International Conflict Studies

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International Conflict Studies combines the intellectual endeavour associated with advanced learning and the practical policy implications emerging from particular approaches used in the study of conflict at regional, transnational, and global levels of interaction.

KEY BENEFITS
* The Department is unique in the UK and one of the few university departments in the world devoted exclusively to the study of war as a human phenomenon.
* The Department is a multidisciplinary institution devoted to the study of all aspects of war and conflict and the broad remit of international relations.
* The Department has an excellent reputation as a graduate training institution and is recognised by the British Academy, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research council as a training institution for War Studies.
* The Department places great emphasis on recruiting leading experts who bring with them not only a wealth of knowledge and ideas but an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, think-tanks, organisations, policy-making bodies and institutions.
* The unrivalled location in the heart of London beside the River Thames brings outstanding advantages. Students enjoy excellent academic, social and cultural opportunities. The department is close to the seat of Government, the City, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Inns of Court.
* Students have access to visiting academics, serving officers, government ministers and other experts who give regular public lectures and seminars.

PURPOSE
The programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of international conflict. It combines the intellectual endeavour associated with advanced learning and the practical policy implications emerging from particular approaches used in the study of conflict at regional, transnational, and global levels of interaction.

This programme is designed to have broad ranging appeal to those interested in pursuing graduate studies in the field of international relations and conflict studies. Those who may find this programme to be of particular interest include: graduates in political science, history, international relations and economics, those who have experience in the development field and those who have worked with international organisations.

DESCRIPTION
The MA programme provides students with a comprehensive understanding of international conflict. It aims to melt together theory and practice, providing advanced engagement with the theoretical and philosophical aspects of the subject as well as training in the investigation and analysis of specific cases of conflict. It enables students to engage critically with the application of social and political theory in developing an understanding of the origins, dynamics, and resolution of international and transnational conflict and political violence.

Students on this programme will examine the impact of globalisation on the complexities of present-day conflict; the politics of identity and how it relates to the emergence of violent conflict; the relationship between security, insecurity and the politics of violence at international level; the politics of security and how this relates to human rights and policies surrounding migration; the relationship between language and violent conflict; the place of cultural and gender difference in relation to conflict and peace, as well as the political and ethical implications of the diverse theoretical and methodological approaches in the study of conflict, violence, and peace.

Students specialising in this field emerge with advanced knowledge of the intellectual tools necessary for the understanding of late modern conflict and political violence and the capacity to utilise these in innovative thinking relating to the specific issue areas confronting global society in the present era.

The International Conflict Studies Programme Director is the head of the Centre for International Relations, one of the research centres in the Department of War Studies.

STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content

This programme aims to develop students' research skills, in particular their capacity to critically engage with the intellectual tools provided through their application to study specific conflict areas.

The MA programme contains the following elements:

* A compulsory element comprised of two modules (40 credits in total): Violence, the State & Global Politics; Concepts and Methods in International Relations. Please click on the link below for module descriptions.
* Optional modules chosen from a range of possibilities (80 credits in total). Please see a list of typical options below.
* A dissertation of 15,000 words worth 60 credits.

The dissertation counts for 60 credits (3/9) and the compulsory and optional modules count for 120 credits (6/9) in total. Students may choose their own topic but must be approved by the Department. If students are unsuccessful in any element of the MA programme there is a opportunity to retake in the following year. Part-time students are advised to take the compulsory module in the first year of study.

Indicative non-core content

Option modules

* All optional modules are 40 credits unless otherwise specified.
* Option modules begin in week 3 of term 1.
* In order to promote effective learning there are a limited number of student places available on each optional module.
* Some of the optional modules are prioritised for students on particular masters programmes.
* Each year the optional modules will vary, and we can not guarantee to offer all those listed in any given year.
* You are advised not to base your decision to join the degree programme soley on the list below.
* For a full list of option modules please refer to the MA in War Studies programme page here:
NB Option modules are allocated using purpose-designed software which the department has created to maximise student choice while keeping each option class to a reasonable size. The system weighs student preferences, and gives priority where necessary to options of particular relevance to each specific MA programme.

FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Continuous assessment by essay; examinations and a dissertation.

MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.

* Concepts and Methods in International Relations (20 Credits) - Required
* Art anda War - Optional
* Civil War In The US 1861-1865 - Optional
* Comparative Civil Wars (40 Credits) - Optional
* Complex Political Emergencies, Health & Security - Optional
* Conflict Prevention & Peace Building - Optional
* Conflict Simulation - Optional
* Conflict, Development And Islam In Russia, The Caucasus And Central Asia - Optional
* Contemporary British Defence Policy - Optional
* Current Issues In Science & Security - Optional
* Diplomacy - Optional
* East Asian Security - Optional
* Ethics In International Relations (20 Credits) - Optional
* European (In)Security (20 credits) - Optional
* Human Rights and Migration (20 credits) - Optional
* Inerdisciplinary Approaches to (In)security - Optional
* International Politics Of The Middle East - Optional
* Investigating Conflict in Global Politics - Optional
* Media And War - Optional
* Missile Proliferation - Optional
* Nationalism And Security - Optional
* Natural Resources & Conflict - Optional
* Open Source Intelligence - Optional
* Peace and Justice - Optional
* Proliferation & International Security - Optional
* Propaganda - Optional
* Reporting Wars - Optional
* Responding to Terrorism - Optional
* Science & Security Of Nuclear & Biological Weapons - Optional
* Security Issues in the Soviet Successor States - Optional
* Social Dimensions of Terrorism - Optional
* The Conduct Of Contemporary Warfare - Optional
* The Evolution Of Insurgency - Optional
* The JIC And British Intelligence - Optional
* The Meaning And Experience Of Imperialism - Optional
* The Occupied Territories Since 1967 - Optional
* The Politics of Intervention - Optional
* The Proliferation of Weapons - Optional
* The Result In War Is Never Final - Optional
* UK Foreign Policy - Optional
* US Foreign Policy - Optional
* War and Insurgency in the Middle East since 1945 - Optional

Minimum 2:1 first degree in history, international relations, political science, economics or other appropriate subject or an equivalent qualification from a British or overseas university; GPA must be above 3.3 (USA). Applicants must have English language competence. However we offer a two year programme built around the department's existing MA programmes and incorporating dedicated English language tuition. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A)

Students are generally self-funded.