UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD Faculty of Social Sciences Programme title: MA in Peace, Conflict and Development Awarding and teaching University of Bradford institution: Final award and interim award(s): Programme title: Programme approved / accredited by: Duration: UCAS code Relevant subject benchmark statement(s): FHEQ Level: MA Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate Certificate [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 7] Peace, Conflict and Development 1 year full time, 2-5 years part-time 7 Date produced: January 2012 Last updated : January 2017 Introduction The Divisions of Peace Studies and the Bradford Centre for International Development are both long established parts of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Bradford. Each have a strong set of Master programmes, alongside undergraduate, postgraduate research, knowledge transfer and research programmes. Both have high international reputations in their respective areas, in terms of teaching, research and policy and programme engagement. The MA in Peace, Conflict and Development aims to combine the strengths of these two Divisions in providing a structured, innovative and challenging taught Master programme on the important inter-relationships between peace, conflict and development. It offers a comprehensive introduction and analysis of the interrelationships between development, conflict, and security in developing, fragile and transitional societies. It covers: peace and development in fragile developing countries; development theory, policy and programming debates; inter-relationships between insecurity, poverty and development; peace and peace-building (including conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction); human security issues; natural resource conflict, co-operation and management; environment and security in developing and fragile political contexts; and conflict-sensitive development principles and practices. It also equips you with practical skills in order to analyse, assess, and help to design and manage projects and programmes in the field. 1
With an MA in Peace, Conflict and Development, you would be able to apply for a range of different jobs both in the public sector and the private sector, at community, national or international levels. Good transferable skills development opens many options, but the programme should particularly enhance employability in the areas relevant to: development policy and programmes, development and other international aid; peace, conflict and security issues, policies and programmes; working in, and engaging with, fragile and conflict affected states. Some examples of possible jobs to apply for would include: government agencies, foreign and development ministries and agencies; community, national or international NGOs; applied or academic policy analysis, journalism or risk analysis. Programme Aims The programme is intended to: A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 Develop your skills to enable you to evaluate theory and policy in relation to peace, conflict, development and their inter-relationships. Develop your autonomous learning skills for lifelong learning. Develop your personal and transferable skills in communication, research and planning. Equip you with the knowledge and skills to develop and to critically analyse policy and practice in peace, conflict prevention and resolution; security, poverty alleviation and development in developing or transitional societies. Equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a reflective and critical practitioner. Critically analyse current and emerging research and practice. Critically appraise the nature of evidence in peace, conflict and development. Formulate and independently investigate a complex research question and communicate your findings at an advanced level. Programme Learning Outcomes When you have successfully completed level 7 of the programme you will be able to: Postgraduate Certificate LO1. Critically evaluate advanced theoretical concepts in peace, conflict development and their inter-relationships. LO2. Critically appraise policy in relation to peace, conflict and development. LO3. Evaluate complex information on a range of issues related to peace, conflict and development. LO4. Use initiative in self-directed learning and construct written argument. Postgraduate Diploma LO5. Critically reflect on advanced theoretical concepts in development policy and apply these concepts to a range of contexts. LO6. Critically evaluate practice or policy-based intervention relating to a range of contexts which may include: development, development aid; conflict prevention and resolution; peace-building; natural resource management; and governance. 2
LO7. Synthesise complex information gathered from a range of sources. 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. LO10. Identify appropriate research designs and methods for specific purposes and applications. LO11. Identify gaps and inconsistencies in the evidence base guiding policy and practice. LO12. Apply critical reasoning to the existing evidence base and scholarship. Curriculum For the Master, you must study modules amounting to 180 credits, which includes a dissertation worth 60 credits and taught modules amounting to 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 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 [Level 7] Title Type Credits Level Study PES7008-B Introduction to Peace Studies Core 20 7 1 DEV7003-B Issues in Development Theory Core 20 7 1 PES7009-B Fragile States and the Security- Development Nexus PES7010-B Conflict Resolution Theory PES7011-B International Politics and Security Studies PES7007-B Introduction to African Politics PES7024-B Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding and Statebuilding 3
Postgraduate Diploma [Level 7] Title Type Credits Level Study PES7003-B Natural Resource Governance, Core 20 7 2 Conflict and Co-operation PES7002-B Gender, Conflict and Option 20 7 2 Development PES7004-B Cities in Conflict Option 20 7 2 PES7005-B Applied Conflict Resolution Skills Option 20 7 2 PES7006-B African Security Studies Option 20 7 2 PES7001-B African Study Visit Option 20 7 2 DEV7002-B Issues in Development Policy Option 20 7 2 DEV7006-B Public Policy Analysis and Management Option 20 7 2 Masters [level 7] PES7020-E Title Type Credits Level Study Dissertation (Peace, Conflict and Core 60 7 DISS Development) The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. Teaching and Assessment Strategies Most teaching is lecture or group based for taught modules, while individual supervisors provide specialist guidance during dissertation writing (starting in Semester 2). Hence, as the programme progresses, the main learning method gradually becomes more individualised and student centred. The programme starts with an intensive induction week to develop your learning and personal development planning skills and to provide an introduction to IT and library resources. Additional group and one to one support is provided for you if you require it. You are introduced to academic writing, research and analytical skills as part of the preparation for writing your dissertation. To ensure the systematic development of knowledge of key subjects, modules are assessed by a variety of assessments in addition to essays and formal examinations. Group work, where the assessment may be based on a report or a presentation, provides you with both team work experience and practice in different ways of expressing arguments and information. Some modules may also use problem solving exercises or ask you to develop a portfolio of your work. Assessment Regulations This programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link: 4
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 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. The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the University's regulations and programme approval, enhancement and review procedures. 5