StudyQA — Master: Politics and Parliamentary Studies

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Description Contents Requirements

Security and justice lie at the heart of our social and political life and, arguably, are issues that form the foundation of national and international governance.

We designed MA Security and Justice for those who want to develop an in-depth, comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of security and justice issues in contemporary societies, and critically reflect upon the relationships between security concerns, governance processes and issues of rights and liberties at both national and transnational levels.

A blend of disciplinary approaches combined with the wide range of choice offers you the opportunity to develop a comprehensive programme through which you will be able to address the security and justice issues relating to conflict at a local, national and international level. The curriculum ranges from a focus on the historical origins of the state and criminological approaches to penology, through to complex theoretical models of the social construction of security in international relations.

You will develop in-depth perspectives whilst studying contemporary transnational security concerns from counterterrorism to international war crimes. In parallel to this concentration on theory, you will also develop an understanding of research methodologies in criminology, social policy and international relations in order to ensure you are fully equipped to develop a research dissertation under the direct supervision of a member of staff.

You will be able to develop a broad range of interdisciplinary perspectives on security and justice from the underlying psychological assumptions of social control through to perspectives on the balance between security and human rights. You will reflect upon the theoretical foundations of the field, particularly in Law and International Relations, and develop an understanding of the principles of securitisation, policing and governance.

You will explore the impact of major events in social and political history upon both theory but also the politics of international relations, technologies of social control and the institutions of security and governance. You will also examine a range of issues including the role of crime and punishment, issues of counter terrorism, and what makes a just International Order. In so doing, you will develop a capacity to critically reflect upon contemporary issues in light of research, theory and philosophies of security and justice.

Recognised research methods pathwayMA Security and Justice also provides a research methods pathway that is recognised by the White Rose Doctoral Training College as sufficient for the +1 component of students aiming to study for PhDs.

Career possibilitiesMA Security and Justice is ideal if you plan to work in a range of professions that relate to governance, policing, social policy, international relations, academia and other areas pertinent to security and justice. The programme will also equip you with the skills and knowledge to enter into further academic research and to pursue professional careers in the Civil Service, media and publishing, teaching and training, policy, international agencies and the fields of security and policing.

Vocational posts in organisations such as, the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the armed forces are also potential destinations for graduates.

If you want to * understand security and justice in contemporary societies
* analyse local and international conflicts
* study transnational security concerns and international criminal justice
* examine security and justice from the perspectives of Law, International Relations, Politics, Criminology and Sociology

then consider MA Security and Justice.

This course has a nunmber of compulsory modules. You also choose optional modules from to complete your programme.

Compulsory modulesSecurity and Justice is a core module jointly taught by the Schools of Law and Politics and International Relations. The module addresses how we define security (and insecurity) and examines the social, political, legal and policy responses to insecurity in the contemporary global order. The module also considers theories and philosophies of justice and enables an analytical and empirically informed treatment of the linkages between issues of security and justice at both the national and international level.

Researching Security and Justice provides detailed knowledge and critical awareness of social research. The module addresses qualitative and quantitative research skills needed to conduct and understand security and justice research.

Security and Justice Dissertation as students progress through the MA they may develop an interest in the research and theory of one of the many world-class research centres in the participating Schools. In consultation with the course Director, this MA allows you to select a Dissertation in any of the participating Schools in order to enable you to work directly under the supervision of a leading researcher connected directly with the specialist research centre. This flexibility combined with module choice will enable you to develop both an interdisciplinary perspective and specialist skills in particular areas of research expertise.

Optional modulesSchool of Law

* Contemporary Criminological Theory and Approaches
* Criminal Justice Processes
* Policing 1: The Nature of Contemporary Policing
* Cyberspace Law: Contemporary Issues
* Cyberlaw: Regulation of Cyberspace
* Globalisation and Crime
* International Corporate Governance
* International Law of Credit and Security
* International Human Rights
* Global Governance through Law

School of Politics and International Studies

* Conflict, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance.
* Democracy and Development
* Gender, Globalisation and Development
* European Defence and Security Analysis
* Contemporary Politics of the Middle East
* The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
* Contemporary International Security
* Insurgency
* Policing in Post Conflict Cities
* Terrorism
* International Relations and the Environment
* Theoretical Approaches in International Relations
* Global Justice

School of Sociology and Social Policy

* Research Strategy and Design
* Quantitative Research Methods
* Qualitative Research Methods
* Advanced Racism and Ethnicity Studies
* Contemporary Social Thought
* Globalisation and International Social Change
* Critical Theory

Also

* Business, Environment and Sustainability
* Research Frontier: Citizenship and Belonging
* Cities and Social Justice

Please note: modules are subject to change and availability.

