REGULATIONS FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES (MGPSS)

Duration:                                         18 months               

Actual Credit Load:                          306

Minimum Credit Load:                     270

Maximum Credit Load:                     360

Maximum MBKs Credit Load:          216

ZNQF Level:                                    9     

 

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

• This programme is designed to equip students with both theoretical and practical skills in global peace and security studies

• The MSc in Global Peace and Security Studies offers a unique opportunity designed to enhance the understanding of conflicts in all their dimensions and to explore innovative approaches to their management, resolution and transformation.

• The Master’s Degree is suitable for professionals, graduate students, young researchers and other academics interested in enhancing their understanding of peace and conflict studies and acquiring skills to better address them.

2.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry: A 2.1 pass in BSc Honours Peace and Security Studies or related fields

Special Entry: A general degree and any other qualification line with the Zimbabwe National Qualifications Framework (ZNQF)

3.0 PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

• Part-time one and half year Master’s programme with flexible course formats
• Innovative and interactive teaching, delivered by an outstanding faculty of scholars, practitioners and trainers
• The course offers a bridge between the disciplines and perspectives of global peace and security studies
• Its approach provides a strong link between theory and actual practice
• Intensive skills training and policy workshops
• The module content links students to real-life issues and challenges of policy-makers and practitioners

Areas of study: global governance, international order, diplomacy, transnational policy international law, Gender and international relations and international crisis monitoring systems

Specialist Focus: global governance, international order, diplomacy

Orientation: Research and innovation oriented. Teaching and learning are professionally oriented and focused on practical aspects.

Distinctive Features:   The programme builds the research-technology-innovation-management continuum and focuses on knowledge development using a student-centred approach

4.0 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career Prospects: Diplomatic service officers, Government officers, Intelligence officers and analysts, Policy officers, and Civil service officers.

Further Studies: Doctoral in Global peace and Security Studies

5.0 Programme Delivery

Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, Group research and discussions and individual study

Assessment Methods: Oral presentations, written assignments, and Tests.

6.0 Intended Learning Outcomes

On the successful completion of the MSc in GPSS, students will,

Be introduced to the various nature and forms of conflict, approaches to conflict management and conflict resolution and also an understanding of some of the new approaches like comprehensive security and human security.

Have broader knowledge of the contemporary global, regional and strategic settings of the security environment in the world.

Be able to understand the strategic nexus between national and international interests and their roles in peace safeguarding.

Develop core competencies in global security affairs by building capacity on essentials of Security through theory and practice.

Acquaint themselves with the concepts of modern strategic thinking and an understanding of various dimensions of warfare in the conventional and nuclear context.

7.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1 The Master of Science in Global Peace and Security Studies Degree is an 18 months programme

8.0 PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT

    Continuous Assessment: Written assignments, workshop reports, seminar and group presentations, in-class tests, and any other relevant assessments contribute 40% to the final mark.

   Written Examinations: End-of-semester examinations constitute 60% of the final mark.

13.0 Programme Structure

Level 1.1

MGPSS 701 Theory and Practice of Global Peace and Security           18

MGPSS 702 Gender Peace and Conflict                                             18

MGPSS 703 Research Methods                                                         18

MGPSS 704 Theory of Intelligence Strategy                                  18

Electives

MGPSS 705 International Institutions and Peacekeeping in Africa       18

 

Level 1.2

MGPSS 706 Media Conflict and Communication                           18

MGPSS 707 Conflict Transformation Processes                                 18

MGPSS 708 International Law                                                          18

MGPSS 709 Crisis Monitoring and Conflict Early Warning Systems   18

Electives

MGPSS 710 Terrorism and De-radicalisation                                     18

 

Level 2.1

MGPSS 711 Transitional Organised Crime                                        18

MGPSS 712 Diplomacy and Global Governance                                18

MGPSS 713 Dissertation                                                                   90

 

14.0 Module synopses

MGPSS 701 Global, Peace and Security

The module focuses on key theories and debates on the fundamental origins of conflicts and the evolving nature of warfare in human history and major conflict resolution approaches to peacebuilding. The module also assesses violent conflicts globally and possible solutions for lasting peace as part of global governance.

