MA Applied Conflict Resolution
| UCAS codes: | |
| Start Date | January |
| End Date | December (Diploma)/January (MA) |
| Overview | The MA in Applied Conflict Resolution provides you with advanced knowledge of the concept and critiques of conflict analysis and resolution generated from both within and outside the field. The programme has a particular focus on:
The course has special relevance both for those wishing to study Conflict Resolution as an academic field and for those engaged in diplomacy or working in conflict resolution through aid agencies and NGOs. It is designed to be accessible to those who combine experience with vocational and/or professional qualifications. When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
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| Entrance Requirements |
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| Course Duration | 1 year full-time |
| Places Available | 20 |
| Tuition Fees | Home / EU: www.brad.ac.uk/hub/TuitionFeesInformation/PostgraduateHomeEU/ |
Course Details
Syllabus
As a student of Applied Conflict Resolution you will be required to take the modules Applied Conflict Resolution Skills and Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice 2 in order to provide you with a solid grounding in key themes and issues relevant to the study of conflisct resolution.
You then have the opportunity to define your own engagement with the discipline by choosing from the full range of modules offered by the Department. It is therefore up to you to decide what specific dimensions of peace you wish to focus on, with possible options ranging from modules on: the environment, human rights, Islam, Christianity and politics, African politics, nationalism, international political economy, international politics and security studies, conflict resolution, East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
To complete the MA degree, you will undertake a dissertation project in a topic of your choice, which must relate to the subject of Conflict Resolution.
Structure
The MA course extends over a period of two semesters (full time) or four semesters (part time). You must study units amounting to 180 Credits, which includes a dissertation worth 60 credits. The remaining 120 credits must include at least 100 credits at level M.
The Postgraduate Diploma course extends over a period of two semesters (full time) or four semesters (part time). You must study units amounting to 120 Credits at Level M or/and Level 3, including at least 100 Credits at level M.
You may take the MA or Postgraduate Diploma on a part-time basis over two years. If you are a part time student you must take 60 Credits in your first year, and a further 60 taught credits in your second year.
Aim
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a detailed and critical knowledge of current research and scholarship in a specialist area of the field of Conflict Resolution
- Identify appropriate research designs and methods for specific purposes and applications
- Identify gaps and inconsistencies in the evidence base guiding policy and practice
- Apply critical reasoning to the existing evidence base and scholarship
Learning Outcome
The programme is intended to equip you with the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically analyse current and emerging research and practice.
- Critically appraise the nature of evidence guiding policy and programme management.
- Formulate and independently investigate a complex research question and communicate your findings at an advanced level.
Teaching Strategy
A variety of teaching strategies are employed, including lectures, tutorials, seminars and group work. In the case of the latter, where group work is formally assessed you either receive an individual rather than a group mark for your work to ensure that your own work on the group project is recognised and/or you are required to provide a diary of group meetings which inform the overall assessment of a group project. It should also be noted that formally assessed group work always constitutes a relatively small percentage of the final mark for any course in which it is used.
Assessment Strategy
The form of assessment for course units varies according to the specific pedagogical requirements of the unit. However, a range of assessment methodologies are employed across the course units including: essays, exams (both closed and open papers) reflexive journals and formally assessed group presentations. All pieces of assessment are numerically marked. A dissertation of 14-15,000 words must be submitted by a date to be determined by the Department each year and clearly specified in the MA handbook.
How to Apply
To meet the Department's criteria for admission to one of the MA programmes you should have
- A first degree, usually Upper Second Class (2:1) Honours level or better (or its equivalent). However, we also take into account relevant experiential learning to an equivalent level.
- A demonstrable competence of the standard of written and spoken English required for postgraduate study. The Department currently asks for a minimum standard of GCSE English Grade C, 6.0 IELTS or the equivalent
- Two good references, preferably including from at least one individual who is able to comment on your academic work
- A Personal Statement as to why you would like to do the programme
Apply From
The Department accepts applications for entry onto the MA programme throughout the year.
