MA International Peace Building, Security And Development Practice in National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland

MA International Peace Building, Security And Development Practice in National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Description

This programme empowers actors and practitioners from development, security and other peace and security related institutional backgrounds involved in international peace-building with the knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable them to provide leadership to reduce and ultimately eliminate violent conflict.

This master’s programme will provide a challenging learning experience for those who wish to develop and integrate mediation and negotiation knowledge and skills with their awareness of wider conflict and development issues while providing students with a critical insight of the entire spectrum of international conflict intervention.

The main theme of the programme will be an integrated and comprehensive approach to the the nexus of peacebuilding, security and development. With increased awareness of the importance of these interlinkages has come increased demands on national and international institutions to respond in a holistic way. In the field, security actors are required to have a better understanding and greater skills in engaging with local communities, institutions and organizations at the local level, while development practitioners recognise a skills deficit with respect to conflict resolution and mediation and are increasingly expected to understand and engage with representatives of multifaceted agencies and communities, particularly when anticipating or responding to the consequences of complex crises.

Students will develop

• Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyse and articulate the violent conflict dimension of complex issues that require an integrated and comprehensive response.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex and unusual issues/problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions.
• Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement.
• Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to interventions in violent conflict.

The programme describes the process of negotiating and implementing peace agreements and  security actors and international interventions, drawing in senior personnel experienced in peacekeeping/ peace making and security operations.  It also explores the notion of partner and aid donors, the contribution of international organisations and cooperation with key strategic partners and the use of broad development instruments in support of conflict prevention and peace building.

Course Structure

The programme will be a fulltime offering every second year from August 2017 onwards. The programme will be delivered in the following manner;

Semester 1 – Classroom / Online modules (Aug – Dec)

Semester 2 – Classroom / Online-modules (Feb – June)

Semester 3 – Mixture of Online /Classroom/Supervision (May – Oct)

In following a fulltime programme, students must complete- 30 credits per semester  and complete a  dissertation within the 14 month period of the programme.  A flexible approach to delivery will be taken, through blended learning. Classroom based modules will be provided on campus in Maynooth University or in Kimmage Development Studies Centre, as part of existing Maynooth University MA programmes. 

For development modules, on-campus delivery of each 5 credit module involves 24 hours of class-contact. adopts a flexible approach to delivery of classroom based modules with some courses offered through 2 hour taught classes over 12 weeks (usually in the evenings) while others are offered through more concentrated blocks of time depending on timetable requirements and arrangements (typically 4.5 day blocks, delivered in a single week or over two weeks). Distance learning modules are structured to allow students to study at their own pace over a semester, with modules running in two cycles annually – October through January and February through May / June.

For the Kennedy Institute, classroom based modules which are normally 10 credits typically involve week long blocks (4.5 days). Each 1 ECTS module will typically involve at least 20 hours of work, including attending lectures, reading, writing coursework, preparing for exams and sitting exams. 

For the dissertation module, master classes on research design /methods will be provided by lecturers, and lecturers will provide supervision sessions, which will amount to 36 hours. Students must also undertake approximately 500 hours of independent study when completing the dissertation.

Career Options

This programme will give graduates knowledge, skills and competencies to work in:

-International Development and Peacebuilding NGOs

-Security Organisations

-International Organisations such as UN, EU and World Bank

-Government Agencies and Departments

Envisaged roles include:

-Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

-Conflict Analysis Advisors

-Military and security analysis

-Peacebuilding Policy Officer and Advocate

-Conflict Mediator

-Political Affairs Specialist

-Advisor on Gender and Security

-Advisor on Peacebuilding, Environment and Security