COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Dissertation & Research Design module equips students with the skills needed to design, plan, and execute an independent research project in their chosen field. It focuses on research methodology, data collection, and analysis, preparing students to produce high-quality research with a strong academic foundation. The Civilian Protection module provides valuable insight into protecting civilians from violence at local, national, and international levels. As civilian protection becomes a critical issue in international interventions, this module enables students to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions, focusing on the roles of international agencies, NGOs, and local organizations, while connecting these strategies to peace and conflict theory and human rights. In the International Human Rights Law module, students critically examine the purpose and application of international human rights law, including the role of the United Nations and the law embodied in international treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Students also study the legal principles defined by customary international law and explore the practical implications of human rights protection worldwide. One of the core modules, Global Policy Making: Environment & Human Rights, explores the intersection of environmental policy and human rights, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development and the global governance structures in place to address these issues. The other core module, Theorising Human Rights, delves into the philosophical and political debates surrounding the concept of human rights, examining universalist versus relativist views and exploring the dynamics of rights at the international, group, and individual levels. Finally, the Developing & Managing Projects module introduces students to project management, covering key aspects such as planning, evaluation, ethics, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Students will develop essential skills in project management and gain practical experience with funding applications and communication strategies using real-world case studies.