Apply Until
The Department does not have a formal closing date for application. However, for overseas students we RECOMMEND that you apply prior to 1 November as the visa application process can be quite lengthy
Apply to
Postgraduate Admissions, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP
peace-ma-admissions@bradford.ac.ukSupport and Study
The following resource will be provided for students
The Department of Peace Studies has two research libraries, the Adam Curle library dedicated to conflict resolution and peacekeeping and the Albert Greenwood library on international security issues. In addition, the University of Bradford is also host to the unique Commonweal Collection, run by an independent trust, which houses almost 10,000 volumes on various aspects of non-violent social change, including one of the largest collections of Gandhian material in the UK.
To support lectures and semianrs, handouts and audio-visual aids may be employed where appropriate. A virtual learning environment called "Blackboard" will also be used to support 'tandem' learning (posting of lecture notes, presentations, audio recordings of core lectures, readings and other relevant materials; email discussion groups, notice boards and announcements) and as a portal to the wealth of information and organisations which focus on peace and conflict issues. There is also a schedule of Departmental seminars and guest speakers.
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.
Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.
Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.
Students are expected to provide the following
Not applicableContact Pattern
On arrival at the Department students are provided with a number of induction events such as a library tour and a general introduction to the Department.
You will also be allocated a personal tutor who will meet with you on a regular basis for the first 5 weeks. The role of the personal tutor is to provide both pastoral and academic support. However, the principal role of the personal tutor in this period is to provide advice on the preparation of your first assessment. S/He will be available throughout your course as a point of contact.
The course on Applied Conflict Resolution is unusual as it begins in January. The course has been designed to accommodate students who want more flexibility over the date they begin their studies. However, this does mean that the learning experience is a more intensive one at the start of the course with the delivery of all taught modules compressed into what is described as semester two in the University calendar. Instead of taking six 20 credit taught modules over two semesters you will take six 20 credit taught modules (including two core modules) over one semester.
Each module typically includes 2 hours per week of formally timetabled lecture/seminars or other group work. Some courses such as the Sri Lanka Study Visit or the Africa Study Visit also involve trips abroad and periods of quite intensive study during these trips. Coursework for your taught modules will be staggered with assessments due at regular intervals through to September.
You will be allocated a supervisor for the Dissertation Project and you will meet with your supervisor on a regular basis. The role of your supervisor is to provide you with guidance on issues such as reading, methodology, structure etc as well as to provide feedback on any draft chapters you may produce.
The Department also provides a range of opportunities for students to undertake non-assessed, extra-curricular activities that can add to the quality of your learning experience.
Study Hours
Each 20 credit module has 200 study hours, of which there will usually be at least one lecture hour and one seminar hour a week for 11 weeks with the remainder consisting of directed study time.
Special Features
- The Department has a strong international reputation and is at the forefront of research and debate in both academic and policy arenas. Many of the staff have a global profile, and undertake regular media interviews, as well as advising governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations around the world on their area of expertise
- The Department is one of just 6 Departments around the world, and the only one in the UK, that has been selected as a Rotary International Peace and Conflict Resolution Centre.
- Research, publication and areas studies are organised around specialist centres including: the Africa Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, the Centre for Conflict Resolution, the Centre for International Co-operation and Security, the International Centre for Participation Studies, and the Bradford Disarmament Research Centre.
Ecoversity
The Ecoversity Programme aims to embed the principles and practice of sustainable development across the entire institution by getting people in involved, taking the lead on issues, and encouraging and making it easier for people to adopt sustainable behaviours and lifestyles.
Contact Details
For more information about this course, please contact our Postgraduate Administrator:
By post: Postgraduate Admissions, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
By email: peace-ma-admissions@bradford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)1274 234171
Brochure
You can:
- Peace Studies MA Brochure 09/10 online or
- Request a prospectus to be mailed to you by filling out our Prospectus order form