UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Social and International Studies
Division of Peace Studies
MA Conflict, Security and Development
Awarding and teaching
institution:
University of Bradford
Final award:
Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma,
MA
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
level 7]
Programme title:
Conflict, Security and Development
Duration:
MA: 1 year full time, 2-5 years part-time
Date produced:
July 2008
Last updated :
June 2012
Introduction
The MA in Conflict, Security and Development has been established in recognition of
the way that the relationship between security and development have increasingly
guided policy action and academic analysis on a range of issues in the post-Cold
War era. There is of course a much longer lineage of academic and policy concern
with such issues, a lineage explored in the course. Nevertheless, the merger of
security and development and its manifestation in debates about the ‘securitydevelopment nexus’ is generally considered to be one of the defining features of the
Post-Cold War security debate.
For supporters, this conceptual merger has been central to the success of recent
campaigns to raise aid, eliminate debt, address global ills such as landmines and
promote human security inside weak and post-conflict states. For critics, on the other
hand, this linking of development and security has unduly securitised the
representation of a range of developing world actors and has legitimised a variety of
quasi-imperial Western interventions ranging from the invasions of Iraq and
Afghanistan to external imposition of extensive programmes of economic, political
and social reform inside formerly sovereign states.
This course draws on the work of Peace Studies staff who have made important
contributions to the academic and policy debates on the securitisation of
development, the relationship between intervention, peacebuilding and the liberal
peace and explored alternative models of both security and development. The
course is particularly distinctive because it reflects both the critical approach to
analysis of the security-development nexus adopted by key members of staff
involved in delivering this programme whilst also drawing on the extensive
experience of staff in providing policy advice to a range of governments and other
agencies.
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The MA course programme examines these issues and debates primarily from the
perspectives of peace, conflict and security studies. It is thus distinct from, and
complementary to, the MA programme in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies,
which is a joint programme of both Development Studies and Peace Studies within
the School of Social and International Studies. The latter programme involves
detailed examining of key theories, issues and debates in development studies as
well as peace studies, and focuses in detail on their inter-relationships.
The MA in Conflict, Security and Development is located within the Division of Peace
Studies, an internationally recognised centre for excellence in teaching and research
on peace and conflict issues. Our staff are accomplished scholars; and many also
deploy their research skills in a range of practical issues in many parts of the world.
Our international reputation received formal confirmation in 2002, when Peace
Studies was chosen from more than 100 universities worldwide to be one of six
Rotary International Peace Centres.
The MA programme attracts many students who already possess significant
experience, often in some of the most challenging conflict-affected societies in the
work. The course is structured to enable experienced practitioners to reflect on and
systematise their existing knowledge through engagement with theory and research,
and provides an opportunity for students to share and learn from each other.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
A1.
Provide advanced knowledge and understanding of the theoretical
perspectives pertinent to the study of the inter-relationship between the
security and development challenges facing actors in fragile and
conflict affected states;
A2.
Provide advanced knowledge and understanding of the key policy
debates pertinent to the field of security practice (understood in its
broadest sense), particularly as it applies to actors in fragile and
conflict-affected states;
A3.
Provide a curriculum supported by active scholarship, staff
development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth
of intellectual enquiry and debates;
A4.
Develop a range of key skills and personal attributes including retrieval,
organisation, application and presentation of primary and secondary
data and other information sources in line with ethical requirements;
independent and collaborative capacity to identify and analyse
problems; time and workload management.
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
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Postgraduate Diploma
LO1.
Comprehend and differentiate alternative theories, concepts,
interpretations and discourses relevant to the study of conflict, security
and development issues and particularly those that are relevant to
fragile and conflict-affected states;
LO2.
Relate the study of conflict and conflict resolution to wider debates in
the field of peace studies;
LO3.
Critically evaluate alternative theories, concepts, interpretations and
discourses in the field of peace and conflict studies and engage in an
advanced evaluation of their explanatory and/or transformatory
potential when applied to issues of gender and conflict;
LO4.
Critically assess the nature, significance of, and relationship between
varied security and development issues facing fragile and conflictaffected states, including resource management, and provide advanced
analysis of international policy debates, challenges and responses in
the field of conflict, security and development;
LO5.
Communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing, use
communication and information technology for the retrieval of and
presentation of information, work independently, demonstrating
initiative, self-organisation and time management and collaborate with
others to achieve common goals.
Masters
LO6.
Gather, organise and analyse relevant primary and secondary evidence
or data so as to present coherent and clearly reasoned arguments
which address specific problems ;
LO7.
Apply conceptual frameworks and research methodologies to casestudies.
