The Politics of Conflict and Violence MA, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

How do politics dictate war and peace? How has conflict shaped politics? What can we do about humanitarian intervention? This distance learning degree isn’t just about asking critical questions – it’s about making critical progress.

This degree will provide you with the skills and resources necessary to ask critical questions about the politics of conflict and violence in the modern world. Combining theoretical and empirical approaches, you will explore the politics, sites, logic, technologies and ethics of conflict and violence.

You will complete two core modules and then choose two option modules which, along with your chosen dissertation subject, allow you to focus on your preferred specialisms. You will have the opportunity to conduct an advanced study on subjects which include:

• the politics of war and peace
• the politics of nuclear weapons and arms control
• humanitarian intervention
• the political legacies of conflict
• the changing character of war
• the nature and theoretical conceptualisation of violence

This course is suitable if you have an academic background in (but not limited to) international relations, politics, political theory, war studies, terrorism studies, history, human rights, journalism, philosophy or law. The course will benefit you if you are seeking professional development and enhanced employability in relevant sectors such as non-governmental organisations, the military, media, private security, the UN or other international organisations.

Distance learning gives you the flexibility to tailor your study around your other commitments and gain your qualification whilst still working.

What's the difference?

• For the MA you will complete two core modules, two option modules and a dissertation.
• For the PGDip you will complete two core modules and two option modules.
• For the PGCert you will complete two core modules.

The PGDip and PGCert are not available as full-time courses.

Why Leicester?

• Our staff play leading roles in cutting-edge global research networks, actively advising and engaging with global policy communities, civil society, the media and the public.
• We have also received a Jean Monnet grant from the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme to develop our teaching in this area and run additional activities for MA and research students
• You’ll have the opportunity to share ideas and debate with a diverse and interesting group of students, many of whom work in sectors related to security and conflict.

Distance Learning

This course is taught entirely online via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.

As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You can also make use of the University’s Career Development Service as well as a broad range of other support services.

If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.

You will be guided through your modules by a well-trained and experienced tutor who will be available online throughout your studies. You will have access to the library’s special service for distance learning students, access to the internet and database services, as well as the virtual learning support environment, Blackboard.

Teaching and Assessment

You will get a weekly reading list accompanied by questions or exercises to get you thinking and help you engage critically with that week’s literature. Each week you are invited to join our online forums to discuss your reading, ask questions, share ideas and debate arguments.

Alongside your weekly reading and discussions, you are expected to complete online modules, designed to build a supportive online community of students as well as develop your key scholarly skills. E-tivities take the form of a combination of non-credit-bearing and credit-bearing assessments designed to complement and support the learning objectives for your particular module. Credit-bearing assessments for each module include a reflective statement and an end-of-module essay.

Your modules are structured enough to keep your studies on track whilst remaining flexible to the unique needs of distance learners, many of whom we know combine studies with demanding jobs.

You will be supported by a dedicated team of tutors and support staff available through Blackboard and email. Administrative support is available by telephone, and you can contact your personal tutor via telephone or Skype. You will be encouraged to contact other students to share views, ideas and issues and to create a virtual student community.

For the MA you must complete a dissertation.

Core modules

• The Politics of Conflict and Violence
• Critical War Studies

Plus your Dissertation

Option modules

Choose two optional modules from:

• International Security
• Post-Cold War World Order
• Theories of International Relations
• The International Politics of Protection
• Intelligence: Key Concepts and Debates
• The Politics of Human Rights
• Strategy in the Modern World
• Political Economy of International Development

The modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Our postgraduate degrees are an excellent way to enhance your expertise and career prospects. A postgraduate course in politics and/or international relations provides a foundation for a wide range of career options. You may seek to use your knowledge to work in government service, international organisations or areas of political research and journalism. Or you may opt to look for employment in an unrelated field such as banking, business or teaching where your MA will be respected as a postgraduate qualification.

Our politics and international relations courses are offered via distance learning, enabling you to tailor your study around your other commitments. The wide range of option modules provides you with the flexibility to tailor your course around your interests and also provides you with the skills and knowledge to move into a variety of careers or postgraduate research.