Postgraduate Subject Leaflet

SCHOOL OF POLITICSAND INTERNATIONAL

RELATIONSCanterbury

The UK’s European university

Graduatestudy

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INTRODUCTION

The School of Politicsand InternationalRelations at Kent offersa dynamic environmentin which to study thisfascinating subject. Wecombine high-qualityteaching with cutting-edge research in asupportive environmentthat welcomes studentsfrom all over the world.

The School has grown significantlyin the last few years and nowhas 28 academic staff. It is a verycosmopolitan department, with stafforiginating from eight differentcountries, and well over half of allpostgraduate students in the Schoolcome from outside the UK.

World-leading researchThe size and strength of ouracademic body generates a vibrantresearch culture and has led us toachieve international excellence inmany areas of the discipline. Thisis reflected in the numerous booksand articles published, and in theexistence of three core researchgroups: Conflict, Security andHuman Rights; Comparative Politics;and Political and Social Theory.The School is also home to tworesearch centres: the ConflictAnalysis Research Centre andthe Centre for Federal Studies.

Dedicated andinspirational teachingThe School has a strongcommitment to excellence inteaching. All lectures and seminarsare informed by the latest researchand scholarship, and are given byfull-time academic staff who haveinternationally recognised expertisein their field. Our innovative teachingpractices have received nationalrecognition and we use a diverserange of teaching methods, fromlarge lectures to small groupdiscussions, simulation exercises,and class debates, and make useof technology to foster an activelearning environment.

Our programmes equip youwith the tools you need to conductresearch, solve problems,communicate effectively andtransfer skills to the workplace,which means our graduates are

always in high demand.

Flexible and innovativeprogrammesOur programmes are extremelyflexible and offer an exceptionallybroad module choice, reflecting theresearch interests of our staff. Weoffer 13 Master’s degrees, each ofwhich combines taught modulesand a dissertation. At least a third ofmodules on taught programmes areoptions that allow you to tailor yourown pathway. The majority of ourtaught programmes are also offeredin a two-year, 120 ECTS-creditformat and as Postgraduate

Diplomas – a nine-month,coursework-only format. Thisallows you to choose the formatmost appropriate for your individualcircumstances. In addition, someof our Master’s programmes areoffered in an International DoubleAward format, allowing you to spenda second year at one of our partnerinstitutions (see below) and obtaintwo Master’s degrees. Alternatively,you can take a two-year programmeand study at both Canterbury andBrussels. In addition to taughtprogrammes, we have the expertiseto provide research supervision ina wide range of topics across thediscipline.

Global outlook andpartnershipsFavoured by our strategic location– in the beautiful historic city ofCanterbury and yet within easyreach of London, Brussels and Paris– we pride ourselves on our globaloutlook. This is reflected in the widerange of international partnershipsand the fact that we are the onlypolitics and international relationsschool in the country with a campusin Brussels, which allows studentson some of our programmes tofollow part or their entire programmein Brussels. Agreements withpartner institutions in France,Germany, Poland, Russia and theUS enable us to offer Double Awardversions of the MAs in EuropeanGovernance, International Relations,Peace and Conflict Studies, andInternational Security and thePolitics of Terror, leading to theaward of two Master’s degrees.

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Funding and teachingopportunitiesThe postgraduate programmesoffered by the School enjoyrecognition from the main fundingbodies, notably for PhD degrees.International applicants can applyto a variety of funding schemessuch as the ‘Entente Cordiale’studentships, while UK and EUapplicants to Kent are eligible toapply for Economic and SocialResearch Council (ESRC) fundingunder the South-East ESRCDoctoral Training Centre (DTC)partnership. The James MadisonTrust offers a limited number ofbursaries for the MA in ComparativeFederalism and for researchdegrees in the field of federalstudies.

In addition, each year the Schooloffers research students a numberof teaching bursaries. Granted ona competitive basis, these bursariesnot only provide significant financialsupport but also offer theopportunity to acquire teachingexperience – a crucial requirementif you are planning an academiccareer.

Strong postgraduatecommunityThere is a strong and supportivepostgraduate academic communitywithin the School. Postgraduatesare encouraged to participate inthe extensive range of activitieswhich take place within the School,including our regular VisitingSpeaker Programme, wherebyacademics and practitioners are


invited to Kent to give publiclectures on key topics under publicdiscussion. Each year, ourpostgraduate students organisea conference which lends itself tothe wide range of research interestsacross the fields of politics andinternational relations within ourdepartment.

In addition to support from theSchool, you also have the supportof the Graduate School, whichprovides specialist academic andpersonal advice and guidancethroughout your studies, facilitatescross-disciplinary interaction andsocial networking, and co-ordinatestransferable skills training.

First-class postgraduatefacilitiesWe offer excellent postgraduatefacilities. The Templeman Libraryprovides extensive collections inpolitics and international relations,including over 35,000 books and180 current journal subscriptions.Online resources include e-books,online newspapers and access to

over 600 online politics journals. Allonline resources are available bothon and off campus. The Library alsohosts the European DocumentationCentre, with all official publicationsof the EU institutions, and aspecialised collection oninternational conflict. In addition,postgraduate research studentshave their own designated roomwith 12 computer terminals.

Brussels School ofInternational StudiesThe University of Kent’s campusin Brussels is home to the BrusselsSchool of International Studies(BSIS), which offers a range ofspecialist postgraduateprogrammes covering the spectrumof international affairs, includinginternational relations andinternational conflict and security.For further information on thedegree programmes in politicsand international relations availablein Brussels, visit www.kent.ac.uk/brussels

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This is a programme which presentslectures on topical issues rangingfrom technology to multimedia. Inaddition, there are also workshopsavailable on, for example, careerbuilding and I’ve attended oneson media awareness, interviewingand networking skills, and a classon body language. Theextracurricular activities availablehave all tied in very nicely withcareer building.

What are you planning todo next?I’m currently affiliated to mycountry’s foreign ministry so afterleaving Kent, I intend to take myexpertise back home. However, itdoesn’t have to stop at the foreignministry – my postgraduate trainingat Kent has bolstered myemployment prospects at majorinternational organisations such asthe UN and also the CommonwealthSecretariat. It has made me moreemployable and I feel far moreconfident now – it’s a secure feeling.

Valique Gomes is studyingfor an MA in InternationalRelations.

What attracted you tostudying InternationalRelations at Kent?I’m from the Caribbean island ofAntigua and Barbuda where wehave a small, vulnerable economy,which is quite susceptible toexternal forces. With this in mind,it became increasingly importantfor me to acquire the skillsnecessary to advocate for mycountry’s interests at not onlya regional level but also aninternational level, in multilateralfora such as the UN.

Kent was recommended to me byan alumnus of the University, whois currently employed by aninternational organisation. Whatappealed to me most about theSchool of Politics and InternationalRelations here was that the lecturersare actively researching in theirareas of interest, so I knew that I’dget the best possible training ininternational relations. Kent is rightup there with the best and you onlyhave to look at the overall successof the graduates of the School tosee that the track record isexcellent.

What’s been the highlightof your studies so far?I’ve had the opportunity to takea module in International PoliticalEconomy, an area in which I havea long-standing interest. This, in

turn, has informed my choice oftopic for my dissertation – I’mwriting a comparative case studyof the G8 and the G20.

How have you found theteaching?My lecturers are true authoritiesin their areas of interest and onresearch methods in general –they’re very informed about theirarea of study and how to go aboutthe research, which is extremelyimportant. And while the lecturersstand by their work, they alsoencourage us, the students, to bevery critical and to form our ownopinions; they’re not simplyimposing their views on us.

What about your fellowstudents?It’s a very international group.In the School, there are manycountries represented: China,Mauritius, several countries ofthe European Union and, of course,Trinidad and Tobago and Antiguaand Barbuda. As a result, youbecome more culturally aware.You foster a level of maturity thatyou would not be able to attainwithout exposing yourself todifferent cultures and people fromall walks of life.

What about the resourcesavailable at Kent?In addition to the academicresources available, I’ve made gooduse of all the workshops offered bythe Graduate School. The GlobalSkills Award stands out in particular.

STUDENT PROFILE

WORLD-LEADINGRESEARCHIn the most recent ResearchAssessment Exercise, Kent’sstaff were found to beengaged in research ofworld-class standing.


Politics and International Relationsis a particularly valuable and flexiblequalification that can open upexciting careers in many professionssuch as diplomacy, the civil service,European and internationalorganisations, NGOs, the mediaand in the commercial sector. Kentpostgraduates have a strong trackrecord in this respect, with manynow occupying top positions withemployers in the public and privatesectors.

Careers Advisory ServiceOur Careers Advisory Service canhelp you to plan for your future byproviding one-to-one advice at anystage in your postgraduate studies.It also provides online advice onemployability skills, career choicesand applications, and interviewskills.

