Global Security and Borders

Course Details

The programme has three different components: Core modules, an Elective module, and an MA dissertation.

(1) Core Modules: offer foundational knowledge and understanding in Global Security and Borders, practical experience and active learning within a work-based situation on the Borders Internship module, as well as teaching the key skills regarding how to design a research project.

These compulsory modules include:

• Approaches to Research Design
• Borders Internship (double-weighted – 40 CATS)
• Contemporary Security
• Global Security and Borders

(2) Elective Modules: offer the chance to specialise in a particular area of interest, build on foundational knowledge, and develop focused expertise.

One module is to be chosen from:

• Carbon Literacy for a Low Carbon Society and Economy
• Conflict Intervention
• Ethnic Conflict and Consensus: The Power of Institutions
• Gender, Politics and Democracy
• Global Terrorism
• Institutions and Politics of the EU
• International Political Economy
• Philosophy of Conflict and War
• The Politics of the Republic of Ireland

* This list of elective modules may vary from year to year.

(3) Dissertation: to enable students to develop their particular area of specialism, facilitate independent learning and instil a variety of skills such as project management, detailed analysis and self-motivation, students on the MA pathway must also write a dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.

A combination of seminar presentations, learning journals, literature reviews, portfolios, written essays, and a 60-credit, 15,000 word dissertation.

Afternoon and Evening.

Average of six hours contact teaching hours per week for the first semester. In the second semester, as well as two hours contact on an Elective module, the Borders Internship module will involve three days of a work-based placement, as well as supervision with a member of academic staff.

Students should expect to spend 10-12 hours of independent study for every two hours in seminars and lectures, spread across the course of the semester. However, the second semester Borders Internship involves a more complex mix of work-based learning and supervision.