This module approaches questions of security and conflict in the contemporary world by providing opportunities for their in-depth analysis in two contrasting ways: first, by focussing on a range of contemporary issues and dynamics raised by recent conflicts and security questions, each of them discussed with the help of a range of contrasting examples. Then, the second part of the module will provide an opportunity to explore two cases of conflicts and/or security crises, the study of which will allow in-depth discussion several of the issues explored in the first part of the module together.
Both parts of the module provide opportunities to use and challenge various theoretical and conceptual approaches of conflict and security issues at an advanced level. The range of issues analysed and studied in the first half of the module, as well as the choice of case studies selected each year for the second half, will evolve through time, but both will offer rich and contrasting grounds for an in-depth practical and critical understanding of contemporary security and conflict situations and management.
So for instance, issues, themes and dynamics explored and analysed in the first half will include: New forms of conflict in the post-Cold War period; Ethnicity and national citizenship in contemporary conflicts; Terrorism, insurgency and political violence; Issues of gender in conflict; Sovereignty, the Nation-State and international intervention; New forms of international conflict management, etc… Then, in the second half of the module, examples of case studies which will be developed may include: Recent conflicts in West Africa; Conflicts in Bosnia; the Northern Ireland conflict; etc. In analysing each of these conflicts, several of the issues and themes developed in the first part will be highlighted and explored within the case study itself – for instance the West African conflicts case study will provide ample opportunities to revisit and discuss issues such as ‘New forms of conflicts in the post-war period'; ‘Refugees, mass migration and citizenship', ‘Ethnicity and national citizenship in contemporary conflicts'. Students select two case studies in the second part of the module.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
CURRRICULUM CONTENT (INDICATIVE)
The first part of the curriculum is devoted to the study of specific issues and dynamics relevant to contemporary forms of conflicts, among which:
In a second part students will study two case studies, or choose two among a choice of three; for instance, the choice may be between:
1) Conflicts in West Africa
2) The War over Bosnia
3) The Northern Ireland conflict
Weekly lectures provide background and contextual information and suggest analyses to be explored by students. These are complemented by seminar workshops in which students analyse and discuss issues relating to the lectures, undertake presentations, compare their learning and understanding with their peers, and receive formative feedback from tutors.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 one-hour lectures 22 one-hour seminars | 22 22 |
| Guided independent study | Student independent study | 256 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment takes the form of two written pieces: at the end of the first part, an essay of 3000 words on a topic related to an conflict issue (50%); at the end of the second semester, a situation report (3000 words) on one of the two case studies, exploring a specific issue in the context of the conflict studied in the case study (50%).
Formative assessment takes for instance the form of regular short presentations critically reviewing important literature, or exploring contrasting approaches to a specific issue. Weekly feedback and feed forward also enable students to develop understanding and improve their learning experience through tutor guidance and peer review.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Provide a focused and well-informed analysis of the salient issues and dynamics of contemporary forms of conflicts and conflict management | Assessed summatively through essay and report and formatively via seminar activities |
| Compare and contrast the significance of these issues and dynamics in specific case studies of conflicts, informing their analysis with a relevant use of theory, and displaying an awareness of normative and ethical issues raised in and by these conflicts | Assessed summatively through essay and report and formatively via seminar activities |
| Analyse the relative roles and responsibilities of the range of actors involved in these conflicts and critically evaluate competing arguments advanced by these actors | Assessed summatively through essay and report and formatively via seminar activities |
| Demonstrate study and research techniques appropriate to the advanced study of issues and dynamics of contemporary conflicts, including proficiency at articulating ideas and findings. | Assessed summatively through essay and report and formatively via seminar activities |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Coursework | Situation Report | 50 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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