Further informationFor more information on the careershelp we provide at Kent, visit ourEmployability web page atwww.kent.ac.uk/employability

development skills. The GraduateSchool also delivers the Global SkillsAward programme for studentsfollowing taught programmes ofstudy, which is specifically designedto consolidate your awareness ofcurrent global issues and improveyour employment prospects.

International opportunitiesMany of our postgraduateprogrammes offer you the chanceto study abroad for a term or a year.Those who choose to study abroadoften find that this provides avaluable opportunity for personaldevelopment and this extraexperience can enhance theirjob prospects.

Exciting career optionsKent has an excellent record forpostgraduate employment: over90% of our postgraduate studentswho graduated in 2010 found a jobor further study opportunity withinsix months. We constantly monitorhow well our programmes meet thedemands of today’s increasinglycompetitive and globalised jobmarket. A Master’s in the area of

A postgraduatequalification from Kentopens up a wealth ofcareer opportunities byproviding an impressiveportfolio of skills andspecialist knowledge.

As well as providing a first-rateacademic experience, we wantyou to be in a good position to facethe demands of a tough economicenvironment. Employers recognisethat a postgraduate qualificationdemonstrates a wide range ofskills. At Kent, we provide acomprehensive package of skillsdevelopment training programmes,careers advice, and volunteeringand paid work opportunities to helpenhance your career prospects.

Skills trainingDuring your programme, youacquire a high level of academicknowledge and specialist practicalskills. Kent also helps you to developkey transferable skills that areessential within the competitiveworld of postgraduate employment,such as the ability to adapt tochallenges, analyse complex real-world problems and develop originalideas that can be applied to allaspects of employment.

The Graduate SchoolThe Graduate School co-ordinatesthe Transferable Skills Trainingprogramme for research students,in which you can access a widerange of lectures and workshops.These provide training, personaldevelopment planning and career

IMPRESSIVE CAREERPROSPECTS

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GRADUATE PROFILE

What did you particularlyenjoy?The degree course was intense butalso highly enriching in the sensethat all the academic materials werecarefully organised. I never felt I waslacking any academic source. TheMaster’s in International Relationsoffered a mixture of taught coursesand research projects, all of whichprovided me with the opportunityto widen my knowledge andunderstanding of internationalpolitics and international relations.

Kent is very welcoming and theSchool of Politics and InternationalRelations provides a supportiveand friendly environment. Theacademics and the support staffare always ready to help. You canalso make use of the excellentextra-curricular services which helpyou with essay writing and othernecessary academic skills requiredof an MA course.

What are you doing now?Since leaving Kent, I’ve beenworking as a Senior Political Analystat the Canadian Embassy in Kabul.My job entails obtaining informationon political, economic,reconstruction and socialdevelopments in Afghanistan,as well as providing updatedinformation and analyses ofdomestic and foreign policy trends.I am also deeply involved inproviding advice, background andanalytical reports and briefings onthese subjects to the Embassy staff,including the CanadianAmbassador to Afghanistan.

Fawad Sediqi graduatedfrom Kent in 2009 withan MA in InternationalRelations. He is now aSenior Political Analyst atthe Canadian Embassy inKabul.

Why did you choose Kent?Kent is one of the leadinguniversities in the UK and offersinternationally recognisedqualifications. It has a friendly andvibrant campus with superb facilitiesand services. There are studentsfrom all over the world at theUniversity. This creates a unique,multicultural and highlycosmopolitan atmosphere to study,enabling you to make friends withstudents from a wide range ofcountries. The University also offersexcellent teaching and world-classresearch with an up-to-date andwell-equipped library, which wasparticularly important for me.

What attracted you to thecourse?Undertaking a Master’s degreein International Relations was along-standing ambition. The courseat Kent offered flexible modules anda wide range of options that met myinterests and educational needs.What attracted me to the Universitymost was the lively learningenvironment in which differentteaching methods, such asseminars, presentations andlectures, are brought together toform a well-rounded educationalapproach.

I regularly meet with membersof think-tank organisations,independent political analysts,civil society members, leadersof political parties, members ofParliament and other prominentfigures, enabling me to produceinformed analyses and reports.I also undertake comprehensiveresearch on different political, socialand development topics.

How have your studies atKent helped you in yourcurrent role?My studies have helped meimmensely – I am able to do myjob independently and with fullconfidence. In particular, I now havea better understanding of othercountries’ political situations and thecontemporary international system,especially when it comes to post-conflict countries.

My future plans are not only to be ofhelp to my own country and work indifferent capacities where I am ableto use my expertise to contributetowards a better governancesystem, but also to help cope withthe recovery process of other war-torn societies/communities.

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IMPRESSIVECAREERPROSPECTSKent has an excellent recordfor postgraduate employment:over 90% of our postgraduatestudents who graduated in2010 found a job or furtherstudy opportunity within sixmonths.


Union. Its two core modules outlinethe crucial historical andphilosophical background tomodern federal principles thatunderpin the constitutional, politicaland socio-economic bases ofcomparative federal politicalsystems. We encourage you to think‘comparatively’ and to extend theapplication of federal principlesbeyond established federations toinclude areas of the world – such asIraq, Indonesia, Cyprus, Sudan andSri Lanka – where they couldpromote conflict prevention as wellas conflict management.

Course content• Comparative Federal Systems• Federalism and Federal PoliticalSystems

• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations

• Three optional modules• Dissertation

European GovernancePDip, MAThe European Union profoundlyshapes the way politics anddemocracy work in Europe andis an influential actor on theinternational stage. The EuropeanGovernance programme isdesigned to provide an advancedunderstanding of the EU to thosewilling to deepen their knowledgeand to prepare for a wide range ofcareers in European affairs. It drawsfrom modules in politics,international relations, law andsociology, and focuses on theconstitutional design, the process

credits. For the MAs in InternationalConflict Analysis and InternationalRelations (two-year, 120 ECTS-creditformat), you have the option to studyfor one year at our prestigiousBrussels campus. We also offerDouble Award versions of the MAsin European Governance,International Relations and Peaceand Conflict Studies, which enableyou to spend a year at a partnerUniversity and obtain two Master’sdegrees. From 2012, we will also beoffering a Double Award version ofthe MA in International Security andthe Politics of Terror.

Comparative FederalismPDip, MAThis programme provides a basisfor advanced studies in comparativefederalism by focusing on the US,Canada, Nigeria, Germany,Switzerland and the European

There is a range of taughtprogrammes on offer, soyou can choose the degreethat reflects yourinterests. Below is anexplanation of what thedifferent degreeprogrammes offer.

For all of our MA programmes(excluding International DoubleAward versions), you have theoption to study full-time over 12months, or part-time, typically overtwo years. Many of our programmesare also offered in a two-year, 120ECTS-credit format, comprising ninetaught modules followed by adissertation, and as a PostgraduateDiploma, which entails the sametaught curriculum as the MA butdoes not require a dissertation andis therefore worth 120 (60 ECTS)

TAUGHT PROGRAMMES

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of decision-making, public policy,and the role of the EU in the world.

The programme blends academicanalysis and practical application,making the study of the EU relevantto the challenges the enlargedEuropean Union faces in the 21stcentury. The School is a prominentcentre for studies on Europe and ithosts the Centre for Federal Studies,a leading international researchcentre.

Course content• Decision-making in the EuropeanUnion

• European Public Policy• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations


European Governance MA(International DoubleAward)This version of the EuropeanGovernance programme offersthe opportunity to study at twoinstitutions in two different countriesand obtain two Master’s degrees.You spend the first year at Kent andthe second year at one of ourpartner institutions in Grenoble orKrakow. Successful completion ofthe programme leads to the awardof the MA in European Governance(IDA) and either the MasterGouvernance Européenne del’Institut d’Etudes Politiques deGrenoble or the Master in EuropeanStudies of the JagiellonianUniversity of Krakow.

International ConflictAnalysis PDip, MAConflict, in its many forms, hasbeen a permanent feature of humansociety. Finding ways to pursueit constructively rather thandestructively requires a carefulanalysis of the roots of conflict,and a knowledge of effective waysto channel conflict into legitimateprocedures and agreed outcomes.

This MA aims to help youunderstand conflicts in their context,whether they are environmental,ethnic, political or internationaldisputes, and whether they takeviolent or non-violent forms.

The purpose of this programmeis to prepare actors, be they stategovernments, internationalorganisations or individuals, tobetter manage conflict peacefully

Studying at Grenoble requiresadvanced knowledge of French –typically at Diplôme Approfondi deLangue Française (DALF) level –while modules in Krakow are taughtin English.

Course contentFirst year• Decision-making in the EuropeanUnion

• European Public Policy• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations

• Three optional modules takenat Kent

Second year• Modules taken at Grenoble orKrakow

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TAUGHT PROGRAMMES (CONT)


and to prevent it. It examinesthe major theories and leadingpractices of conflict and conflictresolution in international affairs,supplementing theory with detailedcase studies. Topics includenegotiation, mediation, conferencediplomacy, third party intervention,restorative justice, peacekeeping,peacemaking and coercivediplomacy.

