Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
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.
Entry requirements
- The qualification for entry is normally a first or upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Politics or International Relations, or a related social science discipline. Applicants without such a background may be considered for admission depending on their academic training and undergraduate performance.
- duration:
- Full Time: 1 Year
Part Time: 2-3 Years - students usually complete their core modules in Year 1, and their option modules and dissertation in subsequent years.
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.
Dissertation
Taught Component
Compulsory modules
Core Modules
AND
Choose modules to the value of 45 credits from list B below
AND
Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from list B or C below
List of modules (subject to availability)
List B
List C
Programme Specification
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Teaching & Learning
Knowledge
Learning outcomes acquired in the following ways:
- 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.
- Through core module lectures and seminars as well as through assessed work including group discussions.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Through the structure and content of the core module in conflict, rights and justice and other program and optional modules.
- Students will prepare class presentations on topics selected from the core module and options reading lists.
- 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:
- Through independent work for dissertations and preparation for class presentations.
- Through work on own, departmental dissertation guidance notes and meetings, meetings with supervisor.
- Through required regular readings for weekly seminar discussions.
- 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:
- Through seminar presentations, discussions, group work and essays.
- Through essays, project and dissertation
- Through group project work.
- Through classroom participation in seminars
Assessment: Through unseen examinations, assessed coursework essays and a dissertation.
