Skip to Content

Courses

Postgraduate Programme Specification

MA Global Security and Borders

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MA Global Security and Borders Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Arts
Programme Code INT-MA-GS UCAS Code HECoS Code 101288 - International studies - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

Places available: 12 Shortlisted applicants for the programme will be interviewed by a panel comprising the Programme Convenor, and, one or more other members of the School's academic staff.

Mode of Study Part Time or Full Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Part Time - 3 Academic Years
Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

N/A

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

General University Regulations apply at all Stages

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

Intellectual Aims: this programme will give students the opportunity to:
develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the core theories, concepts, issues, debates and case studies in Critical Security Studies and Border Studies – emerging fields in the discipline of International Relations;
think relationally about global security and borders: how pressing issues of global security are revealed most clearly in the operation of borders (i.e. excluding risks and threats), and how borders expose the fundamental contingency of state sovereignty and the international system (i.e. borders must be continually performed);
identify and develop their own intellectual interests in global security and borders, and refine those interests within an academic framework and through empirical workplace experience;

Skills Development Aims: this programme will give students the opportunity to:
develop and consolidate core intellectual skills (e.g. managing and prioritizing knowledge, analytical thinking, critical and independent thinking);
develop and consolidate career development skills (e.g. written and oral communication, time management, teamwork and collaboration, managing conflict);
develop and consolidate organizational skills (e.g. efficient and effective work practice; goal setting and strategic planning)
develop and consolidate management skills (e.g. delegation, decision-making, project management)
develop and consolidate professional skills (e.g. navigating institutional regulations, working in a professional environment)
develop and consolidate personal development skills (e.g. networking, initiative, independence, leadership, entrepreneurial thinking)
progress their learning in ways that develop and consolidate critical thinking and independent research skills, especially through the Borders Internship and the MA Dissertation

Impact Aims: this programme will give students the opportunity to:
understand how their learning, knowledge and understanding equips them to intervene in current debates about global security and borders;
contribute to academic impact by shaping key intellectual debates in International Relations, Critical Security Studies and Border Studies;
contribute to public impact by demonstrating how security and borders constitute some of our most pressing global challenges (e.g. migration, terrorism, conflict, nationalism, privacy, multiculturalism);
manage their own personal impact by implementing their intellectual, career development, organizational, management, professional and personal development skills in active seminar-based learning, through peer engagement and on an internship placement.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Develop advanced analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.

Solve problems, process and prioritize a wide variety of information, and express sophisticated arguments and positions in oral and written form.

Enhance their knowledge of relevant methodological and theoretical approaches to key issue areas relating to global security and borders.

Identify and articulate advanced level arguments relating to global security and borders in oral and written form.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Opportunities to develop advanced analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills will occur throughout the programme on taught modules, through independent study and on the Borders Internship.
Opportunities to develop problem solving and information processing strategies, as well as general methodological and theoretical approaches, will occur throughout the programme on taught modules, through independent study, and on the Borders Internship.

Self-reflection and evaluation will further enhance the critical thinking, sound judgement and independence of the student, and will be central to all modules. The discursive nature of seminar-based discussion allows for tutors to assess individual student progression and understanding, and adjust their teaching accordingly.

The student will enhance their skills and confidence through oral and written assignments, discussion groups, team tasks, and independent research, as well as through the Borders Internship.

Methods of Assessment

These advanced cognitive skills will be assessed by a variety of traditional and innovative methods including essay, learning log (internship), briefing paper (internship), and MA dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

