Programme Specification for Terrorism Studies MSc
|
Final award |
MSc |
|
Intermediate awards available |
Post graduate Diploma in Terrorism Studies; Post graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
N/A |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
18 May 2006 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
We have entered an era where terrorism and the fight against terrorism have become critical issues for society. The MSc Terrorism Studies provides graduates with a rigorous, evidence-based qualification in this important area. This is a distinctive Master’s program that draws on the school’s strengths in the area of terrorism, international law, criminology and human rights. The MSc offers a new agenda for theoretical research and policy intervention. The MSc Terrorism Studies offers candidates an opportunity to engage with critical developments in modern terrorism at several levels. The program will offer a firm grounding in understanding and analysing terrorism, counter-terrorism and transnational criminology. Candidates will also have an opportunity to study specialised subjects such as international policing, international law and the international criminal justice system.
MSc Terrorism Studies at UEL
- First taught MSc specialising on Terrorism Studies in England
- Teaching staff include leading international experts at the cutting edge of research and policy advice.
- Teaching informed by the latest research findings including work which has yet to be published.
- All classes are taught in the evenings to allow those in work to engage with study
Admission requirements
Candidates should possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. criminology, law, politics, psychology, sociology, etc.). Consideration will also be given for candidates who have relevant work experience (e.g. police work). Candidates with professional experience alone, will initially only be able to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies. If students succeed at the Certificate (i.e. pass the first two modules) then they will be eligible to continue as a Masters level student.
Programme structure
Students undertake four modules and a dissertation. The full time students normally complete the 180 credits requirements in one academic year while part time students complete the same in two years. Students take three core modules: Critical Perspectives on Terrorism; Critical Perspectives on Counterterrorism; and, Transnational Organised Crime. Candidates choose one module from the following: War and Human Rights; Contemporary Islamic Legal Issues; International Policing Cooperation and Structures; International Law and the Use of Force; Feminist Legal Studies; Current Issues and Research in International Law; and, International Criminal Law. The Dissertation must be deemed by the Dissertation committee to be on a subject directly relevant to terrorism or counter-terrorism.
Learning environment
Module Lectures/Seminar/s, workshops and terrorism seminars with external experts, day school, optional placements, external visits by experts and proposed overseas study.
Assessment
Most are assessed either through coursework or examination. Students take four modules of 30 credits each. The dissertation accounts for 60 credits involving a 15,000 word essay.
Relevance to work/profession
Students are welcome to negotiate projects/assignments as work-based initiatives but the supervision offered is the same as for other coursework.
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
Dissertation seminars provide the opportunity for students to develop their own ideas on research specific topics. While classroom presentations can involve joint study and research, the nature of postgraduate research (and concerns over plagiarism) does not provide scope for formal collaborative research projects.
Your future career
We have entered an era where terrorism and the fight against terrorism have become critical issues for modern society. The MSc Terrorism Studies provides graduates with a rigorous, evidence-based qualification in this important area. This qualification will assist graduates to start careers in a wide variety of fields, including those related to security, policing, policy, and international work. Beyond this, the MSc will help assist the careers of graduates who are already working in these fields.
How we support you
Every student is allocated a personal tutor who provides support and advice, research methods training is available, special sessions on access to relevant learning materials are organised. Lecturers teaching on the MSc Terrorism Studies are available for module specific discussions as well as discussions on general terrorism-related issues.
Bonus factors
The MSc Terrorism Studies programme will include career advice, Day Schools and special seminar series led by experts in the field.
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- gain a thorough understanding of theory and nature of terrorism and counter-terrorism
- engage in informed debate and critical appraisal of the major issues relating to terrorism and counter-terrorism
- learn about the latest developments and advances in the field of terrorism studies
- enhance your career prospects be achieving a postgraduate degree in a critical subject
What will you learn?
General Skills
- Develop an extended and deepened understanding of terrorism and counter-terrorism in a variety of contexts
- Apply critical and contextual approaches across a wide variety of terrorism-related issues
- Deal with different approaches and counter-terrorism policies and law
- Explore the conceptual dilemmas and implementation problems related to terrorism and counter-terrorism
Knowledge
- Familiarity with the terrorism studies discourse
- Working of counter-terrorism systems and procedures
- Specific case studies and conflicts
- Develop expertise by linking previous or current experience with academic enquiry, particularly via the dissertation.
Thinking skills
- Read critical research material and understand the socio-political issues
- Ability to deal with these issues from a comparative, international and multicultural perspective
- Ability to choose from and employ competing analytical frameworks within the field/discourses of terrorism studies
- Identify problems of response, control and prevention
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Evaluate terrorism in different countries and periods
- Evaluate the counterterrorism response in a variety of different conflicts
- Contextualise the issues of law, politics and morality to given terrorism issues.
