StudyQA — Master: International Studies (Security) — Oxford Brookes University (Page 314)

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Description Contents Requirements

These are interesting times for international studies. Issues such as globalisation, environmental degradation, poverty and deprivation, international conflict, the rise of religious fundamentalism, the future of democracy - among many others - challenge us to understand trends taking place in modern society. International studies is essentially concerned with these issues. It enables you to increase your understanding of contemporary issues in a global context.

One of the key themes in contemporary international studies is security in the global era. This course explores changes in the nature of war, military culture, and security itself as a practice and academic discipline, and also allows students to explore other aspects of contemporary globalisation. The course also aims to provide a sound grounding in research methods in the social sciences.

Why Brookes?

* A dynamic, supportive and rapidly growing community of research scholars undertaking internationally recognised research in international studies

* A reputation for excellence in teaching with ever stronger links between course content and the work of our research-active academic staff

* A flexible and exciting range of postgraduate courses as well as interdisciplinary opportunities provided through collaboration with our colleagues in Business and Law

* The opportunity to be part of a research active group and attend a rich programme of research seminars with presentations from high profile external guest speakers

* Excellent learning resources both at Brookes and through Oxford's Bodleian Library as well as the extensive use of e-learning facilities to complement your time in the classroom

* Links with International NGOs, many of whom are based in Oxford, such as Oxfam and Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID).

Career prospects

The programme will appeal to students who have a broad interest in international affairs, and to those whose future work is likely to involve the public sphere in an international and global context. It is relevant to careers in media and general management, as well as in the Civil Service, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations. It will also appeal to those wanting to progress to a research degree.

Knowledge of issues such as international development, global gender and employment and civil society would be extremely beneficial to any potential employee or volunteerHelen Saunders, Opportunity International

Professional advice

Staff working in the Oxford Brookes Careers and Employment Centre can help you to make the most of the transferable skills that employers are looking for. During your time here you will have the opportunity to attend student employability workshops, job fairs and employer presentations. In addition a dedicated workshop is held for all students on the taught postgraduate programme. This provides specific support and advice about the career opportunities afforded by studying International Studies.

Progression to PhD

Research is fundamental to the Department and is reflected in our strong research profile. A significant number of students choose to pursue a career in academia and the programme is an excellent foundation for those wanting to proceed to do a PhD.

Course length

Full-time: MA: 12 months; PG Dip: 9 months; PG Cert: 9 months
Part-time: MA: 24 months; PG Dip: 18 months; PG Cert: 18 months

Students studying for the MA/PG Dip in International Studies (Security) are required to complete the following three compulsory modules during Semester 1 (20 credits each):

International Relations in Theory and Practice provides an advanced investigation into theoretical approaches in the discipline of International Relations, as well as an overview of contemporary debates. It aims to establish a clear understanding of the role and purpose of theory, and its relation to substantive issues in international relations.

Global Political Economy examines the emerging global political economy through the vantage point of competing theoretical perspectives and the evolution of these perspectives, resulting from theoretical debates and the progressive encounter with empirical developments. Different theories reveal different aspects and dimensions of the global political economy and they are used to present key historical developments and contemporary issues of the global political economic order.

Readings in Social Science provides a critical introduction to the practices and controversies of contemporary social analysis and their relevance to substantive research. Its overall aim is to identify and analyse the bases - and hence implications - of the methodological choices social scientists make. Particular attention is paid to meta-theoretical controversies that have surfaced in social science over recent years and decades. Rather than remaining deracinated, these points of controversy are rooted in concrete examples and substantive debates - with an emphasis on their implications for concrete research projects and relevance for the techniques of contemporary political analysis.

In Semester 2 you take 'International Security in the Global Era' and 'Research Methods in the Social Sciences' (20 credits each) plus you can choose any one of the options below (20 credits)*:

International Security in the Global Era - Examines contemporary security issues through a critical investigation of news media coverage of the international security environment and through various academic texts that are engaged in exploring changes in the nature of war, military culture, and security itself as a practice and academic discipline. The aim is to provide students of different academic backgrounds with a rich introduction to some of the major debates in the field and the ability to apply key concepts and academic forms of analyses to critically engage with and evaluate current events.

Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Aims to acquaint students with basic social science research methods so that they can understand how evidence is produced and critically appraise the research they use. It includes discussion of research strategies and study design; research ethics; principles and methods of sampling; questionnaire design, interviewing and focus groups; principles of qualitative, documentary and survey analysis; comparative historical analysis; statistical analysis using SPSS; presenting findings and writing up research.

International Development - Since the end of the Cold War one of the key dynamics in world politics, namely the gap between rich and poor, has come into sharper focus. This module examines both the theory and practice of the international politics of development. The first half of the module looks at key theoretical debates and how these have related to practice. Various contemporary issues in development are then explored to illustrate the theoretical debates. These will include the Third World Debt Crisis, fair trade, development assistance, sustainable development and the resource curse thesis.

International Relations of East Asia - Introduces and analyses key aspects of international relations of the East Asia region, such as war and conflict, economic cooperation and competition, and patterns of intra-regional interaction. East Asia is defined as a region, encompassing Japan, the Russian Far East, Korea, China, South East Asia, and Taiwan. Given its extensive involvement in the region since the mid-nineteenth century, the role of the United States is also examined as a major outside power. As most IR theories are exclusively built upon Western diplomatic history, the module will critically apply some major IR theories to the experience of East Asia, by addressing the validity of existing theories for the analysis of East Asian international relations. It also considers the possible contribution the analysis of East Asia may make to the theoretical literatures the study of international relations.

Global Politics and the Environment - Critically investigates the way in which the tensions brought about by the global environmental crisis have been addressed globally, looking at institutional, conceptual ideological, socio-cultural and political economic facets.

Independent study - allows you to undertake a programme of study of your own choosing that is then agreed with a member of staff.

Dissertation

MA students are required to complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic related to any aspect of international relations as agreed with the dissertation module leader. Students are asked to work on their initial proposal during Semester 2. The main work on the dissertation will normally take place from June to early September. The dissertation also involves a presentation at the annual Postgraduate Day which is held every summer. This event brings together a guest speaker from outside the university, research students and all postgraduate students on the international studies courses.

Students taking the postgraduate certificate are required to complete 'International Relations in Theory and Practice', 'Global Political Economy' and one optional module from the list above.

Students are normally required to have at least a second class honours degree from a university in the UK or an equivalent qualification from countries outside the UK. The degree should be in an appropriate discipline.English language requirementsIf English is not your main language then you will also need to show that your English is at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.You will need * IELTS 6.0-7.0 (normally with 6.0 in reading and writing and a minimum of 5.5 in listening and speaking); * TOEFL ibt 78-95 overall (with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 18 in listening and 21 in speaking),For more information see your course details.Please see our complete list of acceptable English language qualifications. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 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. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL iBT® test: 78 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.