58勛圖

IR3042 Representations of Violence: Research Seminar

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Mon or Tue

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr J R McMullin

Dr J R McMullin
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr J McMullin

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module interrogates the nature of violence and associated representational dilemmas about how to approach and understand violence in research and practice. It explores cross-disciplinary theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of violence and violent conflict, applying these to specific case studies. It analyses problems associated with researching violence and conflict, including ethical considerations and challenges of field research. Students will produce an original case study of violence or violent conflict focused on a site or issue of their choice. In so doing, students will develop the critical research and writing skills required to approach major themes and concepts regarding violence and its societal, political, disciplinary, and research representations. Using a structured research seminar format, the module trains students to develop theoretical and methodological research frameworks that will augment their preparation for the IR Honours Dissertation.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Weekly Contact: 1 x 1-hr case study workshop (x11 weeks) and 1 x 2-hr seminar (x11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

267

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Analyse the causes, impacts, legacies, and continuities of violence from different theoretical, methodological, and conceptual perspectives, including mainstream and critical IR and conflict theory perspectives
  • Hone skills to critically analyse how violence and violent conflict are framed and represented in diverse contexts and by diverse media
  • Acquire case study research and writing skills, including how to design and develop theoretical and methodological frameworks for research enquiry into violence and violent conflict
  • Obtain detailed knowledge of one or more specific cases of violent conflict
  • Develop an understanding of the problems of researching violence related to ethical and representational dilemmas
  • Prepare for the Honours Dissertation in IR through training in case study research and writing skills.