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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
MA in Peace and Conflict Studies
(International Double Award)*
Conflict, in its many forms, has been a permanent feature of human society. While not all conflict is destructive, the violent conduct of conflict has caused innumerable deaths and indescribable pain and suffering. It is this kind of deadly conflict that Peace and Conflict Studies addresses. It tries to understand its causes, to explain its effects and to describe its dynamics in order to prepare actors, be they state governments, international organisations or individuals, to better manage conflict peacefully, or to prevent it in the first place. This degree examines the major theories and leading practices of conflict and conflict resolution in international affairs, supplementing theory with detailed case studies. Topics include risk analysis, negotiation, mediation, conference diplomacy, twin track diplomacy, third party intervention, peace keeping, peace making, and coercive diplomacy. The programme includes simulation exercises. The programme draws on the vast pool of expertise on conflict analysis, management and resolution in the School and benefits from the presence of the Conflict Analysis Research Centre, a leading research centre in the field.
This programme offers the opportunity to study at the University of Marburg and obtain two masters degrees. You can opt to spend the first year in Canterbury and the second year in Marburg where courses will be taught in English. Alternatively fluent German speakers can opt to spend the first year in Marburg where courses will be taught in German and spend the second year in Canterbury.We strongly recommend that students start the programme in Kent as this is the more convenient option regarding the internship, because the Spring Term at Kent University ends in early April which allows students to do the internship between April and September. This allows time for an internship of 10 weeks during the period of April until early September. Students who start at Marburg have to do their internship in the semester breaks from mid-February to mid-April or from mid-July to mid-September. Please indicate on the reasons for study box on the application form whether you would like to start at Kent or Marburg.
Due to the limited places available on the programme, applicants who submit their application early (i.e. before end of March) will have a much higher chance of securing a place on the programme
.
Programme structure
Please see separate page for the single award versions of this programme, fully taught in Canterbury. The programme structure below is for those students who spend the first year in Canterbury and the second year in Marburg.
First year
Autumn term
3 modules of 20 credits each
Required
Optional
- PO824 International Relations Theory
- PO866 Federalism and Federal Political Systems
- PO886 European Public Policy
- PO916 International Security in a Changing World
- PO920 International Political Economy: Conflict, Co-operation and Institutions
- PO937 Resistance in Theory
- PO942 Resistance and the Politics of Truth
Spring term
3 modules of 20 credits each
Required
Optional
- PO848 Negotiation and Mediation
- PO859 Human Rights in a World of States
- PO867 Comparative Federal Political Systems
- PO885 Decision-Making in the European Union
- PO817 Resistance and Alternatives to Capitalism and Democracy
- PO917 Terrorism and National Security
- PO926 Designing Democracy
- PO936 Resistance in Practice
- Quantitative Methodology for Political Science
Second year
Required and optional modules plus a dissertation in Marburg.
Details of this programme are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change