Module POLM217 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM217: Conflict, Security and Development in Eurasia
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module aims to prepare students for qualitative case study research according to academic standards of the fields of CSD, IR and Area Studies. There are three main intentions.
The first learning intention of the module concerns the ability to contextualise core concepts of IR and CSD. Students will learn about the importance of context but also that it is non-determining. History and geography will be explored as constructed and dynamic phenomena of the Eurasian region. CSD in the region will be placed in the contexts of political economy and identity politics. Case studies will be explored individually and comparative to assess what explains variation from one to another.
The second concerns research methods. The module emphasises independent research and will be structured around the major assignment – a research essay using qualitative case study methods – with additional assignments of a proposal and oral presentation to summarise a case. The module is structured so students direct their own learning, write their own question and research proposal, and conduct secondary and primary source research.
A final learning intention concerns the ability to communicate effectively in both speech and writing. The module emphasises depth over breadth with students submitting three assignments on closely-related topics but in quite different forms and lengths, one oral and two written (a short plan and its much longer execution in the form or a research essay). The emphasis throughout will be on structured and systematic communication of logic and evidence.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the empirical contexts of the politics of conflict, security and development in Eurasia, and the ability to situate this knowledge critically with respect to key concepts 2. Demonstrate understanding of regions, issues and cases of conflict, security and development in Eurasia in their specific contexts |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Demonstrate understanding of how case study research is undertaken, and demonstrate the ability to utilise this understanding by proposing research on a topic, question and case(s) of your choice 4. Critically analyse primary and secondary source material 5. Conduct case study research according to a research proposal and utilise source material to answer a research question |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing 7. Construct well-structured and rigorous arguments in speech and writing |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft presentation notes | 500 words | 1-2, 4, 6-7 | Oral, in office of lecturer, prior to the seminar |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 0 | 20 |
...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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation | 20 | 10-minute presentation, Q&A, leading a small group | 1-2, 4, 6-7 | Written by email, following seminar |
| Research essay proposal | 10 | 850 words | 1-3, 5-7 | Written feedback via BART system |
| Research essay | 70 | 6,000 words | 1-7 | Written feedback via BART system |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral presentation | Private 10-minute presentation and Q&A with lecturer | 1-2, 4, 6-7 | Term 2 or 3 |
| Research essay proposal | Research essay proposal (850 words) | 1-3, 5-7 | August\September reassessment period |
| Research essay | Research essay (6,000 words) | 1-7 | August\September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Students with ILPs excusing them from oral presentations should discuss this with lecturer. They will be required to present in private. Alternate assessments without oral presentation will not assess ILO 7.
