Programme summary for MA Conflict, Displacement and Human Security

About the programme

The proposed programme offers an advanced and comprehensive understanding of the relationship between conflict, displacement and human insecurity. Distinctive features of the programme are its focus on conflict and displacement, its people-centred approach, and its emphasis on human security that combines both human rights and human development. The proposed programme approaches development as an important security strategy and considers displacement a measure of human security.

The Programme adopts an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of the conflict, generalised violence and social inequality in contemporary global contexts; it examines the complex intersections of global, regional and local structures and their linkages to the changing character of conflict; it encourages independent critical approaches to contemporary theories of conflicts, human rights and human security; it examines global and local dimensions of conflict, displacement and development; it adopts people-centred approaches to security; it views displacement as a lived experience; it considers links between theoretical and applied/policy issues in conflict, displacement and development.

The programme is especially relevant to employment in the fields of conflict management and resolution, humanitarian assistance and displacement, human rights and development initiatives. It has general relevance to non-governmental as well as government sector employment both in developing and developed countries.

Programme structure

The programme consists of two core taught modules, choice of two options and a dissertation.

Career opportunities

The Programme prepares students for employment in the fields of development, humanitarian assistance, displacement and human rights, and specifically in conflict management and assistance, project development and implementation, human rights advocacy and practice. The programme also develops skills appropriate for further academic research in conflict, displacement, development and human rights fields, as well as in associated areas of social and political theory.

Support

As the proposed Programme is fundamentally research-oriented, it engages students as producers of knowledge and active members of the research community. We support students to work and learn independently, creatively, and systematically in order to acquire knowledge and develop analytical thinking. We support students to develop a demonstrable respect for evidence, research and scholarship as it relates to the specific case studies, regions or development and other interventions.

Admission

Applicants should normally hold a first class or upper second class honours degree. This degree should be in a relevant field of study. Applicants holding an honours degree in a field of study which is not of obvious relevance may also be considered. Applicants who are not graduates but who have relevant research or professional experience may also be considered. Applicants are requested to supply two academic or other appropriate references – these should be submitted at the point of application.