Course content• Theories of Conflict and Violence• Conflict Resolution in WorldPolitics



This programme is also offered as atwo-year MA with one year spent inBrussels (worth 120 ECTS).

International RelationsPDip, MAThis programme considerscontemporary questions ininternational relations theory andpractice. The accent is on criticalconsideration of traditionalapproaches to the discipline. Inthe post-Cold War globalising world,there is an increasingly apparentneed for ever-more sophisticatedways of understanding the dramaticchanges taking place. Thisprogramme addresses that need.

By way of coursework anddissertation, the MA programmeprovides you with advanced training

Course contentFirst year• International Relations Theory• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations

• Four optional modules takenat Kent

Second year• Modules at the Higher Schoolof Economics, Moscow

• Dissertation

International Relations andEuropean Studies PDip,MAThe raison d’être of this MA isa unique opportunity to combinea solid grounding in internationalrelations with more detailedanalyses of the current issuesin Europe. The broad aims areto provide conceptual maps ofthe two disciplines, examining majortheories and investigating both theproblems raised by the study of thetwo subjects and those arising outof their interrelations.

In International Relations, the aimis to look at both traditionalapproaches and contemporarydevelopments in internationalrelations theory, including criticaltheory, normative theories andfeminist views of the discipline.

In European Studies, the focus is onthe rapidly evolving body of theoriesthat draw on comparative politics aswell as international relations, inorder to explain the specialproblems of European integration

in the general methods, scope,theories and findings in the field ofinternational relations. It builds on anundergraduate specialisation in thefield of international relations or asimilar discipline, and gives asystematic preparation for originalpostgraduate research or for ademanding international career.

It also constitutes a programmeof training for those who havegraduated in other fields and wishto transfer to international relations.

Course content• International Relations Theory• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations

• Four optional modules• Dissertation

This programme is also offered asa two-year MA with one year spentin Brussels (worth 120 ECTS).

International Relations MA(International DoubleAward)This version of the InternationalRelations programme provides youwith the opportunity to study bothat the University of Kent and at theprestigious Higher School ofEconomics in Moscow and to obtaintwo Master’s degrees. You spendthe first year in Kent, the secondin Moscow. Knowledge of theRussian language is not required,as courses in Moscow are taughtin English with the option to takeRussian language courses.

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in general and the European Unionin particular. The two are linked bythe stress placed on the EU as aninternational actor.

Course content• International Relations Theory• Decision-making in the EuropeanUnion



International Relationswith International LawPDip, MADespite their close relationship,international law and internationalrelations have traditionally beentaught as discrete subjects. Thisprogramme is based on arecognition of the need to alloweach discipline to be informed by

those involved with, or hoping towork for, international organisations,non-governmental organisations,foreign affairs departments andinternational law firms.

Course content• International Relations Theory• Public International Law• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations

• Three optional modules: two fromPolitics and InternationalRelations, one from Law

• Dissertation

International Security andthe Politics of Terror PDip,MAThis programme provides youwith a research-active learningenvironment, giving you a goodgrounding in the study of thecontending approaches and issuesin international security and thechallenges to national security in theage of terror. It examines how state,non-state and supra-national actorsbehave and interact in managing orcausing threats to internationalsecurity and peace. It is the first MAof its kind to offer two core modulesthat explore the emerging synergybetween national and internationalsecurity.

Topics such as the use of non-military tools to combat terrorism,the infringement of civil liberties,and the application of contendingapproaches to security studies tocurrent issues (such as non-proliferation, the changing nature

the other, and covers the generalmethods, scope and theories ofinternational relations andinternational law.

The objective of the programme isto develop a critical considerationof traditional approaches to thediscipline of international relations.In post-Cold War globalisation,there is an increasingly apparentneed for ever-more sophisticatedways of understanding the dramaticchanges taking place.

This programme allows you toconsider the role, potential andlimitations of public international lawin international affairs. For some,this will enable an undergraduatespecialisation to be developed. Forothers, it will enable knowledge ofother fields to be applied tointernational relations. Theprogramme’s interdisciplinaryapproach is particularly suited to

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Peace and Conflict StudiesMA (International DoubleAward)This programme provides you withthe opportunity to study both at theUniversity of Kent and at theUniversity of Marburg, and to obtaintwo Master’s degrees. You can optto spend the first year in Canterburyand the second year in Marburgwhere courses will be taught inEnglish. Alternatively, fluent Germanspeakers can opt to spend the firstyear in Marburg where courses willbe taught in German, and spend thesecond year in Canterbury.

Course content

First year• Theories of Conflict and Violence• Conflict Resolution in WorldPolitics


• Three optional modules

Second year• Modules at the University ofMarburg

• Dissertation

of intelligence agencies and energysecurity) are taught and discussedin an interactive learningenvironment. A double award ofthis programme with Virginia TechUniversity’s Alexandria campus nearWashington DC will be running fromSeptember 2012 onwards. Forfurther information, please contactDr Gülnur Aybet([email protected])

Course content• International Security ina Changing World

• Terrorism and National Security• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations



TAUGHT PROGRAMMES (CONT)

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Politics PDip, MAThe MA in Politics provides youwith a research-active teachingenvironment and a good groundingin advanced politics training. Key tothe programme is its flexibility. Thereis only one core module: Philosophyand Methodology of Politics andInternational Relations. You thenchoose five other modules from awide range of MA options and cantherefore tailor your degree to suityour interests.

Course content• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations

• Five optional modules• Dissertation

Security and TerrorismPDip, MAThe programme in Security andTerrorism offers you the opportunityto study the subject from theperspectives of various differentdisciplines within the socialsciences, including internationalrelations, sociology and criminology.This means that you benefit from theresearch and teaching activities ofthe School of Social Policy,Sociology and Social Research, aswell as the School of Politics andInternational Relations. You explore

the phenomena of terrorism andpolitical violence as perpetrated byboth state and non-state actors, theimplications of these for the securityof individuals, societies, states andthe international system, as well asthe measures taken by states todeter terrorism and politicalviolence. You are introduced totheories from across the socialsciences that help us betterunderstand these phenomena.

The teaching on the programmetakes a variety of forms, includinglectures, seminars, groupdiscussion and more innovativeformats, including simulatedtribunals, special commissions andparliamentary-style debates.

Course content• Terrorism and Modern Society• Terrorism and National Security• Philosophy and Methodologyof Politics and InternationalRelations


Political Theory andPractices of ResistancePDip, MAThis MA explores the theme ofresistance in political theory. Itexamines how this theme hasfeatured in the history of politicalideas, from Plato to Badiou. It alsoinvestigates past and presentpractices of resistance in a widerange of activities including art, film,poetry and fiction. By linking theoryto practice and focusing on a corethematic, this MA develops aninnovative approach to politicalthought encompassing historical,conceptual and practicalknowledge. The core modulesprovide a strong grounding intheories and practices ofresistance, and the MA offersstudents the opportunity to do anassessed practical performance.

Course content• Resistance in Theory• Resistance in Practice• Philosophy and Methodology ofPolitics and InternationalRelations

• Three optional modules whichmight include specialist modulesin Resistance and the Politics ofTruth, and Resistance andAlternatives to Capitalism andDemocracy.

• Dissertation


KENT GRADUATESCHOOLBased on the Canterburycampus, the Graduate Schoolis a University-wide resourceavailable to all postgraduatestudents.


nations, cultures – rather than‘things’, this module assumesthat politics students ought to bereflective about their research. Itprovides an opportunity forreflection by presenting some of thekey theoretical and methodologicaldebates in political science. Thesedebates deal with issues such asthe nature of justification in socialand political enquiry, the distinctionbetween causal explanation andinterpretative understanding, therole of ‘language’ in social enquiry,the historical and philosophicalmeaning of ‘science’, and theimportance of ethical and normativequestions in social and politicalscience.

Theories of Conflict andViolenceConvenor: Dr Neophytos LoizidesModule code: PO828

This module examines how conflictresearch has evolved within the fieldof political science. It initiallyinvestigates competing theories onconflict and violence, reviewingspecific case studies and newsecurity concerns. The theoreticalreflections focus on differentaspects of conflict, from inter-stateto intra-state. In each instance,various and contested concepts arediscussed and analysed through anexamination of social and politicaltheory. The second part of themodule looks at specific casestudies and new security/strategicchallenges facing the internationalcommunity.

