SGIA43215: Field Trip

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• to provide students with an opportunity to investigate issues in the field concerned with conflict prevention, conflict resolution, state and peace-building processes associated with a protracted conflict within a conflict and post-conflict environment. .
• to provide students with an opportunity to research and analyse the roles of individuals and organisations in designing and implementing peace-building and state-building processes in selected conflict affected countries.

• Indicative module content typically includes: a mixture of academic and field based activities. An introductory session will discuss conditions, risk analysis, behaviour, and health requirements. During the study visit meetings will be held with individuals and organisations working in the areas of conflict and peace building activities, development, security, humanitarian intervention and politics. There will be seminars and lectures on topics including: foundations and dynamics of the conflict; conflict analysis and mapping; the current political situation; peace process; the role of humanitarian agencies in conflict resolution and peace building; peace and conflict impact assessment; early warning and rapid response.
• Students will use learning and knowledge from prior modules and be given new information prior to the elective, depending on the location of the study visit.
• Assessment is by Reflective Journal and by Presentations during the Field Trip.
• Students will have to pay costs for the study visit. Location of study visit to be decided depending on (a) risk assessment (b) security situation (c) staff availability (d) uptake by students.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• (depending on the location of the study visit) an advanced understanding of post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, peacebuilding, political power sharing models, state stabilisation, demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of combatants, reconciliation and transitional justice, and peace through development
• an understanding of how the taught elements of the MA are operationally applicable in situations of tension and conflict
• an understanding of the methodologies used to study conflict and negotiation processes, and of the impact of our choice of methodology and conceptual framework on our understanding of conflict and negotiations, and vice versa.

Subject-specific Skills:

• to analyse ( at an advanced level) conflicts and design approaches for conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution that contribute to establishing sustainable peace
• to engage in research projects at MA level
• to apply subject related knowledge and advanced theoretical models to the evaluation of current local and global issues, to interpret and analyse empirical data at an advanced level and according to competing explanatory frameworks, and to recognise the impact of a chosen conceptual framework on ones research findings

Key Skills:

• to demonstrate an ability to construct argument critically for both oral and written presentation from different sources of material, including material delivered orally and in an article review, report or policy document.
• to demonstrate an independent approach to learning, critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
• to use sophisticated techniques of information retrieval and management using an array of print and digital resources.
• to demonstrate an ability to work cooperatively and constructively in group exercises and role plays
• to formulate complex arguments in articulate and structured English, within the discursive conventions and genres of academic writing and written to high academic standard
• to demonstrate effective time management.

• The module will be delivered over a two week study visit. Prior to the visit, students will be inducted through a briefing session and, through self-guided learning, acquire background knowledge and understanding of the conflict are to be visited.
• During the visit, students will learn through meetings with individuals and organisations, group discussions, reading and analysis of selected literature, and daily debriefs.
• Summative Assignment #1 Presentation: In the first presentation at the beginning of the Field Trip, students will focus on the history of armed conflict in the area in question. Students will be expected to demonstrate an independent approach to learning about the Field Trip location, to show an ability to critically analyse the conflict context. They will be expected to show subject-related knowledge about the country in question, as well as its connection to global issues, and broader theoretical course themes related to armed conflict, reconstruction, and peacebuilding. They will be expected to demonstrate an ability to construct arguments orally from different source materials, including course readings, independent research, and observations in the country. They will be expected to show time management while doing so. This assignment will prioritize research and analysis done prior to the Field Trip.
• Summative Assignment #2 Presentation: In the second presentation at the end of the Field Trip, students will focus on the present conditions of reconstruction and peacebuilding in the country in question. Students will be expected to demonstrate an independent approach to learning about the Field Trip location, to show an ability to critically analyse the conflict context. They will be expected to show subject-related knowledge about the country in question, as well as its connection to global issues, and broader theoretical course themes related to armed conflict, reconstruction, and peacebuilding. They will be expected to demonstrate an ability to construct arguments orally from different source materials, including course readings, independent research, and observations in the country. They will be expected to show time management while doing so. This assignment will prioritize research and analysis done during the Field Trip, and how students expectations have changed.
• Summative Assignment #3 Report: Students will be asked to pick a specific course theme related to conflict, peacebuilding, and reconstruction. They will be asked to reflect on their visit, and how understanding of the post-conflict peacebuilding that they have encountered, in a Reflective Journal. They will be encouraged to show an understanding of the taught elements of the course, especially about broader themes of generational trauma and peacebuilding. They will be expected to demonstrate an ability to construct arguments critically in a written manner. They will be able to formulate complex arguments from their own reflections, written to a high academic standard. The assignment will build from previous course work but will be expected to go farther in conducting independent research.

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