Postgraduate Module Descriptor


POLM084: Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

By the end of this module you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the processes by which conflict, security and development have come to occupy, by the 21st century, a single field of international policy-practice directed towards post-colonial and post-conflict states. Furthermore, you will analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of these policies and practices in specific post-Cold war cases. You will exhibit this knowledge in the form of extended essays and a group presentation. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the evolution of the concepts of conflict, security and development, their inter-relationships, the context in which they have developed and the major critical positions adopted towards them;
2. Describe and analyse specific historical and contemporary cases of global governance and international intervention in the name of conflict, security and development;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Identify and discuss the key theoretical debates in International Studies regarding the analysis and evaluation of conflict, security and development as fields of global governance in states subject to international intervention;
4. Exercise informed judgement concerning the practical implications of these debates
5. Demonstrate the ability to locate arguments within an historical context
6. Exhibit an understanding of the relationship between context and theory;
Personal and Key Skills7. Conduct independent research
8. Exercise critical judgment in the form of cogent and persuasive writing
9. Make rigorous and not merely persuasive arguments in the form of a well-designed presentation