International RelationsTheoryConvenor: Dr Jonathan JosephModule code: PO824

This module introduces a rangeof theoretical approaches (orframeworks) to the study ofinternational relations. It starts withthe early work within the disciplineand the rise to predominance of therealist and neo-realist approaches.At the same time, it questionswhether international relationstheorists can be so easily placedinto such schools or traditions.Having established some of thehistorical background, this modulethen concerns itself with the lastsuch debate and the rise ofcontemporary approaches underthe ‘post-positivist’ umbrella. Themodule looks at the competingclaims of constructivism, post-structuralism and critical theoryas well as considering thechallenges posed by Marxist,feminist and normative approaches.

Philosophy andMethodology of Politicsand International RelationsConvenor: Dr Jonathan JosephModule code: PO825

Students of politics “have not been,in general, sufficiently reflectiveabout the nature and scope of theirdiscipline. They just do it rather thantalk about it’’. (G Stoker)

Given that political scientists studypeople – individuals, groups, states,

Below is a list of modulescurrently offered. Pleasenote that some modulesmay not be available in aparticular year. For thisreason, minor adjustmentsto programme structuremay, at times, benecessary. For up-to-dateinformation, pleaserefer to our website(www.kent.ac.uk/politics/postgraduates/modules/index.html)

Resistance andAlternatives to Capitalismand DemocracyConvenor: Dr Adrian PabstModule code: PO817

This module is situated at theinterface of political theory andpolitical economy. It seeks to explorethe complex and multifaceted linksbetween democracy and capitalismin the period from 1848 to thepresent day. The particular focusis on relations between the stateand the market as well as theevolution of different democraticregimes and market economies.Similar emphasis is placed onconceptual issues and empiricalevidence (though no statistical oreconometric skills are required).

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Conflict Resolution inWorld PoliticsConvenor: Professor Hugh MiallModule code: PO832

The module seeks to develop anawareness that change and conflictare endemic in global society at alllevels. It explores the different waysin which actors have sought toresolve that conflict. A vital factoris an examination of the conditionsunder which change is accepted,and those in which it is resisted,since this has fundamentalconsequences for the outcome ofattempts at conflict resolution. Thismodule instils an appreciation ofthe relationship of theories ofinternational relations to theprocesses of conflict resolution. Itgives an understanding of the rangeof possible reactions to attempts atconflict resolution. This providesinsights into the bases upon whichoutcomes of war and peace occurin global society. You relate the

can be evaluated from a moralperspective. Following an analysisof several representative theoreticalapproaches to ethics andinternational justice (includingthe work of communitarian,cosmopolitan and postmodernthinkers), you examine ethics inthe context of a number of issuesand practices in internationalrelations (such as war, humanitarianintervention, terrorism, war crimes,global inequality and the promotionof human rights). Theoreticalconcerns relevant to these issuesare also applied to specific casestudies. Throughout the module, youcritically assess the role of the state,international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Negotiation and MediationConvenor:Mr Govinda ClaytonModule code: PO848

The module focuses primarilyon the practical as well as on thetheoretical aspects of negotiationand mediation, or more broadlythird party intervention in conflicts.It gives you an overview of the mainproblems involved in negotiationand mediation (broadly defined).You also have the opportunity towork individually and in groups oncase studies and material relatedto the resolution of conflicts.

The negotiation section of thecourse is designed to teachpractical negotiating skills, andis mainly taught using the HarvardNegotiation Project method. Thisis based on the premise thatindividuals can and do impact

conceptual frameworksin international relations to thephenomenon of conflict andconflict resolution. You analysecontemporary phenomena throughthe lenses of these approachesand their assumptions, and to judgetheir relative efficacies in both theshort and long term. You becomeaware of the fundamental valuechoices and political dispositionsthat frame responses to conflict andthe likely outcome of such differentresponses.

Ethics in InternationalRelationsConvenor: Dr Andrea den BoerModule code: PO839

This module explores the meaningof morality and justice ininternational politics. It is structuredaround questions of the relevanceof ethical considerations ininternational politics and the extentto which international practices

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questions of the universality ofhuman rights, and the sources ofrights and rights violations. You lookat the impact of the nation-statesystem, governments and otherinstitutions, domestic and foreignpolicies, the wide variety of political,civil, economic, social and culturalrights warranting protection. Youalso investigate the various attemptsto redress past abuses through truthcommissions and war crimestribunals. You pay particularattention to the construction of theinternational human rights regimeand the socialisation of internationalhuman rights norms into domesticpractice.

Federalism and FederalPolitical SystemsConvenor: Professor MichaelBurgessModule code: PO866

The focus of this module is thestudy of federalism and federalpolitical systems. It introducesyou to the main theoretical and

methodological approachesto the subject and addresses theconceptual distinction betweenfederalism and federation,encouraging you to explore thestrengths and weaknesses inherentin the distinction. Analysis of theconceptual basis of federal systemsis followed by a detailedexamination of the origins,formation, evolution and operationof the major federations that spantwo distinct federal traditions: theAnglo-American and the ContinentalEuropean.

The federations examined are theUS, Canada, Australia, Germanyand Switzerland. You are expectedto appreciate the historicalspecificity of each case study andto grapple with the subtleties andcomplexities inherent in the peculiarcircumstances of the origins,formation and evolution of eachfederation. The module concludeswith a brief look at the Britishtradition of federalism and a moredetailed analysis of federalism andthe European Union.

upon the outcome of internationalnegotiations, which should not justbe thought of in the abstract asbetween “governments” or “parties”or “businesses”. As well asdiscussing useful tools, you have anopportunity in class to make use ofthese tools in role plays and shortwritten assignments. The emphasisis very much on learning throughpractical experience. The secondsection of the module concentrateson third party intervention ininternational conflicts and, inparticular, on mediation andproblem-solving techniques. Thisalso gives you experience ofworking in small groups on apractical issue in the area of thirdparty problem solving by examiningone case in depth through asimulation exercise.

Human Rights in a Worldof StatesConvenor: Dr Andrea den BoerModule code: PO859

Emerging from the ashes ofthe Second World War and theHolocaust, human rights havebecome a critical part ofinternational law and diplomacy.This module provides an overviewof issues central to the theory andpractice of human rights ininternational politics. You considerthe political, philosophical,historical, economic and legalfoundations of international humanrights concepts, includingideological and cultural origins,contemporary debates surrounding


TAUGHT MODULES (CONT)

17

and analyses their interactionfrom a theoretical, empirical andnormative perspective. At thetheoretical level, the modulefamiliarises you with competingapproaches to key aspects ofdecision-making, such aspreference formation, coalitionformation, bargaining, policyimplementation, and delegationand accountability. At the empiricallevel, it applies these theories tothe decision-making process ofthe European Union, such aspreference formation at the statelevel, coalition bargaining in theCouncil, legislative bargainingbetween Commission, Counciland Parliament, and policyimplementation by state andregions. At the normative level, itevaluates these issues against keynormative principles and relatesthem to the debate on institutionalreform of the European Union, withparticular attention to questions oflegitimacy and accountability.

European Public PolicyConvenor: Dr Jane O’MahonyModule code: PO886

The focus of this module is theEuropean Union as a system ofpublic policymaking and thepolicies it produces. It adopts ananalytical approach to the studyof European Union governance.The core aim, therefore, is tocombine the theory and practiceof EU policymaking. The modulefamiliarises you with differenttheoretical explanations of

policymaking in the EuropeanUnion, at both the national andsupranational level. This theoreticalapproach is then complemented bythe examination of various instancesof policymaking in practice at thenational and EU levels. Theempirical examination of the policycases, in combination with thetheoretical approach adoptedin this module, enables you to derivegeneralisable conclusions as tothe nature of public policymakingin the EU.

American Foreign PolicyConvenor: Dr Doug StokesModule code: PO913

This module examines advanceddebates as to the specific role thatthe American state has played inthe construction of world order.You cover different debates andtheoretical explanations of USforeign policy. You also exploreand utilise cutting-edge debatesand contemporary problems suchas: the war in Iraq and deeperconcepts about American powerin the age of terror; the role ofmultilateralism and whether it is stillviable; state and non-state terrorism;human rights and Americanintervention; and debates as to thenature of American ‘Empire’ andhegemony in the 21st century. Inparticular, the module develops acritical awareness of the structuralcontexts of American decision-making and the key roles that theAmerican state has played in bothfashioning and undermining theliberal international order.

Comparative FederalPolitical SystemsConvenor: Professor MichaelBurgessModule code: PO867

This module examines some ofthe major federal political systemsfrom a number of comparativeperspectives. It builds upon thelearning outcomes of the previousmodule, Federalism and FederalPolitical Systems, so that you think‘comparatively’. The module beginswith a general discussion of themain comparative issues anddevelops into a comparative studyof the federal political systems ofthe US, Canada, Australia, Germanyand Switzerland via an analysis oftheir origins, formation andstructure, their overall patternsof evolution, their institutionalsimilarities and differences, andtheir general adaptability. Particularattention is paid to the interaction ofsocial and economic conditions andthe political institutions, with a viewto the overall effectiveness of thesefive federal political systems.