MGPSS 702 Gender Peace and Conflict

The module offers various lenses through which students can assess the complex concept of gender and the inequalities that exist in their societies. The module stresses rethinking conflict from a gender perspective through critical analysis of the different roles women and men play in the conflict.

MGPSS 703 Research Methods

The module focuses on developing students’ advanced conceptualisation of problems and assisting them in generating qualitative and quantitative solutions based on empirical evidence. The module equips students with practical research skills and the advanced methodological expertise necessary to make a practical contribution to the development of peace studies and social science research in general.

MGPSS 704 Theory of Intelligence Strategy

In an increasingly interconnected, contested and complex world, international actors face a range of security challenges. This module intends to examine and enhance students with competing theoretical approaches to global security. Also, it embraces the policy and strategic contexts that influence the decisions, institutions and processes of national security, policy-making and security sector governance.

MGPSS 705 International Institutions and Peacekeeping in Africa

This course introduces and explores the history, institutions, core policies and impact of the United Nations, African Union and the Regional Community peacekeeping missions in the context of contemporary global peace and conflicts.  It addresses humanitarian responses and contemporary human rights challenges in conflict zones, including forced displacement, ethnic cleansing and debates regarding the responsibility to protect.

MGPSS 706 Media Conflict and Communication

This module examines the rudimentary role of communication in escalating, managing and conflict prevention. The module will make use of pertinent case studies to illustrate the potential of media in the escalation of management conflicts.

MGPSS 707 Conflict Transformation Process

This module offers various models of conflict transformation practice and engages in scholarly reflections in dealing with conflicts, models’ weaknesses and strengths. The process identifies key driving factors of destructive conflict with actions to transform institutions and discourses that justify and reproduce direct, cultural and structural violence at the global, national and local levels to achieve peace. Identification of case studies is of paramount importance.

MGPSS 708 International Law

The module focuses on the theoretical role and function of international law in regulating relations between states and resolving international disputes. It introduces students to several theoretical frameworks which assist them in evaluating international law historically and in context. It will provide students with knowledge and understanding of the origins and development of international law and its key concepts, principles and rules. The module will enable students to consider the relevance, or otherwise, of international law to contemporary international problems and to critically assess its limitations and effects.

MGPSS 709 Terrorism, Counterterrorism and (De)Radicalisation.

The module intends to enhance the conceptualization of ideological, strategic, and tactical idiosyncrasy that is posed by global terrorism, radicalisation and counter-terrorism measures being implored in the 21st century in both spheres of the Globe to ensure the prevalence of peace.

MGPSS 710 Crisis Monitoring and Conflict Early Warning System

The module focuses on the concepts and practices of early warning mechanisms identification as a fundamental way of preventing violent conflicts in human society. Attention is also given towards the complexity of conflicts, the anticipation of conflict, the role of governmental and non-governmental organisations in intelligence gathering, early warning analysis and how to ensure an early response.

MGPSS 711 Transnational Organised Crime

The module focuses on the causes and occurrence of various forms of transnational organised crime, and the countermeasures that have been established by various states and regional Integration Blocs. The applicability of both State law and International Law in the combating of various criminal acts and analysing the socio-economic drivers of transitional organised crime.

MGPSS 712 Diplomacy and Global Governance

The module focuses on the importance of diplomacy, how diplomatic etiquettes have been used in Global governance in the attainment of peace, impending security threats and the International relations arena.

MGPSS 713 Dissertation

Students are expected to carry out research on a topic of their choice concerning pertinent issues in Global Peace and security under the guidance of a supervisor. The dissertation should have a maximum of 90 pages.