•engage in relational thinking by acknowledging how pressing issues of global security are revealed most clearly in the operation of borders, and how borders expose the contingency of state sovereignty and the international system
•demonstrate an advanced awareness and understanding of the foundations of Critical Security Studies and Border Studies within International Relations;
•understand how Critical Security Studies and Border Studies relate to different theoretical approaches to global security and borders within International Relations; acknowledge the diversity of critical approaches and identify key tensions between them;
•recognise the interdisciplinary influences on Critical Security Studies and Border Studies and acknowledge how these inform its development;
•understand how critical theories of global security and borders translate into different practices at border sites, even when those sites are radically dispersed;
•apply contemporary academic debates about global security and borders to contemporary bordering practices;
•critically engage in debates on key developments in the politics of global security and borders;
•reflect upon the ethical and political implications and developments in global security and borders;
•engage in depth with a wide range of key issues in a theoretically informed way;
•pursue independent, creative and critical thinking through both written work and group debate and discussions

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures and small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations, video and role play. Students will also benefit from more innovative methods including one-on-one mentoring and cohort group work in Workshops. More individualized opportunities to facilitate independent learning are developed through academic and work-place mentoring and supervision (e.g. peer mentoring, dissertation supervision; Borders Internship).

Methods of Assessment

A variety of traditional methods will be used to assess students, including essays with pre-set and formatively developed questions, as well as the MA dissertation. The programme also develops innovative methods of assessment including a reflexive learning log and a project-oriented briefing paper to benefit the host institution (Borders Internship).

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

•understand of the key and evolving debates in Critical Security Studies and Border Studies
•critically engage with arguments relating to global security and borders, including contemporary bordering practices, the ethical and political implications of efforts to increase the security of borders; and moments where border security fails

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The teaching methods used to embed this knowledge and understanding include formal lectures and small group tutorials and seminars, many of which will be enhanced by learning aids such as power point presentations, video and role play. Students will also benefit from more innovative methods including one-on-one mentoring and cohort group work in the ‘Critical Security Studies in Action’ Workshop. More individualized opportunities to facilitate independent learning are developed through academic and work-place mentoring and supervision (e.g. peer mentoring, dissertation supervision; Borders Internship).

The key subject-specific skills embedded in the programme are:

Intellectual skills
•Managing & prioritizing knowledge
•Analytical thinking
•Critical & independent thinking
•Effective judgement
•Reflexive evaluation

Career development skills
•Communication and presentation (oral and written)
•Teamwork and collaboration
•Time management
•Respecting diverse arguments
•Self-reflexivity and confidence building
•Managing conflict
•Information technology
Organizational skills
•Efficient and effective work practice
•Clear organisation and presentation of information
•Goal-setting and strategic planning

Methods of Assessment

A variety of traditional methods will be used to assess students, including essays with pre-set and formatively developed questions, as well as the MA dissertation. The programme also develops innovative methods of assessment including a reflexive learning log and a project-oriented briefing paper to benefit the host institution (Borders Internship).

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Acquire and develop advanced subject-specific skills, as well as organizational, professional and career development skills that will be beneficial in further research, education and employment.
One of the MA’s core modules – the double-weighted PAI7097 Borders Internship – is key to providing transferable skills relating to employment. It has two main components:


•Students will undertake a dedicated 10 week site-specific Borders Internship at a non-HE institution for 3 days a week for 10 weeks (from weeks 3-12). This wiill be supported by a preparatory workshop. The host institutions are both governmental and non-governmental (3rd sector), and all are directly engaged in the work of global security and borders. The confirmed host institutions for the borders internship will change every year, depending on need, availability and student numbers. These will normally be finalised by September before the students begin the programme. Potential host institutions include:

Irish Customs, Dublin International Airport and Dublin Port.
North-South Ministerial Council, Armagh.
Cybersecurity Unit, PSNI.
The Migrant Centre.
The Equality Commission
Youth Justice Centre
Confederation of British Industries.