Decision-making in theEuropean UnionConvenor: Dr Paolo DardanelliModule code: PO885

This module provides an advancedunderstanding of the decision-making process in the EuropeanUnion across its three main levels ofgovernance: Union, states andregions. It focuses on the keyinstitutions involved in the process


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the Latin American National SecurityStates; Northern Ireland; Israel-Palestine; responses to 9/11 in theUS and UK and the consequencesfor civil liberties; intelligence in the‘War on Terror’; terrorism and foreignpolicy – the case of Spain; andextraordinary rendition. The subjectsstudied are situated within thebroader context of internationalrelations and security theory, andare related to the ethical and legalchallenges that terrorism andcounter-terrorism pose.

International PoliticalEconomy: Conflict,Co-operation andInstitutionsConvenor: Dr Frank GrundigModule code: PO920

This module explores issues ininternational political economywith an emphasis on conflict,co-operation and governancein a number of areas. You areintroduced to the basic economicconcepts in order to pursueadvanced issues in internationalpolitical economy such as traderelations, monetary relations,investment flows and competition,and trade and conflict. The modulediscusses attempts to provideinternational governance in someof those areas and engages withthe conceptual debate on how toassess whether institutionalsolutions have (significant) effectsor not.

Designing DemocracyConvenors: Dr Ben Seyd andProfessor Richard SakwaModule code: PO926

One of the most prominent politicaltrends of the 20th century was theglobal expansion of democracy.Over the last one hundred years,the number of countries labelled‘democratic’ has quadrupled,concentrated in successive ‘waves’of democracy. This moduleexamines the reasons for, andprocesses by which, countries movefrom authoritarian conditions to thestatus of a democracy. It considersthe meaning and measurement ofdemocracy and the nature ofdemocratic transitions. You examinethe evidence, drawn from a largecomparative literature, on the factors– social, cultural, political andeconomic – that underpin the globalshift to democracy. You alsoconsider how far the trend towardsdemocracy might recently havecome to an end, manifested in thegrowing number of countries thathave not moved beyond partialdemocracy or even reverted backto authoritarianism.

Resistance in TheoryConvenor: Dr Adrian PabstModule code: PO937

This module addresses therelationship between theories andpractices of resistance from theperspective of theory. As such, itfocuses on specific ideas andmodels that conceptualise and

International Securityin a Changing WorldConvenor: Dr Gülnur AybetModule code: PO916

The purpose of this module isto develop an understanding ofthe changing nature of internationalsecurity studies. You explore thevarious contending approachesto international security fromclassical strategic thought to thelaws of war, and place them withincontemporary issues in internationalsecurity such as post-conflictreconstruction, peacebuilding,non-proliferation, the changingnature of intelligence agenciesand energy security.

Terrorism and NationalSecurityConvenor: Dr Ruth BlakeleyModule code: PO917

This module develops anunderstanding of the complexrelationships between terrorism,counter-terrorism, human rightsand civil liberties, both at homeand abroad. It provides you with ananalysis of the different approachesto terrorism, including conventionalterrorism studies, critical terrorismstudies and policy-levelapproaches. It also comprises workon the competing definitions of, andtheoretical approaches to, terrorism,state terrorism and security. Themodule includes case studies on:


TAUGHT MODULES (CONT)

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of resistance are examined – theSolidarity movement in Poland forexample – but the module alsoconsiders particular local practicesof resistance by way of structuredconversations with film-makers,visual artists and NGO workers.In this way, the module looks toconnect different modalities ofresistance from the perspective ofthe varying practices they employ.

DissertationModule code: PO998

This is an extended essay thatforms a major assessed elementof the MA programmes. Thedissertation must be on a topicrelevant to the MA, as proposed byyou and approved by the academicstaff. It is conceived as that part ofthe degree programme where youhave considerable leeway to followyour own particular interests, withguidance from staff. Supervisionof work on the dissertation isconcentrated in the second halfof the academic year. Originalityis not a requirement of a Master’sdissertation, but some dissertationsachieve a very high standard andseveral have been published.

theorise resistance to politicalauthority with a view to examiningthe following: the philosophicaland political bases of resistance;the presuppositions that underpintheories of resistance; the appeal toalternative ideas and arrangements;and the tensions and possiblecontradictions that characterisesuch theories. In the first part of themodule, the theme of resistance isexplored in the history of politicalideas, from Plato via patristic,medieval and modern thinkers tocontemporary writings such asthose of Alain Badiou. In the secondpart, the theme of resistance isrelated to different conceptions ofthe political and rival accounts ofalternative arrangements to theprevailing order. As such, thismodule provides a strong groundingin theories of resistance thatprepares you for the second coremodule on practices of resistance.

Resistance in PracticeConvenor: Dr Stefan RossbachModule code: PO936

This module addresses therelationship between theories andpractices of resistance from theperspective of practice. As such,it focuses on specific instances ofresistance to political authority witha view to examining the following:the techniques of resistanceemployed; the presuppositions thatunderpinned these techniques; andthe tensions and difficulties thatarise in any act of resistance. In thefirst instance, well known moments


“I enjoy the structure of theprogramme and I’ve beenimpressed by my moduleconvenors. They all havesomething to add andencourage us to take a criticalapproach to our studies.”

Rebecca Sangster-KellyMA International Relations

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RESEARCH DEGREES

The School has a longtradition of high-qualityresearch among its staffand students. The School’svibrant research cultureattracts staff and studentsfrom all over the world,who conduct research atthe forefront of ourdiscipline. The breadthof expertise within theSchool enables us toprovide researchsupervision on a verywide range of topicsacross politics andinternational relations.

Research students can specialisein one of the following three areas:• International Conflict Analysis• International Relations• Politics and Government.

Our research programmes areoffered in different formats, but theunderlying principle is always thesame: as a research student, youwork on a topic of your choiceunder the guidance of a supervisoror supervisory team and producea thesis which is submitted forassessment.

Master of Arts byResearch and Thesis(MA-R)This programme, which can betaken on a one-year full-time basisor over two years part-time, is theshortest research degree available.You are expected to research and

write a thesis of up to 40,000 words,which demonstrates your ability toconduct an independent study andto understand its relationship to awider field of study.

Master of Philosophy(MPhil)The MPhil is a two-year full-timeor three-year part-time programme.You are expected to research andwrite a thesis of up to 56,000 words.A successful MPhil thesis must meetthe same criteria as the thesis forthe MA by Research and Thesis. Inaddition, it must normally provide amore comprehensive and thoroughoverview of the relevant area ofresearch. As an MPhil student, youare also expected to reach a higherdegree of specialisation in yourresearch.

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)remains the flagship programmeamong our research degrees andis available as either a three-yearfull-time or five-year part-timeprogramme. You are expectedto research and write a thesis ofbetween 80,000 and 100,000 words,which makes an original contributionto the field under investigation andis of a publishable standard.

Choosing a research topicEach research project is unique,requiring specialised and individualsupervision of the studentconcerned. Because of theimportance of expert supervision,we accept applications only where

it is clear that appropriatesupervision can be provided. Fordetails on how to write a goodresearch proposal, see the relevantpages in our PostgraduateResearch Handbook atwww.kent.ac.uk/politics/postgraduates/research-programmes/pgrhandbook.pdf

SupervisionSupervisors give guidance on thenature of research and the standardof work expected, and on relevantliterature and sources, as well as themechanics of undertaking research,including fieldwork, and thepreparation of the written thesis.You are required to meet yoursupervisors regularly, to agree upona schedule of work and to producehigh-quality written work forcomment. Our PostgraduateResearch Handbook explains inmore detail how the supervisor-supervisee relationship is structuredand what supervisor andsupervisee can expect from eachother.

Research strengthsThe following research groupsbring together several researchersand constitute areas of particularstrength for research purposesin the School.

Conflict, Security and HumanRights Research GroupThe Conflict, Security and HumanRights Research Group bringstogether a number of researcherswithin the School who study thenature and role of conflict in political


21

the context of politics in particularcountries. The work of the groupaddresses both positive (how canwe describe and explain domestic-level politics) and normative (howshould politics be organised), andcombines both theory developmentand empirical analysis. Researchfalls into five broad areas:constitutional design and change;political institutions; politicalbehaviour, attitudes and identities;democracy (including humanrights); and policy implementationand analysis.

The Group draws on a wide rangeof regional expertise: the EU andthe European states (especiallyBelgium, Ireland, Italy, Spain,Switzerland and the UK), Russiaand Eastern Europe, the US,Canada, China and Japan. TheGroup contains within it the Centrefor Federal Studies, which is the onlyUK research unit devoted to the

study of federalism and aninternationally renowned memberof the International Association ofCentres for Federal Studies. TheCentre’s activities include regularworkshops on questions of federalgovernment as well as an annuallecture and research seminars andworkshops, and the Centre hostedthe 6th ECPR Summer School onFederalism and Regionalism in2011.