Curriculum
For the MA, you must study units amounting to 180 Credits, which includes a
dissertation worth 60 Credits and taught courses amounting to 120 Credits. Full time
students must take taught courses amounting to 60 Credits in each semester.
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. If you
are a full time student you must take taught units amounting to 60 Credits in each
semester.
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.
Introduction to Peace Studies is a common core module for ALL Peace Studies
students. The module itself, and the requirement for all students to take this module,
reflects the distinctive approach adopted to the study of security and development in
the Division of Peace Studies, not least in the commitment to positive peace. The
module aims to provide you with a thorough grounding in both the evolution of peace
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studies as an area of study and the history of peace research at Bradford. The
module also provides you with advanced knowledge and understanding of key
theories of conflict, approaches to conflict analysis, approaches to peace in different
societies; non-violence, the history of peace movements and the relationship
between culture and peace. A key feature of the module is a one day workshop that
explores the relationship between gender, peace and conflict.
The theoretical frameworks and the issues explored in this module will provide you
with a rigorous grounding in the history, philosophy and practice of peace and
therefore underpins your more focussed exploration of security and development
issues in the other core modules.
Fragile States and the Security-Development Nexus is the second core module
for CSD. The curriculum for this module is rooted in the critical research conducted
by staff in Peace Studies on security issues in developing countries including the
securitisation of underdevelopment, (particularly as these pertain to fragile and
conflict-affected states), the liberal peace, human security, and on alternative
conceptions of peace and development. The curriculum also reflects the extensive
experience of staff members who have worked on policy development in the fields of
security sector reform; armed violence reduction; and conflict-sensitive development
aid. The module will examine topics such as the securitisation of underdevelopment;
war economies and the resource curse; ethical trading initiatives; human security;
environment-security inter-relationships; security sector reform; conflict prevention
and conflict-sensitive development; and armed violence reduction.
Natural Resource Governance, Conflict and Co-operation is the third core course
module for CSD. The module aims to develop an advanced understanding of the
main theoretical frameworks and debates, from both Development Studies and
Peace and Conflict Studies - and of local, national and international policies and
practices - concerning governance of scarce natural resources (such as land and
freshwater), and processes of conflict and co-operation relating to access to, and
use of, such resources in developing countries. It focuses particularly on these
issues in relation to policies and practices in ‘fragile’ or conflict-affected developing
countries; and to international and donor efforts to provide relevant support. This
module draws on the internationally recognised research and applied work in these
areas in both the Development Studies and Peace Studies Divisions of SSIS.
Gender, Security and Development: No social process, including violent conflict,
can be properly understood without a gender analysis (which also intersects with
other deep structural and identity factors such as culture, religion, ethnicity, class).
This module introduces students to applied gender analysis in understanding the
roots , the motivations of the actors and the impacts of violent conflict; and the
design of post-conflict reconstruction and development. We pay as much attention to
men as to women, and consider not just women’s social roles but also that played by
different expectation of masculinity. We analyse how gender roles intersect with the
drivers of conflict (inequality, nationalism, identity politics, resources) and pay
particular attention to the gendered aspects of restoring peace (peace keeping,
peace agreements, post conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, post-conflict
politics, Disarmament, demobilisation and reconstruction and Security sector reform
The syllabus of this course module thus includes: natural resource exploitation and
governance in developing, fragile and conflict affected states; drivers of natural
resource scarcity and competition; theories, debates and experiences of conflict and
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co-operation over natural resources, and of risks of violent conflict; analyses of
governance, co-operation and conflict in specific natural resource sectors (e.g.
water, rivers, land, forestry, minerals, wildlife), in a number of contexts (e.g. semiarid; arid; rainforest; coastal); sustainable development of natural resources in fragile
and conflict affected regions; examination of theories, practices and case studies of
natural resource governance in fragile states at local, national, regional and
international levels, and in a context of globalisation; post-conflict reconstruction and
natural resource governance; international development co-operation and aid
programmes and natural resource conflict and cooperation in fragile states.
Postgraduate Diploma
Module
Code
Module Title
Type
Credits
Level
Study
period
SP-7008D
Introduction to Peace Studies
Core
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7009D
Fragile States and the SecurityDevelopment Nexus
Core
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7003D
Natural Resource Governance,
Conflict and Co-operation
Core
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7002D
Gender, Conflict and Development
Core
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7011D
International Politics and Security
Studies
Option
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7010D
Conflict Resolution Theory
Option
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7012D
Arms Trade and Arms Control
Option
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7007D
Introduction to African Politics
Option
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7023D
Religions, Conflict and
Peacemaking in a Post-Secular
World
Option
20
M
Sem 1
SP-7005D
Applied Conflict Resolution Skills
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7013D
The Authoritarian Challenge to
Democracy
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7006D
African Security Studies
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7015D
Regional and Global Security
Politics
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7004D
Cities in Conflict
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7026D
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7014D
Social Movements
Option
20
M
Sem 2
SP-7001D
Africa Study Visit
Option
20
M
Sem 2
Masters
The 15,000 word dissertation provides an opportunity for in-depth research on a
topic of your choice, working closely with your academic supervisor over a period of
about four months.
