Module POLM085 for 2021/2
- 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 2021/2 academic year.
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/
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 work placement application | One-page covering letter, completed application form and two-page CV | 1, 3, 10 | Oral feedback in office hours |
| One work placement review | Two-page self-assessment form | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Oral feedback in office hours |
| Project design essay | 1000 words | 1-5, 7, 8 | Oral feedback 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project report document | 50 | 4,000 words | 1-7, 11 | Written/oral |
| Project report presentation (individual) | 15 | 10 minutes + 300-word handout | 1-7, 9-11 | Written/oral |
| Critique Paper | 35 | 1,500 words | 3-6, 8 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project report document | Project report document (4,000 words) | 1-7, 11 | August/September re-assessment |
| Project report presentation | Project report presentation (10 minutes + 300-word handout) | 1-7, 9-11 | By arrangement with convenor |
| Critique Paper | Critique Paper (1,500 words) | 3-6, 8 | August/September re-assessment |
Re-assessment notes
Rearranged presentations will take place in lecturer’s office at a mutually agreeable time in term 3.