Political and Social TheoryResearch GroupPolitical and social theory at Kentoffers a unique blend of criticalperspectives on the nature of thepolitical. In the Anglophone world,political theory is dominated bymodern liberal justice theory,typically viewed as a subset ofmoral philosophy. We draw upona wide selection of resourcesfound within pre-, counter- andpostmodern forms of thought

life, the provision of and failure toprovide security in relation toconflict, and the place andcharacter of human rights in themidst of these challenges. Thekinds of questions that researcherswithin this group tackle include:what are the sources of conflictin both domestic and internationalpolitics, and how might conflict beameliorated? How does conflictgenerate political change andopportunity? How does conflictand security intersect with ourcontemporary understanding ofnorms, justice and rights? What kindof security is desirable andeffective, and who should provide it?

The Group hosts scholars whoapproach these questions froma rich variety of theoretical andmethodological perspectives. Thethemes that are studied within thisgroup cut across the disciplines ofpolitics, international relations andarea studies, with particular pointsof focus including globalgovernance, conflict analysis,critical security studies, strategicstudies, environmental politics andterrorism. The Group also containsthe School’s renowned ConflictAnalysis Research Centre.

Comparative Politics ResearchGroupThe work of scholars in theComparative Politics ResearchGroup at Kent draws upon toolsof political science to seek answersto both general questions about thecharacter and causes of domestic-level political outcomes and toenhance our understanding of


RESEARCH DEGREES (CONT)


with a view to challenging thisdominance. This is complementedby an interdisciplinary approachthat forges connections with politicaleconomy, sociology, theology,metaphysics, art and otherdisciplines. In short, political andsocial theory at Kent is focusedon the construction of a counter-narrative to the modern politicalproject that engenders aninterdisciplinary inquiry into thepolitical by exploring its connectionswith other domains.

There are many regular activitiesorganised by this group, includingthe annual Kent Lecture in Socialand Political Thought and a seminarseries on the same themes. OurWinter Workshop is also an annualevent: recent workshops examined‘The Real and the Political’ and ‘ThePassions and the Political’. TheGroup is also developing a streamof seminars on ‘art and the political’that will present work at the interfaceof aesthetic and political theory.

Research environmentOur research programmes providea combination of formal researchtraining and individual supervisionwithin a supportive environment,with regular interaction betweenstaff and students.

Research seminars andconferencesThe School runs a weekly GraduateResearch Training Seminar, wherestudents are encouraged to presenttheir work and receive feedback

working on their projects under thesupervision of a specialist inthe relevant research area. Allmembers of staff can supervisetheses leading to research degrees.

Research students also benefit fromthe skills training offered by theUniversity’s Graduate School – seewww.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool fordetails.

Postgraduate researchfacilities and resourcesPostgraduate research studentshave their own study area andcommon room. There is adesignated room with 12 computerterminals which is reserved forPolitics research students. As aresearch student, you are alsoeligible for a conference allowance.

Further informationWe encourage potential researchstudents to refer to our PostgraduateResearch Handbook for detailedinformation at www.kent.ac.uk/politics/postgraduates/research-programmes/pgrhandbook.pdf

from peers and staff. Training is alsooffered through the Seminar to helpprepare research students forcareers in academia. Such trainingincludes sessions on publishingacademic work, research ethics,effective presentations, undertakingfieldwork and surviving the PhDviva.

As a research student, you enjoyregular meetings with yoursupervisor and supervisory team,and are also given opportunitiesto collaborate with other membersof staff through the staff researchseminar and the activities of thethree research groups. Youare encouraged to participate inthe annual postgraduate researchconference, during which variousstaff members discuss the workof research students, and outsidespeakers offer plenary lectures.

You are also strongly encouragedto attend the staff research seminar,which is an exciting forum for theexchange of ideas betweenacademics within and beyondthe School on their most recentresearch and publications. TheVisiting Speaker Programmeprovides a further opportunity toengage with cutting-edge researchacross the discipline. You alsobenefit from access to the nationaland international research networksrelevant to your research.

Transferable skills trainingDuring the first year, all researchstudents receive training in researchmethods and practice, while also

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LOOKING FORFUNDING?For information onpostgraduate funding andscholarships available at Kent,see www.kent.ac.uk/pgfunding


www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/burgess.html

Mr Govinda ClaytonBA (Kent)

Lecturer in International ConflictAnalysis

Core expertiseInternational conflict and co-operation; mediation; negotiation,intra-state conflict and resolution;mathematical and statistical models,research design and methodology.

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/clayton.html

Dr Philip CunliffeBA (Oxford), PhD (King’s CollegeLondon)

Lecturer in International Conflict

Core expertiseIR theory; sovereignty;peacekeeping; liberalinterventionism; Marxism and criticaltheory; political theory; social theory.

Main publicationsThe Legacy of HumanitarianImperialism (forthcoming), CriticalPerspectives on the Responsibilityto Protect: Interrogating Theory andPractice (editor, 2011), Politicswithout Sovereignty: A Critique ofContemporary InternationalRelations (co-editor, 2007)

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/cunliffe.html

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/aybet.html

Dr Ruth BlakeleyBA (Bristol), MSc (Bristol), MRes(Bristol), PhD (Bristol)

Lecturer in International Relations

Core expertiseUS foreign policy; US-LatinAmerican relations; state terrorism;human rights.

Main publicationsState Terrorism and Neoliberalism:The North in the South (2009); ‘USTraining of Latin American MilitaryForces’, Third World Quarterly(2006); ‘Why Torture?’ Review ofInternational Studies (2007).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/blakeley.html

Professor Michael BurgessBA (Coventry), MA (Leicester),PhD (Leicester)

Professor of Federal Studies

Core expertiseFederal political theory andphilosophy; comparative federalism;Canadian constitutional politics;European integration.

Main publicationsFederalism and European Union(2000); Comparative Federalism:Theory and Practice (2005);Multinational Federations (co-editor,2007).

The School of Politicsand InternationalRelations now comprises28 academic staff. Amongthem are several scholarswho have helped shapethe discipline, andyounger colleagues whoseacademic reputationis rapidly rising.

Academic staffDr Gülnur AybetBA (Royal Holloway, London),MSc (Southampton), MPhil (King’sCollege London), PhD (Nottingham)

Senior Lecturer in InternationalRelations

Core expertiseInternational security; Europeansecurity; strategic thought;international organisationsparticularly NATO, post-conflictreconstruction in the Balkans; andTurkish foreign policy.

Main publicationsNATO in Search of a Vision (co-author, 2010); ‘NATO conditionalityin Bosnia and Herzegovina: DefenseReform and State Building’,Problems of Post Communism, 57(5) (2010); ‘Turkey and the EU Afterthe First Year of Negotiations:Reconciling Internal and ExternalPolicy Challenges’, SecurityDialogue, 37 (4) (2006); A EuropeanSecurity Architecture After the ColdWar (2000); The Dynamics ofEuropean Security Cooperation(2001).

ACADEMIC STAFF

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CONTINUED OVERLEAF

24

Dr Suzanne FranksMA (Oxon), PhD (Westminster)

Senior Lecturer in British Politicsand Political Communications

Core expertiseHumanitarian aid, developmentand media coverage; politicalcommunication; history ofbroadcasting; women in the media.

Main publicationsHaving None of it: Women, Men andthe Future of Work (1999); ‘Lackinga Clear Narrative: Foreign Reportingafter the Cold War’,What Can BeDone? Making the Media andPolitics Better (2006); ‘How FamineCaptured the Headlines’,MediaHistory (2006); ‘The Neglect ofAfrica and the Power of Aid:Transparency in Foreign NewsReporting’, InternationalCommunications Gazette(forthcoming).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/franks.html

Dr Frank GrundigMA (Essex), PhD (Essex)


Core expertisePower, interests and institutions;regime and rational actor theory;international environmental politics;hegemonic leadership.

Main publications‘Patterns of InternationalCo-operation and the ExplanatoryPower of Relative Gains: An

Analysis of Co-operation on GlobalClimate Change, Ozone Depletionand International Trade’,International Studies Quarterly50 (4) (2006).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/grundig.html

Dr Anne HammerstadBA (Oslo), MSc (LSE, London),DPhil (Oxon)


Core expertiseDisplacement and security;securitisation theory; the UNHCR;conflict and security in Africa.

Main publications‘Whose Security? UNHCR, RefugeeProtection and State Security Afterthe Cold War’, Security Dialogue 31(4) (2000); ‘Domestic Threats,Regional Solutions? The Challengeof Regional Security Integration inSouthern Africa’, Review ofInternational Studies 31 (1) (2005).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/hammerstad.html

Dr Sarah HydeBA (Sheffield), MA (Okayama), DPhil(Oxon), PGCHE (Kent)

Lecturer in Politics and InternationalRelations of East Asia

Core expertiseParty politics; electoral systems;participation, democracy; e-voting;Japanese politics.

