Quick Facts

How to apply: Link to online application process

Period of study: 1 year full time or 2 years part time

Degree awarded: Master of Arts

Entry points: September 2012 subject to approval

Deadline for entry in September 2012: August 2012 though candidates are encouraged to apply earlier to secure their place

Course fees for entry in September 2012:

MA (full-time)
UK/EU students (per annum): £5,000
International students (per annum): £12,300

MA (part-time)
UK/EU students (per annum): £2,500

Academic lead/course enquiries:
Dr Jenny Peterson, HCRI Director of PGR and Course Convener for MA in Peacebuilding jenny.h.peterson@manchester.ac.uk

Application process/administrative enquiries:
hcri@manchester.ac.uk

About the Course

This interdisciplinary MA explores the processes through which actors have attempted to define and build peace in areas affected by violence. Drawing on expertise from the fields of history, politics, anthropology and the arts, this new course will offer students the opportunity to critically address the conceptualization of peace and the implementation of peacebuilding projects by global, regional, national and local actors.

Intended learning outcomes of the programme

Students should be able to show a critical understanding of:

1. Key issues and debates related to the theories of peace and practices of peacebuilding. Students will show familiarity with different theoretical approaches, practical problems and an appreciation of the diversity of policies at international, regional, national and sub-national levels.

2. The range of social science topics which influence peacebuilding (including political, historical, anthropological understandings of peace and related programming). Students will become familiar with the methodological and normative underpinnings of these disciplines and their concomitant effect on peacebuilding

3. The analytical and policy literature concerning the related issues of peacebuilding, including international governance structures, the concept of statebuilding, foreign policy analysis and the role of key actors and institutions including the state, multilateral and bilateral agencies, international and domestic NGOs as well as the military and other security actors.

4. An understanding of local approaches to peacebuilding, including an awareness of the problems and critiques associated with `bottom up' approaches.

5. The development of a range of academic and professional/transferrable skills through both independent and group-based work6. A detailed understanding of a specific conceptual and/or policy-related area of peacebuilding along with implications and limitations of research findings on this subject, and of how to produce an original piece of academic research. Delivered via the dissertation module.

6. A detailed understanding of a specific conceptual and/or policy-related area of peacebuilding along with implications and limitations of research findings on this subject, and of how to produce an original piece of academic research. Delivered via the dissertation module.

Special Features

The Institute is developing a novel configuration for research and teaching which will uniquely associate practitioners, non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners, theoreticians, policy makers and analysts in sustained intellectual engagement. Combining a targeted programme of research with the provision of timely analysis on current emergencies and conflicts, the institute will seek to develop new methodologies in the emerging field of humanitarian and conflict response research.

Course units

You will undertake 180 credits of course units with the dissertation providing a contribution of 60 credits.

Core Modules (15 Credits Each) Students must take all of the following:

• Peacebuilding: Inquiries

• Peacebuilding: Case Studies

• Anthropology of Violence and Reconstruction

• Reconstruction & Development (IDPM)

• Dissertation (12 000 - 15 000 words) (60 Credits)

Optional Modules: Students to choose 60 credits from the following:

• Responding to Illegal Economies & Political Violence (15 Credits)

• Humanitarian and Conflict Response: Inquiries (15 Credits)

• History of Humanitarian Aid (15 or 30 Credits)

• Global Health (15 Credits)

• Conflict Analysis (IDPM) (15 Credits)

• Ethics in World Politics (Politics) (15 Credits)

• Security Studies (Politics) (15 Credits)

• Human Rights in World Politics (15 Credits)

• Performance Theory and Practice (Drama) (30 Credits)

Please note that this is an indicative list and course modules may vary from year to year.

Entry Requirements

Bursaries

The HCRI MA bursary, worth £5,000, will fund home fees or can be used as partial payment for the overseas fee. It is tenable for one year only. Applicants should state their interest in the award within the funding section of the online application form and also provide a personal statement (max 500 words) outlining why they have chosen to study this particular MA and what they will bring to the course. The HCRI MA bursary is awarded based on a number of criteria including previous academic performance, relevant professional experience, reference letters, and the quality of the reflections in the applicant's personal statement. Deadline for applications is 1 June 2012.

Career Opportunities