Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM085: Work Placement in Conflict, Security and Development

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 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 you will develop with respect to your work placement organisation or chosen topic of research.

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 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
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/