field of study to a critical engagement with the challenges facing peace theorists and practitioners into an uncertain future. The Master programme encourages you to consider at an advanced level the tensions inherent in pursuing peace and within peace studies as an academic discipline and practice. Established in 1973, the Division of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford is internationally recognised as one of the world s leading centres of high-quality applied research, consultancy, teaching and training on violent conflict, human security, democratic governance and sustainable development issues. Peace Studies at Bradford has been the home of key contributors to peace scholarship and peace theory in recent decades and in 2002 was chosen as one of only seven postgraduate Rotary Foundation International Centres for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, selected from over one hundred universities worldwide (and the only Centre in Europe). Peace Studies at Bradford has been built on strong relations with the Quakers and has benefitted from the support of the Quaker Peace Studies Trust. The MA in Peace Studies attracts many students who already possess experience in peace related activities. The programme is structured to enable you to share and learn with others and to reflect on and systematise experience. With an MA in Peace Studies, you would be able to apply for a range of different jobs both in the public sector and the private sector. Some examples of possible jobs to apply for would include: government agencies, the foreign office, the diplomatic corps, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), journalism, risk analysis for banks. Programme Aims The aims for the programme are to: Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma A1 Develop skills to enable the critical evaluation of theory and policy in relation to the field of peace and conflict studies. A2 Develop autonomous learning skills for lifelong learning. A3 Develop personal and transferable skills in management, research and planning. A4 A5 Advance and develop knowledge and critical skills to analyse policy and practice in relation to the field of peace and conflict studies. Develop the necessary knowledge and skills to be reflective and critical about the field of peace and conflict. 2
Master A6 A7 A8 Critically analyse current and emerging research and practice. Critically appraise the nature of evidence in the field of peace and conflict studies. Develop your capacity to relate academic study to policy issues relevant to the field of peace and conflict studies. Programme Learning Outcomes When you have successfully completed level 7 of the programme you will be able to: Postgraduate Certificate LO1. Critically appraise policy debates and practice on issues relevant to the field of peace and conflict studies. LO2. Evaluate complex information on a range of issues relevant to the field of peace and conflict studies. LO3. Use initiative in self-directed learning and in constructing written arguments. LO4. Critically evaluate policy practices relevant to the field of peace and conflict. LO5. Synthesise complex information gathered from a range of sources. Postgraduate Diploma LO6. Critically evaluate advanced theoretical concepts in peace and conflict studies. LO7. Critically reflect on advanced theoretical concepts relevant to the field of peace and conflict studies. LO8. Apply originality and creative problem solving in dealing with complex issues. Master LO9. Demonstrate a detailed and critical knowledge of current research and scholarship in a specialist area within the field of peace and conflict studies. LO10. Identify appropriate research designs and methods for specific purposes and applications. LO11. Apply critical reasoning to the existing evidence base and scholarship. LO12. Formulate a research project, gather and analyse evidence, and present results supporting argument with evidence. Curriculum For the Master, you must study modules amounting to 180 credits, which includes a dissertation worth 60 credits and taught modules amounting to 3
120 credits. If you are studying full time you must take taught modules amounting to 60 credits in each semester. The Postgraduate Diploma programme extends over a period of two semesters (full time) or four semesters (part time). You must study modules amounting to 120 credits. If you are studying full time you must take taught modules amounting to 60 credits in each semester. You may take the Master or Postgraduate Diploma on a part-time basis over two years. If you are studying part time you must take 60 credits in your first year, and a further 60 taught credits in your second year. Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma [Level 7] Module Code PES7008-B Module Title Type Credits Level Study period Introduction to Peace Core 20 7 1 Studies PES7004-B Cities in Conflict Core 20 7 2 PES7007-B PES7009-B PES7010-B PES7011-B PES7024-B PES7021-B Introduction to African Politics Fragile States and the Security-Development Nexus Conflict Resolution Theory International Politics and Security Studies Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Religions, Conflict and Peacemaking in a Post- Secular World PES7001-B Africa Study Visit PES7002-B PES7005-B PES7013-B PES7014-B Gender, Conflict and Development Applied Conflict Resolution Skills Social Movements, Globalization and Political Change Regional and Global Security Politics 4
Master [level 7] Module Code Module Title Type Credits Level Study period PES7019-E Dissertation (PS) Core 60 7 DISS The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. Teaching and Assessment Strategies Our teaching and learning strategies are structured around principles of participation and promote your active collaboration. They encourage the development of your existing skills in a range of areas, from subject specific knowledge to transferable and applied skills that are essential for future employability. A variety of strategies are employed on the Master programme including lectures, tutorials, simulations, role play, seminars and group work. Hand-outs supplement the lectures and audio-visual aids are employed where appropriate. We strongly encourage the use of digital learning technologies, for example the use of podcasts of major international conferences and interviews, Skype conferences with colleagues and peers, virtual field work and the use of tools such as webquest. A virtual learning environment called Blackboard will also be used to support tandem learning (posting of lecture notes and presentations, readings and other relevant materials; email discussion groups, notice boards and announcements) and as a portal to information and organisations which focus on peace and conflict issues. There is also a schedule of Divisional seminars and guest speakers. A range of assessment methodologies are employed across the modules including: essays, reflexive journals, analysis reports, and formally assessed group and individual presentations. These are configured to enable you to meet the learning aims and outcomes of the Master programme. There are two core modules on the MA Peace Studies and these assessments enhance your skills and test your learning. A dissertation of 14-15,000 words (maximum) must be submitted by a date to be determined by the Division each year and clearly specified in the Master handbook. Assessment Regulations This programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinances-and-regulations/ Admission Requirements The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision 5
to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience. If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications. We are continually reviewing and developing our practices and policies to make the University more inclusive, but if you are disabled we may need to make some adjustments to make sure that you are not disadvantaged. We would advise you to contact the programme leader before you apply to discuss these. 6