MSc Politics of Conflict, Rights & Justice

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Who is this programme for?: The programme is designed for Masters students who are interested in the politics of human rights, humanitarianism and international and transitional justice especially in conflict and post-conflict states. It is also highly relevant to anyone working or intending to work in international NGOs, international organizations, think tanks and advocacy groups in the areas of rights, humanitarian assistance and transitional justice. It also looks more broadly at the future of global human rights in a world where, many claim, the influence of the West is declining and asks critical questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms and humanitarian intervention.

THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED FOR 2017/18

Structure, duration and requirements for gaining an award

SOAS has standard requirements relating to the structure and duration of taught postgraduate programmes and for the award and classification of these programmes.
Details can be found at http://www.soas.ac.uk/registry/degreeregulations/file60379.pdf

Programme structure 

Students must take 180 credits comprised of 120 taught credits (including core and option modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.

1. 45 credits from List A (core module)
2. Choose at least 3 x 15 credit modules from List B.*

3. Choose a further 2 x 15 credit units from either list B or C
4. 60 credit Dissertation on some aspect of Conflict, Rights & Justice (core).

 *Other modules in the School may be available with permission of the programme convenor.

Please note that not all option modules may run every year.

A. Core Modules

The course ‘Conflict, Rights and Justice’ is the core modules for the degree. Students must complete 3 x Core modules, worth a total 45 credits.

B. Choose at least 3 from the following:

You must choose at least 3 x 15 credit modules, worth a total of 45 points, from the following list.

List C: Choose a further TWO 15 credit units from either list B or C

This would be focused on some aspect of Conflict, Rights & Justice.

List D: Dissertation

60 credit Dissertation

This is the structure for 2018/19 applicants

Programme Specification

• MSc Politics of Conflict, Rights & Justice Programme Specification 2016 (pdf; 69kb)

Disclaimer

Teaching & Learning

Knowledge

Learning outcomes acquired in the following ways:

1. Students are required to attend all classes (lectures and seminars), study extensively on their own and prepare assessed as well as non-assessed work regularly.
2. Through core module lectures and seminars as well as through assessed work including group discussions.
3. Through teaching in core and optional modules.

Assessment: Through unseen examinations, assessed coursework essays and a dissertation.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:

1. These are fostered in all modules offered in the program where the information students receive needs to be assessed critically and conflicting interpretations arising from the same information discussed.
2. Students are encouraged not simply to summarise evidence and arguments but through application of critical questioning to develop their own assessments of the relative value of a range of arguments/sources of evidence.
3. Through the structure and content of the core module in conflict, rights and justice and other program and optional modules.
4. Students will prepare class presentations on topics selected from the core module and options reading lists.
5. They also carry out individual, independent dissertation work, including refining a broad ‘topic’ into a narrower, manageable and more precise research question/hypothesis.

Assessment: Through unseen examinations, assessed coursework essays and a dissertation.

Subject-based practical skills

Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:

1. Through independent work for dissertations and preparation for class presentations.
2. Through work on own, departmental dissertation guidance notes and meetings, meetings with supervisor.
3. Through required regular readings for weekly seminar discussions.
4. Through demonstration in lectures, through discussion in seminars, through questions in exams.

Assessment: Through unseen examinations, assessed coursework essays and a dissertation..

Transferable skills

Learning outcomes as above acquired in the following ways:

1. Through seminar presentations, discussions, group work and essays.
2. Through essays, project and dissertation
3. Through group project work.
4. Through classroom participation in seminars

Assessment: Through unseen examinations, assessed coursework essays and a dissertation.

Tuition Fees

Full details of postgraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Postgraduate Tuition Fees page.

This is a Band 3 tuition fee.

Fees for 2018/19 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

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