| Unit name | Dissertation in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLIM0062 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Professor. Roddy Brett |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This core unit provides the skills framework for you to engage with the academic and applied problems related to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. As you focus on an idea/theory or a case study (or both) in some depth through your dissertation, you will gain important research skills, engaging directly with the research process. This will may include qualitative, quanitative and mixed methods skills. In undertaking either primary research, in which you gather your own evidence, or, alternatively, through the analysis of secondary data or reviewing existing literature on a chosen topic, you will learn how to develop an original piece of research that will speak to and expand the knowledge base of the fields of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. You will also develop your skills by becoming critical consumers of the research literature and undertaking a systematic search and review of research literature. Some students may also choose to undertake a work placement - which requires going through a rigorous selection process in TB - in which students will also gain practical experience and skills of core relevance to the practice of conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The Dissertation in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Approaches is a mandatory unit for the MSc Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding and is thus part of the core of the programme. This unit plays a crucial role in preparing you to become proficient effective and knowledgeable professionals in the field, given that the dissertation will impart essential knowledge and analytical capabilities central to the interdisciplinary and academic/practice nature of the degree. The dissertation will have both academic value and high relevance for policy and practice, particularly given that students address questions of key significance for the field of conflict resolution.
For those students who opt for the work placement, they will also gain importance practical experience in the field of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Students on the placement will be selected through a rigorous and competitive process. We will endeavour to match students with projects from external organisations and third sector partners based on their preferences, although this may not always be possible.
An overview of content
This unit provides the framework for your dissertation. There is a taught component to the unit, you will undergo methodological training. Following a 1,500 words dissertation proposal, the dissertation itself will be 10,000-12,000 words.
You will have the choice of two learning and study modes. In both cases, you will be supported by a SPAIS supervisor until the submission of your dissertation.
Mode A. A standard student-led academic dissertation, supported by an academic supervisor. You will scope out the project area with your supervisor’s support. You will complete a dissertation, enabling you to explore your own research interests while further developing your capacity for original critical thinking and project management.
Mode B. Placement Project and dissertation. You will be placed in a relevant organisation for a five-month period and your dissertation will be framed around the main topic covered during your placement and/or aligned with the stakeholder’s interests, read through the diverse debates, concepts and theories that you have learnt over the MSc teaching period. The placements will have both academic value and high relevance for practice.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will provide you with the opportunity to apply and enhance the knowledge and skills learned during your studies on the programme. You will enhance your analytical skills, enabling you to assess conflict situations critically and to design effective peacebuilding strategies.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the dissertation, you will be able to:
The dissertation will be supported by a series of lectures and will make use of synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery. The lectures will focus on skill development for developing and writing a long research project and skills based training specific to researching and writing a dissertation including: SPAIS ethics process; dissertation proposal writing; dissertation structures. You are assigned an individual academic supervisor, and will receive regular one-to-one meetings. Those students carrying out the placement as part of their programme will also engage directly with stakeholders.
How you will be assessed
15% - Dissertation Proposal (1500 words) in the style of a research proposal outlining the purpose and direction of the dissertation, why it is important and how the research will be carried out. The research proposal will ensure that your project is grounded in an understanding of key academic and/or policy debates, and that you are able to identify appropriate methodologies to address your research questions (ILOs 1, 2,3).
85% - Dissertation 10,000 to 12,000 words (all ILOs)
Through your research project you are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary research, policy and practice related to conflict resolution, wider society and peacebuilding efforts. This applied research project assessment will reflect the work’s ability to meet all ILOs.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Your dissertation proposal will be formative, in so far as it supports the development of your longer piece of writing. The proposal will be assessed substantial feedback will be provided by your supervisor.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The dissertation proposal counts towards your final dissertation mark (15%). However, the major summative (marked) assessment will consist of the final marked dissertation, which counts towards 85% of the unit grade.
When assessment does not go to plan:
As determined by the exam board, and subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you will normally submit a revised version of your previous assignment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLIM0062).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
