PMPCODIP - MA Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy

This course focuses on providing students with a firm grasp of the key issues relevant to both the study and practice of peace work, conflict resolution and diplomacy. It does so by offering an integrated programme that analyses debates about the nature of international conflict; examines key instances of intra- and inter- state conflicts; and explores the logic, operation and effectiveness of different approaches to their management and resolution.

Its most distinctive aspect is the close integration of academic and practitioner perspectives. Students will be equipped with both the theoretical and conceptual tools to understand the nature of conflict and practical experience of the key techniques deployed to resolve them. To provide this combination of academic and practical knowledge, the expertise of full-time academic staff will be supplemented by that of experienced conflict resolution practitioners. The exploration and training in conflict resolution techniques will be conducted primarily through workshop-style sessions in the core modules, 'Applied Conflict Transformation' and 'The Practice of Diplomacy'.

The course boasts many pedagogical innovations, such as active learning and practical exercises in the classroom. Since the programme is practically oriented, there will be opportunities for students to learn from and engage with practitioners and to experience the nature of conflict resolution through simulations and role-play exercises.

The more traditional approaches include a mixture of lecture- and seminar- style teaching, within which a combination of whole group, small group, and student-led and tutor-led teaching occurs. This includes face-to-face teaching and discussion, but there is also widespread use of blended learning. Considerable use is made of online learning materials and resources, placed on relevant module Weblearn sites, e.g., lecture notes, module handbooks, readings, video links, recorded lectures, podcasts and blogs. A growing number of materials is also available online through the university library, including access to journals and ebooks. This is all designed to open up the learning space for students to enable them to access the degree 24/7, improving the student learning experience, whilst increasing cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

At the heart of the course is an inclusive curriculum which seeks to relate to, and interact with, the diverse experiences and knowledge-bases of its students. It does this by, for example, adopting a global focus, examining multiples views of the subjects taught, exploring the differential impact of issues on different socio-cultural groups, making material as accessible as possible, offering a wide variety of assessment types, and incorporating student choice and personalization in assessments.

Students are seen very much as partners on this course, working with staff to develop and demonstrate the essential academic skills and knowledge sought by employers and higher education institutions (for further postgraduate study).

By their very nature, Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy modules deal with issues concerning equality, justice and human rights. This strongly fits in with London Metropolitan University’s commitment to social justice and change, using the power of education to transform lives.

An additional, and important part of the teaching and learning strategy, is the academic research which is conducted by staff in the Politics and International Relations subject group. This is used to support teaching through the transferring of staff research skills and knowledge to enhance the student learning experience.

The course aims to provide students with a broad perspective on the theoretical, historical, political and economic aspects of peace, conflict and diplomacy. In particular, the course aims to:

• Ensure that students acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding in the areas of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
• Enable students to understand and use the concepts, approaches and key research methodologies of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
• Develop students’ capacities to think critically about events, ideas and institutions
• Encourage students to relate the academic study of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy to real-world conflicts and international affairs more widely
• Allows students to develop key practical skills in the areas of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy such as negotiation, mediation and diplomatic skills
• Enhance students’ employability skills and opportunities for working in the areas of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
• Provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of academic inquiry and debate
• Provide an inclusive curriculum that offers equal opportunities to all students.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Advance their knowledge and understanding of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy, and to develop new skills to a high level
2. Apply established methods and techniques of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy to their own research
3. 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 Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
4. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
5. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
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. Utilize the practical methods and strategies of Peace, Conflict and Diplomacy
8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
9. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.
10. demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

To accommodate research leave for academic staff and to ensure that modules are viable in terms of student numbers, the Politics and International Relations subject group may withdraw one or more optional modules for a year. Students will be informed in advance so any necessary adjustments can be made.

Students are assessed by a mix of methods, including essays, unseen examinations, presentations, reports, case studies, reflective portfolios and a 15,000-word dissertation. A diversity of assessment is regarded as intrinsically desirable, testing and developing different skills and abilities, including research, analytical, communication, practical, team-work and employability-related skills. Many components – e.g., case studies and the dissertation – give students a large degree of flexibility in designing and researching their own projects, choosing their own topics and utilising methods and approaches of their own devising.