Programme structureThe course is a pathway of core and optional modules delivered through though weekly lectures and seminars. You will take three core modules constituting 105 credits. You then select from a wide range of 15 and 30 credit modules across both semesters to reach a portfolio of 180 credits.

The taught components of the course are delivered across two semesters with the remainder given over to a full concentration on the dissertation, which is conducted under the direct supervision of an individual member of staff. All our students are supported throughout the programme by the course Director, who acts as their personal supervisor. Given the range of choice, you will be offered the opportunity of an individual consultation meeting with the course Director in order to gain advice on suitable pathways (if you are planning to take this MA as the research methods training or a PhD please see note on +1 pathways to the Doctoral Training College above).

You are also welcome to bring queries to any member of the teaching team. There is a framework of staff student consultation and all staff set aside academic support hours for this purpose. The academic and pastoral support provided is central to the programme.

Teaching

The programmes are based on, at least, fifteen hours teaching time per taught module. Support for the dissertation project is provided via two group sessions, a number of one to one meetings and comment on draft work where this facility is available.

Core modules are offered within a small group-teaching model, which will provide you with the opportunity to develop interests and informed opinions, and to communicate your conclusions to a peer and supervisory group with whom you will be able to interact on a regular basis. Given the range of choice available, a variety of teaching provision is offered through lectures and small group seminars.

Assessment

Assessment is by a variety of methods depending upon module choice but primarily involves coursework essays during each module. The dissertation is assesses through submission of an extended written piece of work. The exact criteria for assessment will reside with the School you choose to undertake their dissertation within.

The entrance requirements for our postgraduate taught schemes are that you must normally possess an upper second class honours degree or non-UK equivalent.If you do not meet the standard academic entry requirements, we will give consideration to relevant and substantial work experience of more than five years. In this case, we will require a full CV, describing the relevant work experience, with your application.We also encourage applicants with professional qualifications or substantial professional experience to apply.The School has a minimum requirement. * TOEFL score on the internet-based test: at least 92 with, at least, 22 in listening, 22 in reading, 23 in speaking and 22 in writing. * A minimum IELTS (academic) score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in listening and reading and at least 6.0 in writing and speaking.The School keeps its requirements under review and may request a higher level of proficiency. The University of Leeds Language Centre can provide more details on your English requirements. Language Centre pre-sessional courseThe Language Centre also provides the Academic English for Postgraduate Studies pre-sessional course that is designed to help international students develop the necessary language and academic study skills required for successful study on a taught postgraduate degree programme. Pre-sessional courses start in September, January, April, July or August.For further information, please visit the Language Centres website or contact the Language Centre via email.We will also accept the following. * English Cambridge Proficiency Certificate: Grade C or above * Advanced Certificate of English: Grade C or above * IGCSE or O level: Grade C or above * All India 'Standard 12': minimum of 70 per centWe also accept other alternative qualifications to IELTS and TOEFL tests. Alternative accepted qualifications to IELTS and TOEFL tests It is not sufficient for you to submit a letter from your university that states that you can use the English language to a good standard. This is not relevant evidence. You must submit one of the documents above or be intending to take one of the tests noted above.Important information about language testsNew British government regulations state that an ... * IELTS * TOEFL iBT * or PET Academic... test score must be less than two years old when the University of Leeds issues a Certificate of Approved Study (CAS) to an international student that has been offered a place on a postgraduate taught programme.An international student requires a CAS in order to obtain a British student visa.What this time limit means for youWhen you apply to one of our postgraduate courses, you must ensure that your English Language Test score will be less than two years old when we make a decision on your application. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 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. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL iBT® test: 92 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.

Politics and Parliamentary Studies

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