Dr Paolo DardanelliLaurea (Turin), MA (Durham), PhD(LSE, London), PGCHE (Kent),FHEA

Lecturer in European andComparative Politics

Core expertiseComparative European politics;constitutional politics and decision-making in the EU; comparativefederalism and confederalism.

Main publicationsBetween Two Unions:Europeanisation and ScottishDevolution (2005); ‘Europeanizationas Heresthetics’, Party Politics, 15(1) (2009).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/dardanelli.html

Dr Andrea den BoerBA (Manitoba), MA (BrighamYoung), PhD (Kent)


Core expertiseHuman rights and ethics;international political theory;continental political philosophy;feminism.

Main publicationsBare Branches: The SecurityImplications of Asia’s Surplus MalePopulation (co-author, 2004).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/denboer.html


ACADEMIC STAFF (CONT)

25

Main publicationsHegemony: A Realist Analysis(2002); Social Theory: Conflict,Cohesion and Consent (2003);Marxism and Social Theory (2006).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/joseph.html

Dr Ersun KurtulusBA (Stockholm), PhD (Stockholm)

Lecturer in Middle Eastern Politics

Core expertiseState sovereignty; Lebanesepolitics; collapsed states;international relations of the MiddleEast; counter-terrorism.

Main publicationsState Sovereignty (2005); ‘TheNotion of a Pre-emptive War: TheSix-Day War Revisited’,Middle EastJournal, 61 (2) (2007); The CedarRevolution and LebaneseIndependence and the Questionof Collective Self-Determination(forthcoming).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/kurtulus.html

Dr Pak Kuen LeeBSocSc (East Asia, Macau), MPhil(Chinese, Hong Kong), PhD (NewSouth Wales)

Lecturer in Chinese Politics andInternational Relations/InternationalPolitical Economy

Main publications‘The Changing Japanese Left’, TheLeft in the Making of Modern Japan(2005).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/hyde.html

Dr Jonathan JosephBA (Swansea), PhD (Southampton)

Reader in Politics and InternationalRelations

Core expertiseIR theory; hegemony;governmentality; social cohesion;Marxism; critical theory; post-structuralism and philosophyof social science.


CONTINUED OVERLEAF


Main publicationsThe Idea of Pure Critique (2004);Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy(2009); Dramatizing the Political:Deleuze and Guattari (co-author,2011)

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/mackenzie.html

Professor Hugh MiallBA (Oxon), PhD (Lancaster)

Professor of International Relations

Core expertiseWar and peace; conflict preventionand conflict resolution;environmental security andinternational relations.

Main publicationsThe Peacemakers: PeacefulSettlement of International Disputessince 1945 (1992); EmergentConflict and Peaceful Change(2007); Contemporary ConflictResolution (2005).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/miall.html

Dr Edward Morgan-JonesBA (SSEES, London), MPhil(Oxford), DPhil (Oxford)

Lecturer in Comparative Politics

Core expertiseParliamentary and semi-presidentialregimes; Cabinet composition andtermination; West and EastEuropean Politics.

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/loizides.html

Dr Matthew LovelessBA (Auburn University), MA(University of Memphis), PhD(Indiana University)

Lecturer in Comparative Politics

Core expertiseComparative and European politics;political behaviour and attitudes.

Main publications‘Being Unequal and SeeingInequality: Explaining the PoliticalSignificance of Social Inequality inNew Market Democracies’,European Journal of PoliticalResearch (co-editor, 2011);‘Understanding Media Socializationin Democratizing Countries:Mobilization and Malaise in Centraland Eastern Europe’, ComparativePolitics (2010); ‘Macro-Salience:How Economic and PoliticalContexts Mediate PopularEvaluations of the DemocracyDeficit in the European Union’,Journal of Politics, 72 (4) (co-author,2010).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/loveless.html

Dr Iain MacKenzieMA (Glasgow), PhD (Glasgow)

Lecturer in Politics

Core expertiseCritical political theory andphilosophy.

Core expertiseChinese politics; non-traditionalsecurity threats in China (especiallyenergy security and public healthsecurity); China’s engagement withglobal governance.

Main publications‘China’s Quest for Oil Security: Oil(Wars) in the Pipeline?’, PacificReview (2005); Rethinking GlobalGovernance: A China Model in theMaking?’ Contemporary Politics(co-author, 2008); ‘China’sEnvironmental Governance: TheDomestic-International Nexus’, ThirdWorld Quarterly (co-author, 2008).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/lee.html

Dr Neophytos LoizidesBA (University of Pennsylvania), MA(Central European University), PhD(University of Toronto)


Core expertiseDivided societies, South-EastEurope; federalism andconsociationalism; refugee/settlerconflict resolution models;transitional justice.

Main publications‘Negotiating the Right of Return’,Journal of Peace Research (2009);‘The Way Home: Peaceful Return ofVictims of Ethnic Cleansing’, HumanRights Quarterly (2011); DelayingTruth Recovery for Missing Persons’,Nations and Nationalism (2011).


26


Main publicationsConstitutional Bargaining in Russia1990-1993: Institutions andUncertainty (2010); ‘Who’s inCharge? Presidents, Assemblies,and the Political Control ofSemipresidential Cabinets’,Comparative Political Studies,43 (11) (co-author, 2010);‘Constitutional Power andCompeting Risks: Monarchs,Presidents, Prime Ministers, andthe Termination of East and WestEuropean Cabinets’, AmericanPolitical Science Review, 103(co-author, 2009).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/morgan-jones.html

Dr Jane O’MahonyBA (Cork), MPhil (Cork), PhD (Trinity,Dublin)

Lecturer in European Politics

Core expertiseEuropean integration; EUpolicymaking; Europeanisation;Irish politics.

Main publications‘Managing Europe from an IrishPerspective’, Public Administration(2007); Ireland and the EuropeanUnion (co-author, 2008).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/omahony.html

Main publicationsGnostic Wars (1999); ‘Gnosis in EricVoegelin’s Philosophy’, The PoliticalScience Reviewer (2005);‘Understanding in Quest of Faith:The Central Problem in EricVoegelin’s Philosophy’, Politics andApocalypse (2007).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/rossbach.html

Professor Richard SakwaBA (LSE, London), PhD(Birmingham), AcSS

Professor of Russian and EuropeanPolitics, Head of School

Core expertiseRussian government and politics;communism and postcommunism;democratisation.

Main publicationsPutin: Russia’s Choice (2007);Russian Politics and Society (2008);The Quality of Democracy:Khodorkovsky, Putin and the YukosAffair (forthcoming).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/sakwa.html

Dr Ben SeydBA (Cantab), MSc (LSE, London),PhD (UCL, London)

Lecturer in British and ComparativePolitics

Dr Adrian PabstMA (Cantab), MSc (LSE), DEA(Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris[Sciences Po]), DUET (InstitutCatholique de Paris), MPhil(Cantab), PhD (Cantab), PGCHE(Kent)

Lecturer in Politics

Core expertiseThe complex links betweendemocracy, capitalism and religion,with a focus on sovereignty; geo-economics and geo-politics;European traditions of federalismand the import of Christian socialteaching.

Main publications‘The Crisis of Capitalist Democracy’,Telos, 152 (2010); The Crisis ofGlobal Capitalism. Pope BenedictXVI's social encyclical and thefuture of political economy (2011);Metaphysics: The Creation ofHierarchy (2011/2012).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/pabst.html

Dr Stefan RossbachDiplom (Bonn), PhD (EUI, Florence)

Senior Lecturer in Politics andInternational Relations

Core expertisePolitical theory and methodology;history of political philosophy;religion and politics.

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CONTINUED OVERLEAF



Core expertisePolitical institutions; electoralsystems; public attitudes to thestate; British politics.

Main publications‘Attitudes to Voting Rules andElectoral System Preferences:Evidence from the 1999 and 2003Scottish Parliament Elections’,Electoral Studies, 30 (1) (co-author,2011); Has Devolution Worked? TheVerdict From Policymakers and thePublic, Manchester University Press(co-editor, 2009); ‘Do MayoralElections Work? Evidence fromLondon’, Political Studies, 56 (3)(co-author, 2008)

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/seyd.html

Dr Doug StokesBA (London), MSc (Bristol), PhD(Bristol)

Senior Lecturer in InternationalRelations

Core expertiseUS foreign policy; internationalsecurity.

Main publicationsAmerica’s Other War (2005); USForeign Policy and the World (2008).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/stokes.html

Main publicationsThe European NeighbourhoodPolicy in Perspective: Context,Implementation and Impact (2010);Normative Power Europe: Empiricaland Theoretical Perspectives(2011); The European Unionas a Global Conflict Manager(forthcoming).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/whitman.html

Dr Andrew WroeBA (Leeds), MA (Essex), PhD(Essex)

Lecturer in American Politics

Core expertiseDirect democracy; trust in politics;immigration; race/ethnicity;American politics and government.