To ensure that the learning outcomes on the programme are met, the Borders Internship module will provide the following additional assurances:

•A fair and transparent allocation of internships to students involving the student’s preferences, student ranking by entrance grades and achievement, and an interview with relevant staff .
•A comprehensive model of supervision and monitoring (see next column) including regular one-on-one meetings with an academic supervisor, peer group mentoring and dedicated on-site supervision by a host mentor
•A dedicated effort, by the course convenor, to ensure that all visas for Tier 4 students undertaking internships in the Republic of Ireland are acquired in advance
•A concentrated effort by the course convenor and host mentor to ensure that any required security clearances are undertaken in advance of the internship starting
•A comprehensive risk policy to ensure that alternative arrangements can be made if an internship does not work out, runs into difficulty or breaks down.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The MA in Global Security and Borders enables postgraduate students to develop a broad portfolio of skills which will enhance their employability and/or provide them with a sound basis for progression to further research at doctoral level or elsewhere. The student will develop skills through engagement with module content, seminar discussions, independent learning, presentations, debate and discussion, informal networking with peers, expert mentorship, supervision and one-on-one mentorship.
The Borders Internship is central to the programme’s delivery of transferable skills in that it builds on, enhances and develops core intellectual skills that the students will gain from their academic study. It will give students the opportunity to ‘apply’ relevant concepts and analytical processes, and experience how global security and borders operate in a ‘real world’ context.

The Borders Internship will consolidate the following subject-specific skills (see above):

Career Development skills:
•Communication & presentation (oral & written)
•Teamwork & collaboration
•Time Management
•Self-Reflection & confidence building
•Managing conflict
•Using information technology

Organizational skills:
•Efficient & effective work practice
•Clear organisation and presentation of information
•Goal setting & strategic planning

The Borders Internship will develop and consolidate the following transferable skills:
Management skills
•Managing & prioritizing assigned tasks
•Delegation
•Decision making
•Project management and completion

Professional skills
•Navigating institutional regulations & standards
•Working in a professional environment

Personal Development skills
•Networking
•Initiative
•Independence
•Creativity
•Leadership
•Entrepreneurial thinking

To ensure that subject-specific and transferable skills are delivered to students, the programme has a comprehensive supervisory structure in place:

•Academic Supervision: The convenor for the module PAI7097 Borders Internship is the academic supervisor based at QUB who will advise on the requisite assessment and provide pastoral support. Students will meet regularly with the convenor throughout the semester to discuss progress and plan for the assessments. The convenor may also arrange peer-group supervisions throughout the semester for all students on the module to enhance peer engagement, feedback and learning

•Host Mentor: Each Intern will have a mentor / supervisor based at the host institution who will assign discrete tasks, arrange any specific training, and provide guidance for the topic of the student ‘briefing paper’. Normally host mentors will meet interns in the first and last weeks for 30 mins. All other weeks they will normally have an initial meeting for 15 minutes to specify tasks for the week ahead.

Methods of Assessment

Interns will be assessed through coursework including methods such as a Learning Log detailing the skills development on the internship, a Briefing Paper focusing on a specific aspect of the internship as advised by the host mentor, and an Academic Paper. All assessments will be marked and moderated by academics at QUB.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Borders Internship PAI7097 7 40 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 10% 0% 90%
Global Security and Borders PAI7037 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Institutions and Politics of the European Union PAI7052 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
The UK and Europe PAI7099 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN HAP7001 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Global Development PAI7103 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Social Injustice PHL7057 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Contemporary Security PAI7051 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Ethnic conflict and consensus PAI7050 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland PAI7021 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Terrorism PAI7007 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
The Politics of the Republic of Ireland PAI7022 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 40% 0% 60%
Conflict Intervention PAI7027 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Gender and Politics PAI7032 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Political Economy PAI7030 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Dissertation PAI9099 7 60 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Students must take 180 credits - 6 MODULES (THREE in Semester 1 and THREE in Semester 2) PLUS the MA Dissertation (60 credits).
Students are required to take FOUR CORE modules (TWO in semester 1 and ONE in semester 2 (one of which is a double-weighted module) PLUS the MA Dissertation)
Students are required to take TWO OPTIONAL modules (One OPTIONAL module in semester 1 and ONE OPTIONAL module in semester 2.

Students should normally have passed all taught modules prior to progression to the dissertation.

“Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students’ choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints.“