Course specification and structure
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PMHURIIC - MA Human Rights and International Conflict

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Master of Arts Level Masters
Possible interim awards Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Total credits for course 180
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Subject Area Criminology, Sociology, Politics and International Relations
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 1 YEARS 6 YEARS
Part-time Day and Evening 2 YEARS 6 YEARS
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The MA in Human Rights and International Conflict provides a rigorous academic training in understanding the moral and political theory and practice of human rights. Human rights emerged from both a tradition of ethical reasoning and the twentieth-century’s practice of international conflict. At the end of that century, they flourished in a brief period of relative international order and stability. Now that the period is over, they face a variety of challenges arising from a range of international conflicts. The course contextualizes those challenges historically and theoretically, analyzes particular conflicts and their actual and potential resolutions, and provides students with opportunities for exploring the continuing potential of human rights to improve the human condition.


The core of the MA in Human Rights and International Conflict comprises four class-taught 20-credit modules: GI7002 History and Theory of Human Rights, GI7064 International Conflict Resolution, GI7010 Human Rights and the International Order, and GI7028 Theory and Research Methods in International Relations. Each of the first two of these core modules, both of which run in the Autumn semester, survey one of the MA’s two constituent subjects, which are then fully combined by the third, Human Rights and the International Order, which runs in the Spring semester. The fourth core module prepares students for the 60-credit Dissertation. Beyond this solid, quintuple core, the course includes several specified "option" modules, of which students may choose two. All of these modules are based in the School of Social Sciences. Additionally, students may opt to take an "elective" module from anywhere in the University.

All modules use Weblearn for purposes of lecture provision, the provision of learning materials, assessment, and feedback. This is blended with a learning-centred, interactive and discussion-based approach to face-to-face interaction in class, enabling students to engage critically with the course content and with one another’s reasoning, whilst allowing all to draw on their own cultural and other experiences and to learn from that which each brings to our shared practices of intellectual enquiry and ethical advocacy.

Course aims

The aim of the MA in Human Rights and International Conflict is to analyze the relation of human rights to states and international organizations, and to thereby equip students with a full understanding of human rights, of their relation to international conflict, and of ethical, political and philosophical issues raised. This includes an understanding of how the idea and practice of human rights can legitimate and inform states and international institutions, how conflict between international actors causes difficulties and dilemmas for human rights norms, how such problems can best be remedied, and how such remedies involve those norms. In this way, the course aims to operationalize and apply moral and political theory to international practice and particular issues.

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced scholarship in human rights and international conflict.
2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in human rights and international conflict.
3. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in human rights and international conflict.
4. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
5. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
7. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level
8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
9. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

GI7002
GI7064
GI7028
GI7010
GI7P00
GI7069
SS7152
GI7012
GI7040
GI7047
GI7073
GI7076
SS7147

Learning Outcomes cover LO1-9

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Politics and International Relations.

Assessment strategy

The course includes formative assessments, such as seminar presentations, that provide feedback and facilitate critical reflection, in preparation for substantive, summative assessments. The skills honed through such scrutiny and reflection are then fully deployed in the final Dissertation.

Course specific regulations

Autumn start Full-time/Part-time day & evening.

Length of full-time course: one year.

Spring start Full-time/Part-time day & evening.

Length of full-time course: sixteen months.

Modules required for interim awards

MA: all core modules, including Dissertation, plus two optional modules.
PG Diploma: all class-taught core modules plus two optional modules.
PG Certificate: three modules, not including elective, of which at least two must be core.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

The teaching and learning strategy is to develop each student as an actively independent learner able to critically apply theory in and through a shared practice of intellectual enquiry, whilst engaging in more personal development planning.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ideally.

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

Students develop transferable skills of research, analysis and written and verbal reasoning in engagement with human rights materials, qualifying them for a wide range of careers especially in the international promotion of human rights.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course have opportunities for employment in the private, public and third sectors. Graduates have gone on to work in private, public and third sectors. Some graduates also go on to study a PhD.

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • at least a 2:1 at undergraduate level in a humanities or social science subject (candidates with other qualifications or relevant vocational experience may be considered)

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2015/16 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 13 Jan 2016 Last validation date 13 Jan 2016  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes L250 (International Relations): 100%
Route code HURIIC

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
GI7002 History and Theory of Human Rights Core 20 NORTH AUT TUE EV
GI7010 Human Rights and the International Order Core 20 NORTH SPR MON EV
GI7064 International Conflict Resolution Core 20 NORTH AUT MON PM
GI7P00 Human Rights and International Conflict Dissert... Core 60        
GI7012 International Law and International Order Option 20 NORTH SPR WED EV
GI7028 Theory and Research Methods in International Re... Option 20        
GI7040 Citizenship and Social Justice Option 20 NORTH SPR THU EV
GI7047 American Foreign Policy in the 21st Century Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE PM
GI7069 Security Studies Option 20 NORTH AUT MON AM
GI7073 Human Security Option 20 NORTH SPR WED PM
GI7076 Religion and International Relations Option 20 NORTH AUT TUE PM
SS7147 Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and Po... Option 20 NORTH AUT WK AM&PM
SS7152 Social Policy Themes and Priorities: Local, Reg... Option 20        
EL0000 Elective Option 20 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH AUT NA  
          NORTH SUM NA  

Stage 1 Level 07 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
GI7002 History and Theory of Human Rights Core 20        
GI7010 Human Rights and the International Order Core 20 NORTH SPR MON EV
GI7064 International Conflict Resolution Core 20        
GI7P00 Human Rights and International Conflict Dissert... Core 60        
GI7012 International Law and International Order Option 20 NORTH SPR WED EV
GI7028 Theory and Research Methods in International Re... Option 20        
GI7040 Citizenship and Social Justice Option 20 NORTH SPR THU EV
GI7047 American Foreign Policy in the 21st Century Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE PM
GI7069 Security Studies Option 20        
GI7073 Human Security Option 20 NORTH SPR WED PM
GI7076 Religion and International Relations Option 20        
SS7147 Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and Po... Option 20        
SS7152 Social Policy Themes and Priorities: Local, Reg... Option 20        
EL0000 Elective Option 20 NORTH SPR NA  
          NORTH SUM NA