Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DST5215

 
TITLE Conflict Inquiry

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 3

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for the Study and Practice of Conflict Resolution

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces students to the philosophies that support social science research as well as relevant methods of inquiry. The overarching concepts of epistemology (the identification of knowledge or how we know), ontology (the nature of the world/reality that we identify, the what we know), and methodology (what we do or the ways by which we generate new or test existing knowledge) will guide the development, articulation, and critique of research and inquiry in exploring conflict and potential resolution approaches. During the study-unit, students will learn how to analyze scholarly articles, explore individual assumptions, develop problem statements or questions for inquiry, begin to develop a research proposal, and gain basic skills in research design and implementation. The study-unit will also delve into quantitative and qualitative methods that are useful in understanding and analysing conflict. It will also provide a critical review of mainstream methods and their limitations when conducting field research in conflict zones.

Study-Unit Aims:

- To prepare students with basic skills to support a variety of conflict resolution research modalities, including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Engage in critical reflection and analysis of the goals of research and inquiry and the production of knowledge in conflict analysis and resolution;
- Integrate research with theory and practice;
- Examine strengths, limitations, and theoretical underpinnings of quantitative, qualitative, and comparative research;
- Understand the ethical implications of research.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Learn how to frame a topic for research and to develop a research proposal;
- Propose a methodological undertaking to investigate and analyse real-world conflict.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

These are available electronically.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES George Mason University is responsible for this study-unit.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Natalia Vassilievna Mirimanova

 

 
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Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit