Module POLM084 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM084: Conflict, Security and Development in World Politics
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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 postcolonial and postconflict states. Furthermore, you will analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of these policies and practices in specific post-Cold war cases. Students will exhibit this knowledge in the form of extended essays and group presentations.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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. Analyse specific historical and contemporary cases of global governance and international intervention in the name of conflict, security and development; |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Identify and discuss the key theoretical debates in International Relations 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 Skills | 7. Conduct independent research 8. Exercise critical judgment in the form of cogent and persuasive writing 9. Make rigorous and persuasive arguments in the form of a well-designed presentation |
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 of the following topics:
1. Conflict and security in world politics
2. Development and its critics
3. Building states to build peace. The merger of security and development
5. Conflict resolution and conflict analysis
6. Pursuits of Justice
7-10. Case Studies
11. Conclusions and implications
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 |
---|---|---|
34 | 266 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour per week Seminars: Small group work, presentations, discussion |
Guided independent study | 266 | Reading, reflection, essay writing, presentation preparation |
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 12 | Visiting speakers (the number of speakers and duration of talks/seminars to be confirmed annually) |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
One essay plan | 500 words | 1, 2, 7 | Oral in office hours |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
85 | 0 | 15 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | 35 | 3000 words | 1, 3-8 | Written/oral |
Essay 2 | 50 | 4000 words | 2-8 | Written/oral |
Presentation | 15 | 20 Minutes + 500-word handout | 2, 4, 9 | Written/oral |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | 3000 word essay | 1, 3-8 | August/September re-assessment period. |
Essay 2 | 4000 word essay | 2-8 | August/September re-assessment period. |
Group presentation | 15 Minute presentation + 500-word handout | 2, 4, 9 | Beginning of Term 2 |
Re-assessment notes
Rearranged presentations will take place in lecturer’s office at a mutually agreeable time