MA Conflict Transformation and Social Justice
Queen's University Belfast
Key Information
Campus location
Belfast, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 3 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 19,100 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* international fee
Introduction
This is a unique and innovative interdisciplinary programme taught through subject areas that include law, anthropology, English, history, philosophy, politics, psychology, sociology and the creative arts. Module choice within the programme will permit you to build your own personalised portfolio of knowledge and learning within the area of conflict transformation and social justice. You will be taught by academics and practitioners whose expertise is both national and global and who offer research-led teaching in areas of conflict such as South/ Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Southern Europe, South America and Northern Ireland.
Queens University offers the only global interdisciplinary MA programme on Conflict Transformation and Social Justice.
Conflict Transformation And Social Justice Highlights
This programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding both conflict transformation and social justice working closely with The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute.
Global Opportunities
- Queen’s currently has over 3,000 international students from 85 different countries. Queen’s is ranked 22nd in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020). This programme attracts a diverse range of students both local and international enhancing and enriching the classroom learning experience.
Career Development
- Our graduates find employment in NGOs, civil sector organisations, in policy research, law, advocacy, government, peace journalism, and conflict mediation settings.
World-Class Facilities
- Established in 2016, The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice is an international centre of excellence at Queen’s University Belfast. The Institute fosters collaborations across a range of subject areas which allow the Faculty to address some of the key global challenges faced in seeking to achieve fairness, security, prosperity, social harmony and progress. A flagship for interdisciplinary research in areas of major societal challenge, the Mitchell Institute brings together excellent researchers from a wide range of disciplines to tackle some of the greatest global issues of our age.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- Students are afforded the opportunity to meet both scholars and practitioners of conflict transformation and social justice through a range of modules, masterclasses and events that emphasize both the scholarly and applied elements of conflict transformation and social justice.
- You will be taught by staff with research profiles of international standing, and wide ranges of interest in conflict transformation and social justice both geographically and disciplinary You will have annual masterclasses with visiting world-leading researchers, diplomats and/or practitioners.
Student Experience
- This programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding both conflict transformation and social justice. Students will meet experts from three different schools as well as the for Global Peace, Security and Justice, allowing for a broad range of geographical and conceptual/disciplinary insights.
- Location of Belfast: globally-significant locale for conflict and peace research; access to institutions, community projects, case studies for students' own work. Voluntary placements with local community groups are also facilitated as part of this programme.
Career Opportunities
Our MA will equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a range of careers in the private, public and voluntary sectors, domestically and internationally, including working in peacebuilding organisations, charities, international development agencies, journalism, social and community work, dispute resolution, counselling, policing, politics and policy development, law, teaching, religious ministry, research, and doctoral study/academia.
Employment after the Course
Our MA can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can lead to meaningful work in a range of fields, all over the world.
You may follow in the footsteps of some of our alumni, who are building careers in restorative justice, equality advocacy, international diplomacy (embassy work), the United Nations, Law school and doctoral programmes, policing, peacebuilding organisations, and organisations working with victims of human trafficking.
Our MA can also be useful as an aspect of continuing professional development for those already working in careers in social and community work, politics and policymaking, teaching, policing, religious ministry, the victims' sector, and journalism
Professional Opportunities
The study and employability skills associated with the MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice include:
- Group work
- Independent learning
- The collection and analysis of information
- Research skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills: oral, written and presentation skills
- Working under time constraints and to the deadline
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Gallery
Curriculum
Course Structure
Students may enroll on a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) basis. Students must complete two core modules (40 CATS points), four optional modules (80 CATS points), and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).
The MA is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS points) and a research dissertation (60 CATS points).
Exit qualifications are available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules.
Students will study and critically examine the key conceptual, moral, legal, political, and cultural issues that relate to conflict, conflict transformation, and social justice. This may relate to the fields of politics, law, sociology, history, anthropology, English, drama, and psychology.
Modules
Students are required to complete two compulsory taught modules as well as the triple-weighted dissertation (60 CATS):
- These modules are CSJ7001 Global Concepts and Practices of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (20 CATS) and HAP7001 Approaches to Research Design (20 CATS).
In addition to the compulsory modules, students take 60 CATS points of optional modules from the Institute and from existing programs delivered by the following Schools: Social Sciences, Education and Social Work; History, Anthropology, Philosophy, and Politics; Arts, English, and Language; Law and Management.
There are also several bespoke Conflict Transformation and Social Justice elective modules covering issues of community divisions, the legacy of conflict, religion, peacebuilding, etc.
Semester One (Autumn)
Core Modules
- CSJ7001 Global Concepts and Practice of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (Full-year module)
- HAP7001 Approaches to Research Design
Elective Modules
- LAW7811 Transitional Justice
- LAW7812 International Human Rights Law
- LAW7810 Theoretical Criminology
- LAW7813 Human Rights in Practice
- PAI7022 The Politics of the Republic of Ireland
- PAI7039 Gender, Peace, and Security
- PHL7056 Global Ethics
- SCA7002 Cultural Policy: International Perspectives
*modules are subject to change depending on availability
Semester Two (Spring)
Core modules
- CSJ7002 Dissertation
- CSJ7010 Research Approaches and Methods: Conflict Transformation & Social Justice, Int Relations, VTS
Elective Modules
- SOC9062 Conflict and Change in Northern Ireland: New Sociological Research
- PAI7052 Institutions and Politics of the European Union
- PAI7007 Global Terrorism
- PAI7036 The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions
- PAI7032 Gender and Politics
- ANT7013 The Anthropology of Music
- PAI7021 The Politics of Northern Ireland
- ANT7023 Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond
- SOC9058 Inequality and Emotions
- LAW7841 Issues in Policing and Crime Prevention
- PAI7030 International Political Economy
- CSJ7008 Conflict Mediation and Transformation
- PAI7027 Conflict Intervention
- PAI7058 From Cold War to Cold Peace: The Transformation of the International Order, 1979-1999
- CSJ7005 Religion and Peacebuilding
- PAI7100 Engaging citizens in democratic institutions
- LAW7816 Comparative Human Rights
- LAW7815 Counter-terrorism and Human Rights
- PHL7038 Philosophy of Conflict and War
*modules are subject to change depending on availability
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:
You will be part of a community of learners within the Institute who are dedicated to understanding conflict and its transformation. Class time includes plenty of opportunities for discussion. You will have annual masterclasses with world-leading experts and be able to attend the numerous public lectures organized by the Institute. You will also meet your lecturers and classmates at monthly brown-bag lunches and other informal events.
Some students may avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in voluntary, non-assessed placements with local peacebuilding organizations.
Personal Development
Our MA can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can lead to meaningful work in a range of fields, all over the world.
Our MA can also be useful as an aspect of continuing professional development for those already working in careers in social and community work, politics and policymaking, teaching, policing, religious ministry, the victims' sector, and journalism.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
- Examination
- Continuous assessment
Written feedback is provided on all assessed work. Students also receive oral feedback in the classroom and in one-to-one meetings with lecturers.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships
English Language Requirements
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