- Develop counter-terrorism strategies for specific situation
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Critical analysis of terrorism issues and discourse
- Ability to use terrorism studies methodologies in a range of disciplines
- Develop the skills of analysis and essay/report writing in general terrorism studies areas.
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 for Masters, 60 for PGCert, 120 for PGDip.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time and two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time study to part-time study (and vice versa) to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year begins in September and ends in June. A typical student registered in a full-time attendance mode will study for two evenings per week and will complete 120 credits over the year. A typical student registered in a part-time attendance mode will study for one evening per week and will complete 60 credits.
What you will study when
MSc Terrorism Studies is awarded to students who have accumulated 180 credits (with four modules and a dissertation). Full time students do so in one academic year while part time studies spread it over two years.
Full Time Students
| - |
SEMESTER A |
SEMESTER B |
SUMMER |
|
YEAR ONE |
CORE MODULE Critical Perspectives on Terrorism 30 Credits |
CORE MODULE Critical Perspectives on Counter-Terrorism 30 Credits |
DISSERTATION 60 credits |
|
- |
CORE MODULE Transnational Organised Crime 30 Credits |
OPTION One 30 Credits |
- |
Part Time Students
| - |
SEMESTER A |
SEMESTER B |
SUMMER |
|
YEAR ONE |
CORE MODULE Critical Perspectives on Terrorism 30 Credits |
CORE MODULE Critical Perspectives on Counter-Terrorism 30 Credits |
PT students begin |
|
YEAR TWO |
CORE MODULE Transnational Organised Crime 30 Credits |
OPTION ONE 30 Credits |
DISSERTATION |
Note: PG diploma in Terrorism Studies is awarded to students who have completed 120 credits, having completed the modules but not the dissertation.
|
Year |
Module title |
Credit |
status |
|
1 |
Critical Perspectives on Terrorism |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
Critical Perspectives on Counter-terrorism |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
Transnational Organised Crime |
30 |
Core |
|
1 |
International Criminal Law |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
War and Human Rights |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
Contemporary Islamic Legal Issues |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
International Policing Cooperation and Structures |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
International Law and the Use of Force |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
Feminist Legal Studies |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
Current Issues and Research in International Law |
30 |
Option |
|
1 |
Dissertation |
60 |
Core |
|
|
|
|
|
Requirements for gaining an award
In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
The individual modules are delivered through lectures and seminar series involving both staff and student presentations.
- Students prepare for classroom participation through reading and analysis of distributed material, readings from the indicative reading and their own research. This process develops the knowledge base of students, their thinking and analytical skills, the practical application of theories and doctrine and significantly contributes to the development of general skills in preparation for life and work.
Apart from class contributions, Students are expected to develop their ideas through research and preparation for the assessment of each module. Modules are assessed either through a research based essay whose title is negotiated, or through an examination.
- Negotiated essay titles and supervision involves one to one interaction with the tutor where the student's choice of research subject and proposed essay structure are discussed. This process develops the knowledge base of students as there is discussion of content, their critical thinking and analytical skills as students are expected to contribute original ideas, the practical application of theories and doctrines and in acquiring research methods and essay writing.
The MSc, in general, offers several avenues for development of knowledge, critical thinking, practical application and general skills for life and work. These include Day schools and guest seminar series.
In addition to the four modules, Students also undertake a dissertation, the MSc thesis, which further develops the skills listed above and elaborated in the assessment criteria, below.
Assessment
As the MSc programme is designed as a researched based degree, the formal assessment method for most of the modules is the evaluation of an essay, approximately 6,000 words, submitted at the end of the semester. However, the titles and structure are negotiated by the student with the tutor which contributes to the research exercise. For one module, assessment is through an unseen examination.
- The research essays develop knowledge in the chosen area while at the same time demonstrating the links with other doctrines and related subjects and the overall context.
- As the essays are expected to be based on original research by students, the assessment criteria emphasises analysis and critical appreciation (as opposed to mere narratives).
- The content of the modules and the choice of the essay titles are geared to the development of practical skills based either on practical application or appreciation of theories/doctrines or evaluation of contemporary trends and developments.
- The essay writing process is a vital skill that is central to general ability to think, articulate and build ideas and projects- essential for life and work.
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before this programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- Approving exam papers/assignments;
- Attending assessment boards;
- Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
- Ensuring that regulations are followed;
- Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting 2 times year)
- Student membership on the Law School Board
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- providing details on the programme noticeboard
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- UEL teaching Staff on the MSc, associated with other universities teaching terrorism studies or organisations working on terrorism issues, have held informal discussions with experts. Terrorism Studies seminars, one-day conferences and day schools have been used as feedback.
Further Information
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
- The student handbook
- Module study guides UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- Regulations for theAcademic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- School web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/law
Alternative locations for studying this programme
All modules are taught at the Stratford campus of University of East London.
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
