Field trip - POL00083M

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in previous modules in practice by seeing first-hand how post-war recovery works and engaging in research in a post-war environment. Students gain invaluable insights into some of the constraints, challenges and opportunities that exist when transitioning from war to a more stable political and social environment. Students are encouraged to reflect on the theoretical content of the programme as a whole, and critically evaluate it against their experience on the ground. They should think critically about how their experience and the country case study in question reflects and addresses the significant political, ethical, logistical, and methodological challenges to post-war recovery.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

At the end of the module, students should:

  • Be able to critically reflect on the political, logistical, ethical, and methodological complexities of conducting research in a conflict-affected context
  • Be able to explain the political, social, and economic challenges that confront a country recovering from conflict
  • Be able to critique existing theory of post-war recovery through reflections on observed practice
  • Be able to convey a detailed and in-depth knowledge of a post-war case study

 

Academic and graduate skills

 

At the end of the module, students should:

  • Be able to conduct safe, ethical, and effective primary research in the field
  • Be able to effectively use qualitative research methodologies, specifically interviews
  • Be able to think critically about complex subjects
  • Be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms
  • Be able to present complex concepts and topics confidently

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written feedback on their research plans within a week and written feedback on their field trip report within 6 weeks of submission.

Indicative reading

Belousov, K. et al. (2007), 'Any port in a storm: fieldwork difficulties in dangerous and crisis-ridden settings', Qualitative Research, Vol. 7, Issue 155