Module
Code
Module Title
Type
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Credits
Level
Study
period
5
SP-7019Z
Dissertation (CSD)
Core
60
M
DISS
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring
and review procedures.
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
Our teaching and learning strategies are structured around principles of participation
and promote your active collaboration. They encourage the development of your
existing skills in a range of areas, from subject specific knowledge to transferable
and applied skills that are essential for future employability. A variety of strategies
are employed on the MA programme including lectures, tutorials, simulations, role
play, seminars and group work. Hand-outs supplement the lectures and audio-visual
aids are employed where appropriate. We strongly encourage the use of digital
learning technologies, for example the use of podcasts of major international
conferences / interviews, Skype conferences with colleagues and peers, ‘virtual’ field
work and the use of tools such as webquest. A virtual learning environment called
“Blackboard” will also be used to support ‘tandem’ learning (posting of lecture notes
and presentations, readings and other relevant materials; email discussion groups,
notice boards and announcements) and as a portal to information and organisations
which focus on peace and conflict issues. There is also a schedule of Divisional
seminars and guest speakers.
A range of assessment methodologies are employed across the course units
including: essays, reflexive journals, analysis reports, and formally assessed group
and individual presentations. These are configured to enable you to meet the
learning aims and outcomes of the MA programme. The assessment strategy ofthe
four core modules of the MA Conflict, Security and Development enhance your skills
and test your learning through a 4,000 word report (Gender, Conflict and
Development), essays (2,500-3,500 words – Introduction to Peace Studies, Fragile
States and the Security-Development Nexus, Natural Resource Governance,
Conflict and Co-operation), policy analysis (Natural Resource Governance, Conflict
and Co-operation) and individual and group presentations (Introduction to Peace
Studies, Fragile States and the Security-Development Nexus, Natural Resource
Governance Conflict and Co-operation. A dissertation of 14-15,000 words must be
submitted by a date to be determined by the Division each year and clearly specified
in the MA handbook.
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Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for
Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link:
http://www.bradford.ac.uk/media/AcademicQualityUnit/Documents/RegulationsOrdin
ances/Reg-governing-postgrad-award.docx
Admission Requirements
Peace Studies admits about 100 postgraduate students a year. The MA student
body is diverse: some 30 nationalities are represented by men and women of all
ages and with a wide range of backgrounds and experience.
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their
previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of
each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our
assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability
to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each
programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a
combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be
equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this
learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained
within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry
qualifications.
The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled
students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are
applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact
the programme leader before you apply.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist library in 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.
Student Support and Guidance
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Course Team
Support for you personally and in your course of study, will be provided both by the
University and the Course Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is
someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal
concerns. The School will ensure that there is someone available with whom you
feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be provided with a comprehensive
series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your
course tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries.
Students’ Union
We value the feedback provided by students and collaborate with the Students’
Union, through a system of course representatives and formal staff student liaison
committees, so that any issues you wish to raise are addressed rapidly.
The Students’ Union and the University of Bradford work in partnership to provide
confidential counselling and welfare services where you can get help with any aspect
of your personal or academic life. Student Financial and Information Services (part
of the Hub) will provide you with information about a diverse range of issues such as
council tax, personal safety and tourist information. International Students can
access a range of additional advice and support services through the Student’s
Union.
The Hub, Student Support Centre
The Hub, Student Support Centre provides a central reception where students can
receive information, advice and guidance on a whole range of topics about their life
at University. The Hub is located in the Richmond Building adjacent to the Atrium.
The teams located within The Hub:





Accommodation
Admissions
o Education Liaison
o Enquiries
Student Administration and Support
o Bursaries and Financial Support
o Finance and Credit Control Group
o Payzone
o Records and Tuition Fees
International Office
Customer Service Team
www.brad.ac.uk/hub
+44 1274 232233
Careers and Employability
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability
and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available
throughout the course from Career Development Services including help to find parttime work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies.
Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the
extensive resources on the web site www.careers.brad.ac.uk.
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Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring
options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of programmes there is direct input
by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged
workshops.