Main publicationsControversies in American Politicsand Society (co-author, 2002); TheRepublican Party and ImmigrationPolitics: From Proposition 187 toGeorge W Bush (2008); Assessingthe Bush Presidency: A Tale of TwoTerms (2009).

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/wroe.html

Dr Harmonie TorosBA (Sussex), MA (Bradford), PhD(Aberystwyth)


Core expertiseConflict resolution; conflicttransformation; terrorism studies.

Main publications‘Talking: A Potential Path toReconciliation in Mindanao’ inRenner and Spencer (eds),Reconciliation after Terrorism:Strategy, Possibility or Absurdity?(2011); ‘Terrorism and the Media:Interview with Fadi Ismail’, CriticalStudies on Terrorism (2009); ‘WeDon’t Negotiate with Terrorists!Legitimacy and Complexity inTerrorist Conflicts’, SecurityDialogue (2008)

www.kent.ac.uk/politics/about-us/staff/members/toros.html

Professor Richard WhitmanBA (Oxford Brookes), MA (UEA),PhD (Westminster), AcSS

Professor of Politics andInternational Relations

Core expertiseEuropean Union foreign andsecurity policy; EU member statesforeign policies; Europeanintegration processes.

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including 22 reading, 21 writing, 21listening and 23 speaking (internet-based) or, alternatively, you canprovide us with the CambridgeCertificate of Proficiency in Englishgrade C.

If you do not reach the requiredstandard, you can apply for oneof our pre-sessional courses. Forfurther information, please seewww.kent.ac.uk/cewl

Only English language tests takenup to a maximum of two years priorto the date of registration will beaccepted for admission to theUniversity. Please note that if youruniversity studies have beencompleted entirely in English, youmay be exempt from providing anEnglish test certificate. Pleasecontact the European Office orInternational Office for clarification(see www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/contact.html)

General entryrequirementsIf you wish to apply for a higherdegree, you must normally havea first or second class honoursdegree in a relevant or appropriatesubject, or the equivalent from aninternationally recognised institution(for more information onrequirements for internationalqualifications, visit www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/country)

English languageThe University requires all non-native speakers of English to reacha minimum standard of proficiencyin written and spoken English beforebeginning a postgraduate degree.

You should provide us with eitheran IELTS certificate with a minimumscore of 6.5, including 6.0 inreading and writing, a TOEFLcertificate with a minimum of 90

APPLYING TO KENT

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Making an applicationYou can apply for a Kent higherdegree electronically via our websiteat www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply

If you do not have access to theweb, please contact the Recruitmentand Admissions Office at theaddress overleaf, for a paper copyof the application form.

If you are applying for a researchdegree, it is strongly recommendedthat you contact the School ofPolitics and International Relations inthe first instance so that you have anopportunity to discuss your studyplans with the programme director.

How to complete the onlineapplication formThe online form will take up to 20minutes to complete and can besaved and returned to at any time.

There are five sections to the onlineform:• Choosing your course and givingus basic personal information

• Email verification• Completing the form• Checking and submitting the form• Sending in additional paperworkby email or post.

A decision on your applicationcannot be made until all theadditional paperwork has beenreceived so it is important to sendthem in as soon as you can. Inaddition to filling in the applicationform, you also need to provide:

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All application materials mustbe sent to the Recruitment andAdmissions Office. You cansend this information by fax to+44 (0)1227 827077, or byscanned attachment [email protected], orby post to:The Recruitment andAdmissions Office, The Registry,University of Kent, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NZ, UK

Packages sent by registered post orby courier are normally the mostsecure. The Recruitment andAdmissions Office will acknowledgereceipt of all application materialsas quickly as possible. If you havenot received an acknowledgementwithin a reasonable amount of time,you should contact us again.

Application deadlineThere is no fixed closing deadlinefor applications. However, westrongly recommend that you applyas soon as possible and no laterthan three months before the startof term. If you wish to apply foron-campus accommodation, anapplication must be made onlineby the end of July.

Tuition feesFor the most up-to-date informationon tuition fees, please visitwww.kent.ac.uk/finance-student/fees

ContactsIf you have enquiries in relation toa specific programme, pleasecontact:

Mrs Roxanne Devine,School of Politics andInternational Relations,University of Kent, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NX, UK

T: +44 (0)1227 827307E: [email protected]

• evidence of your academicqualifications. Please ask theinstitution which awarded youyour Bachelor’s or Master’sdegree (or equivalent) to send usan interim or final transcript (a listof all the modules/courses youhave taken with the markachieved for each) or lettercertifying your award

• references from two academicreferees. All references must bein English. The University needsboth references before it canmake a decision whether ornot to offer you a place. Emailaddresses of referees must beprovided as referees will beasked to submit references viaour secure website. Referencesnot submitted by the approvedelectronic route must be madein writing on official letterheadedpaper

• evidence of language ability. Allinternational students required toapply for a visa must ensure thatthey meet the United KingdomBorder Agency (UKBA) eligibilityrequirements for Englishlanguage

• if you are a research applicant,you must also submit an outlineof approximately 1,500 wordsof the research project you wishto undertake

• any other materials or documentsyou would like to be consideredin support of your application.


APPLYING TO KENT (CONT)

COME ANDVISIT USWe hold Open Days andpostgraduate eventsthroughout the year. For moredetails, see www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

Terms and conditions: the Universityreserves the right to make variations to thecontent and delivery of courses and otherservices, or to discontinue courses andother services, if such action is reasonablyconsidered to be necessary. If theUniversity discontinues any course, it willendeavour to provide a suitable alternative.To register for a programme of study, allstudents must agree to abide by theUniversity Regulations (available online at:www.kent.ac.uk/regulations).

Data protection: for administrative,academic and health and safety reasons,the University needs to process informationabout its students. Full registration as astudent of the University is subject to yourconsent to process such information.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Kent: the UK’s EuropeanuniversityKent is known as the UK’sEuropean university. Our two mainUK campuses, Canterbury andMedway, are located in the south-east of England, close to London,and we have specialistpostgraduate centres in Brusselsand Paris.

We have a diverse, cosmopolitanpopulation with 125 nationalitiesrepresented. We also have stronglinks with universities in Europe, andfrom Kent, you are around two hoursaway from Paris and Brussels bytrain.

World-leading researchA great deal of the University ofKent’s research has been ranked asworld-leading in terms of originality,significance and rigour, accordingto the Government’s most recentResearch Assessment Exercise.Kent staff were found to beengaged in research of internationaland world-class standing.

Strong academiccommunityKent’s postgraduate students arepart of a thriving intellectualcommunity that includes staff andstudents from all our locations. Inaddition to lectures, seminars andone-to-one supervisions, you benefitfrom a rich and stimulating researchculture. We have also recentlyinvested in Woolf College, a modernfacility on the Canterbury campusdedicated to postgraduates, whichcombines accommodation, andacademic and social space.

A global outlookKent has a great internationalreputation, attracting academic staffand students from around the world.Our academic schools are engagedin collaborative research withuniversities worldwide and we offera range of opportunities to studyabroad and an approach that is trulyglobal.

The Graduate SchoolAs a postgraduate student, you alsohave the support of the GraduateSchool, which promotes youracademic interests, co-ordinatestransferable skills trainingprogrammes and facilitates cross-disciplinary interaction and socialnetworking.

FundingKent provides a variety of financialsupport opportunities forpostgraduate students. These rangefrom research studentships,location-specific funding, sport andmusic scholarships, and fundingspecifically for overseas fee-payingstudents. For further information,see www.kent.ac.uk/pgfunding

Enhanced careerprospectsAt Kent, we want you to be in agood position to face the demandsof a tough economic environment.During your studies, you acquire ahigh level of academic knowledgeand specialist practical skills. Wealso help you to develop keytransferable skills that are essentialwithin the competitive world of work.

Further informationFor information about applyingto Kent, or to order a copy of theGraduate Prospectus, pleasecontact:

The Recruitment and AdmissionsOffice, The Registry,University of Kent, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NZ, UKT: +44 (0)1227 827272F: +44 (0)1227 827077E: [email protected]

The University also holdsOpen Days and postgraduaterecruitment events throughoutthe year. Please seewww.kent.ac.uk/opendays


LocationCanterbury

FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences

SchoolSchool of Politics andInternational Relations

ContactMrs Roxanne Devine,School of Politics andInternational Relations,University of Kent, Canterbury,Kent CT2 7NX, UK

T: +44 (0)1227 827307E: [email protected]

ApplicationsOnline atwww.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgrad/apply

COME ANDVISIT US

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZT: +44 (0)1227 764000 E: [email protected] www.kent.ac.uk

We hold Open Days and postgraduateevents throughout the year.

For more information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/opendays

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Postgraduate Subject Leaflet

Documents

Transcript of Postgraduate Subject Leaflet