Module POLM085 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM085: Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
By the end of this module you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the strategies and tactics of conflict, security and development work on a global scale, from local projects to global frameworks. Furthermore, you will analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of individual projects and programmes, whole organisations, overarching legal and policy frameworks and international interventions in the areas of conflict, security and development. You will demonstrate knowledge of academic and practical research methodologies including: i) formal measurements of conflict, security and development on a cross-national basis; ii) professional monitoring & evaluation techniques; iii) conflict assessment and analysis methodologies; iv) ethnographies of organizations; and v) process tracing of broader trends and practices. You will demonstrate this knowledge in the form of a project design essay and a project report document which they will develop with respect to their work placement organisation or chosen topic of research.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate substantive knowledge and understanding of the institutional and political context of at least two types of organizations working in conflict, security and development in the UK or overseas; 2. Describe, analyse and deploy two or more research methodologies in the area of conflict, security and development; |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Exercise informed judgement concerning the practical constraints of organizations working in Conflict Security and Development 4. Demonstrate the ability to understand the effect of the organizations institutional and political contexts on its policies and programmes 5. Exhibit an understanding of the relationship between knowledge and practice 6. Analyse and evaluate the nature and effectiveness of organizations in terms of theoretical frameworks deployed in the study of conflict, security and/or development and the analysis of global governance; |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. 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; 10. Develop a personal profile and curriculum vitae for work in conflict, security and development; and 11. Perform in a work environment in a manner in keeping with the expectations of the host organisation |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1. Introduction to module and placements
2-4. Actors in Conflict Security and Development including: a) International organizations – third-parties or neoimperialists? b) Non-governmental organisations –change-makers or donors’ puppets? c) National governments – partners or spoilers or agents? d) Business – resource-extractors or drivers of reform?
5-7. Methodologies in the study of Conflict Security and Development including: 1) indexes and rankings of conflict, security and development; 2) formal Monitoring & Evaluation of programmes; 3) political risk analysis/conflict analysis; 4) ethnography of aid; 5) process tracing
8-11. Working in conflict, security and development – practitioner talks
12-14. Reporting and plenary discussions
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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28 | 197 | 75 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 12 | 6 x 2 hour seminars led by module convenor and including small group work, presentations, discussion, reflection |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 8 | Practitioner Seminars: 4 X 2-hour seminars led by visiting speakers |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 8 | Work placement preparation and reporting seminars: 4 X 2-hour seminars led by module convenor and/or by students |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Independent and assisted preparation for placement: Contact with organisation, arrangements for travel, accommodation and visa (where necessary), arrangements of work activities, meetings with appointed academic advisor, email and telephone communication with work supervisor |
Placement/Study Abroad | 75 | Work placement: Two weeks work or the equivalent across a term |
Guided Independent Study | 167 | Reading, reflection, essay writing, presentation preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Library resources:
Conflict, Security and Development [Electronic journal]
Fisher et al, Working with Conflict
Hoglund & Oberg, Understanding Peace Research
Stephen Hopgood, Keepers of the Flame
Ho-Won Jeong, Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis
Nordstrom and Robben, Fieldwork Under Fire
Samantha Power, Chasing the Flame
Edward Schatz, Political Ethnography
Wall and Mollinga, Fieldwork in Different Environments