Formative assessment opportunities are also available throughout the programme as all staff are available to provide feedback on written plans and engage with students during seminars and office hours thereby directly supporting students in enhancing the quality of their summative assessments and making them aware of how academic judgements are made.

In the case of the dissertation, students are allocated with a supervisor early during the programme who engages with individual students throughout the research and writing phases. Full-time students who start in September will normally complete the dissertation in one calendar year. Full-time February students will normally complete it in three semesters across two academic years.

Students are provided with timely feedback on their assessments in line with University guidelines. This ensures that they remain well informed of their ongoing progress and forthcoming responsibilities. Students are encouraged to discuss the feedback with their tutors to build on the constructive and developmental content of the comments they have received, enabling feedback to feed-forward into future assessments and to encourage personal skills and knowledge development.

In addition, extra classes are arranged for all students to further their understanding of skills necessary to ensure good academic practice. Library sessions detailing university research and database resources provide relevant and current information on research facilities within the university and elsewhere in London. Dedicated dissertation classes build on this information and also provide students with vital information on conducting research and writing lengthy academic papers.

Further advice on good academic practice and discussions on relevant subject-specific literature are carried out by staff within the classroom. Documents pertaining to good academic practice such as avoiding plagiarism are disseminated to all students and available on WebLearn sites.

Combined, these approaches ensure that assessment and feedback practices are informed by reflection, consideration of professional practice, and subject-specific and educational scholarship.

All students are required to submit assignments via relevant WebLearn sites through Turnitin. These are marked and made available to second markers and external examiners in all cases and all students are informed of these procedures through module discussions as well as during induction undertaken by the Course Leader.

Part-time students take two modules per semester during the first year of study and one per semester and the dissertation in the second year.

• For a Masters award, students need to pass 180 credits. This will comprise 120 credits gained from the six taught modules (i.e., the three core 20 credit modules plus three optional modules chosen by the student) and 60 credits from passing the dissertation.

• For a PG Diploma, students must pass 120 credits. This will include the three 20 credit core modules plus three other 20 credit options.

• For a PG Certificate, students must pass 60 credits. This will include at least two core 20 credit modules.

The course is designed to enable students to adopt a critical approach to knowledge and understanding whereby ideas are examined in a reflective manner, which also seeks to promote linkages between the various modules; for example, in relating theory to practice. Reflective learning will be encouraged both in class-based activities and assessment. For example, presentations and simulations will involve in-class feedback and reflection, while feedback on written assessments and follow-up feedback from module leaders will facilitate reflective learning both in and outside the classroom. Students will be encouraged to engage positively with all feedback opportunities, and to reflect and learn from these, resulting in the development of further learning strategies. With the strong practical orientation of the course, students will also be encouraged to reflect upon and develop their personal skills in wider social, cultural and employability senses.

This is a valuable course for those planning careers, or wishing to enhance existing ones, in the government sector, international organizations (like the EU and the UN) or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the spheres of peace, conflict and diplomacy. Career paths include working as conflict resolution experts (in areas like mediation and human rights promotion), aid workers, diplomats, civil servants, journalists, and social researchers. Further postgraduate study and research is another pathway opened up by this course.

We ensure you’re prepared for a range of roles in conflict resolution. Successful graduates could go on to become mediation or conflict resolution practitioners, aid workers or conflict reporters, or work in foreign offices, embassies, the diplomatic services or for international bodies such as the UN.

You’ll also be prepared for further academic study and research in peace and conflict resolution, or other related fields such as politics and international relations.

You will be required to have:

• a minimum of a lower second class (2.2) honours degree in a relevant discipline such as politics, international relations, international development, or social and behavioural sciences

Applications are also welcome from those who have experience in conflict resolution or who possess relevant professional qualifications.

If you have an undergraduate degree in a non-related subject, you may also be considered with a supporting statement on a case-by-case basis.