The Politics of Conflict and Insecurity: Narratives and Counter-narratives POLITIC4147

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The course aims to introduce students to the role of narratives in the construction of conflict and insecurity in international relations. Cases to be covered will include the politics of nuclear weapons, humanitarianism, and transitional justice.

Timetable

2 hour seminars x 11 weeks

This course may not be running this year. For further information please check the Politics Moodle page or contact the subject directly.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Politics requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

 

Recommended Entry Requirements

Politics 1A and Politics 1B

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessment

Essay (2, 000 to 2500 words) 50%

Case Study (2,000 to 2500 words) 50%

 

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The course aims to introduce students to the role of narratives in the construction of conflict and insecurity in international relations. This offers a critical perspective on the politics of conflict and insecurity from both conceptual and empirical angles. Cases to be covered will include the politics of nuclear weapons, humanitarianism, and transitional justice.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

- Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the role of narrative and emotions in conflict;

- Illustrate how narratives are constructed and resisted;

- Critically evaluate the role that narratives play in contributing to conflict or its resolution with application to case studies;

- Present clear, analytical and robust analyses and arguments in both written and oral form.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.