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.

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 Skills1. 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 Skills3. 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 Skills6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing
7. Construct well-structured and rigorous arguments in speech and writing