Human Rights and International Conflict – MA

Why study this course?

Human rights and international conflicts confront us with the most urgent moral and political issues of our time. This course explains and explores these issues, addressing hard questions by drawing on diverse theoretical approaches and practical experiences. Taught by published experts in human rights, peace and conflict studies, international relations, politics, history, philosophy and women’s studies, the master’s degree will equip you with the kind of understanding necessary to work for peace, justice and human rights in the real world.

More about this course

The Human Rights and International Conflict MA explores the relation of states and their international organisations to the idea and practice of human rights. You’ll gain a strong grasp of the moral, ethical, political and legal issues at stake in international relations and conflicts, including the current conflict between Islamism and the international community of states.

You’ll confront the issue of how to reconcile theoretical unconditional rights with a consequentialist ethic of political responsibility and security. You’ll also explore particular interests, problems and conflicts that demand judgement and action.

The master’s degree will provide both a solid academic grounding in human rights and international relations, and offers a wide choice of optional modules. You’ll be trained in research methodology before completing a 12-15,000 word dissertation dealing with a subject of your choice.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:

History and Theory of Human Rights (core, 20 credits)

Human Rights and International Conflict Dissertation (core, 60 credits)

Human Rights and the International Order (core, 20 credits)

International Conflict Resolution (core, 20 credits)

American Foreign Policy in the 21st Century (option, 20 credits)

Citizenship and Social Justice (option, 20 credits)

Human Security (option, 20 credits)

International Law and International Order (option, 20 credits)

Religion and International Relations (option, 20 credits)

Security Studies (option, 20 credits)

Social Policy Themes and Priorities: Local, Regional and Global (option, 20 credits)

Theory and Research Methods in International Relations (option, 20 credits)

Violence Against Women: Issues, Research and Policy (option, 20 credits)

Where this course can take you

Graduates of this course have opportunities for employment in the private, public and third sectors. Graduates have gone on to work in private,  public and third sectors. Some graduates also go on to study for a PhD.