Violence, Terrorism and Security

Course Details

Six taught modules, plus a dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.

Students will take:

• Approaches to Research Design
• Conflict Intervention
• Contemporary Security
• Global Terrorism
• Violence, Terrorism and Security

Plus one module from the following:

• Ethnic Conflict
• International Political Economy
• Philosophy of Conflict and War

Some recent MA VTS dissertation topics have included:

• Bioterrorism and arms control
• Child soldiers and international law
• Counter-insurgency and targeted assassinations
• Covert Intelligence and Collusion
• Cultures of Youth Violence
• Cyber-terrorism
• Gender and Counter-terrorism
• Light arms proliferations
• NATO expansion and Ukraine
• New Terrorism and ISIS
• Paramilitary recruitment
• Policing Private Military Companies and Africa
• Radicalisation and Recruitment
• Religious Diplomacy and Paramilitary movements
• Security and Development
• Security Sector Reform
• State power and the intelligence community
• Taliban, counter-insurgency and narco-terrorism
• Transitions from terrorism: ETA and the IRA compared
• UK Government PREVENT policy
• US Counter-terrorism strategies
• US Domestic Terrorism

Assessment and Feedback are continuous throughout the course of study.

Students are provided a range of assessment approaches, both formal and informal as well as formative and summative, in order to enhance the student learning experience and improve student attainment. Each module typically consists of two or three main pieces of assessment and can include essays, policy reports, simulations, presentations, among other forms of assessment.

Feedback is provided throughout the VTS programme for continuous student reflection and growth. Teachers provide thorough and systematic feedback on assessed work. Feedback is also available from your personal tutor as well as via various support mechanisms and training courses in the university, such as via the Student Guidance Centre.

• Teaching hours take place in morning/afternoon/night.

• Each module usually consists of 2-4 contact teaching hours per week, depending on the module. Most study, however, consists of independent research and reading. Each student is also allocated a personal tutor/academic advisor who, alongside teaching in each module, aids in the learning process.

• Modules involve a variety of teaching approaches designed to inspire critical and transferable skills.

• Learn with award winning teachers. Teachers in the MA VTS programme are leading experts in their field. Many have been granted teaching awards for their innovative and engaging pedagogical approaches.

• There are multiple talks, events, and extra-curricular activities and training courses on campus each year, outside of the formal VTS programme, that are related to Violence, Terrorism and Security.

• It is anticipated that internship opportunities in Belfast will be made available to students.