The specific provision on this programme is intended to meet the employability
expectations of Peace Studies graduates. These are typically focused on careers in
conflict management, international organisations, non-governmental organisations,
civil service, local government, police, journalism, diplomacy, research and
education. The MA in Conflict, Security and Development provides applied skills and
knowledge, and the critical research and analysis capacities that are required by
employers in these fields. Teaching on the program is research informed and
delivered by an academic team that is engaged in knowledge transfer activities with
employers and practitioners, enabling us to constantly review our employer
engagement capability. The MA provides a mix of both discipline and personal
transferable skills. Graduates develop an independent and critical ability to gather,
organise and analyse relevant primary and secondary evidence or data, to use
communication and information technology for the retrieval of and presentation of
information, to demonstrate initiative, and to collaborate with others to achieve
common goals.
The calibre and diversity of our student body adds value to our programme in terms
of the networking opportunities provided.
Learner Development Unit
The Learner Development Unit provides support in all aspects of academic, maths,
numeracy and interpersonal skills. A programme of interactive workshops is
delivered during both semesters which complements the individual support available
from Advisers and the wide range of interactive online materials.
Disability
Disabled students will find a supportive environment at Bradford where we are
committed to ensuring that all aspects of student life are accessible to
everyone. The Disability Service can help by providing equipment and advice to
help you get the most out of your time at Bradford and is a place where you can
discuss any concerns you may have about adjustments that you may need, whether
these relate to study, personal care or other issues. For more information contact
the Disability Service by phoning: 01274 233739 or via email:
disabilities@bradford.ac.uk
University policies and initiatives
Ecoversity
Ecoversity is a strategic project of the University which aims to embed the principles
of sustainable development into our decision-making, learning and teaching,
research activities campus operations and lives of our staff and students. We do not
claim to be a beacon for sustainable development but we aspire to become a leading
University in this area. The facilities we create for teaching and learning, including
teaching spaces, laboratories, IT labs and social spaces, will increasingly reflect our
commitments to sustainable development. Staff and student participation in this
initiative is crucial to its success and its inclusion in the programme specification is a
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clear signal that it is at the forefront of our thinking in programme development,
delivery, monitoring and review. For more details see
www.bradford.ac.uk/ecoversity/
Further Information:
For further information, please check the University prospectus or contact
Admissions.
The Admissions Office
The Admissions Office
The University of Bradford
School of Social and International Studies
Richmond Road
The University of Bradford
Bradford, BD7 1DP
Pemberton Building
UK
Richmond Road
Bradford, BD7 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1274 233054
+44 (0)1274 234198/5255
http://www.brad.ac.uk/courses/
http://www.brad.ac.uk/ssis/
The contents of this programme specification may change, subject to the University's
regulations and course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
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Appendices
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
Postgraduate Diploma
LO1.
Comprehend and differentiate alternative theories, concepts,
interpretations and discourses relevant to the study of conflict, security
and development issues and particularly those that are relevant to
fragile and conflict-affected states;
LO2.
Relate the study of conflict and conflict resolution to wider debates in
the field of peace studies;
LO3.
Critically evaluate alternative theories, concepts, interpretations and
discourses in the field of peace and conflict studies and engage in an
advanced evaluation of their explanatory and/or transformatory
potential when applied to issues of gender and conflict;
LO4.
Critically assess the nature, significance of, and relationship between
varied security and development issues facing fragile and conflictaffected states, including resource management, and provide advanced
analysis of international policy debates, challenges and responses in
the field of conflict, security and development;
LO5.
Communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing, use
communication and information technology for the retrieval of and
presentation of information, work independently, demonstrating
initiative, self-organisation and time management and collaborate with
others to achieve common goals.
Masters
LO6.
Gather, organise and analyse relevant primary and secondary evidence
or data so as to present coherent and clearly reasoned arguments
which address specific problems ;
LO7.
Apply conceptual frameworks and research methodologies to casestudies.
Module
Assessment
Learning
Outcomes
Teaching and
Learning
Introduction to Peace
Studies
Essay, Report
LO2
Lectures, Study
Day, Guest
speakers
Fragile States and the
Security-Development
Nexus
Essay, Group
presentation
LO1,2
Lectures, seminar
presentations,
DLT
Natural Resource
Governance
Essay, Group
presentation
LO1,4
Lectures,
seminars, DLT,
policy analysis
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Gender, Conflict and
Development
Report
LO3,5
Lectures, student
presentations,
small group work,
case studies
Dissertation
Dissertation,
Proposal
LO2,5,6,7
Lectures, one to
one Supervision
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