Brochure For Peace & R Studies

The phoenix, the symbol for Coventry University, is a mythological bird that represents continuous self-creation, opportunity and abundance.

Coventry University Priory Street Coventry CV1 5FB Telephone +44 (0) 24 76xx xxxx Email [email protected] www.coventry.ac.uk

Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies

The phoenix, the symbol for Coventry University, is a mythological bird that represents continuous self-creation, opportunity and abundance.

Centre for

Peace and

Reconciliation Studies

Coventry University Priory Street Coventry CV1 5FB Telephone +44 (0) 24 76xx xxxx Email [email protected] www.coventry.ac.uk

MA in Peace & Reconciliation Studies (Full-time or Part-time, campus-based)

Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills (Summer School + Distance Learning)

MA in Peace & Reconciliation Studies by Distance Learning

The Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies (CPRS) is located within the Faculty of Business, Environment and Society, which is the largest faculty of the University. The faculty supplies a vast range of courses covering full-time and part-time studies. Among its disciplines are Business Studies, Disaster Management, African Studies, Human Security and Peace & Reconciliation Studies. It is the overall mission of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies (CPRS) to be a centre for research, teaching and other activities which will contribute to the deeper understanding of processes of peace and reconciliation.

The aim of our postgraduate programmes is to enable students to: • Develop the knowledge and skill base necessary to understand the linkages between the different levels of destructive conflict in the world. • Understand the theory and practice of conflict transformation, peace-making and peace-building at the various levels. • Evaluate alternative modes of action and intervention in the attempt to transform violent and destructive conflict along non-violent and constructive channels.

What can I get out of the programmes?

Modes of study

• Access the latest international scholarship on peace, reconciliation, conflict transformation and related areas of study.

At CPRS we offer the following programmes and modes of study:

• Study with a cosmopolitan mix of students and staff from around the world, young and experienced, practitioners and academics.

MA in Peace & Reconciliation Studies

• Improve your career prospects with a postgraduate qualification, including theoretical and vocational elements.

This postgraduate programme is offered on either a full-time or part-time basis. Normally a full time student completes the course within one academic year, whilst part-time students take two years.

• Specialist programmes in Project Management for Peace and Development Agencies; and for Conflict Resolution Skills. • A mix of taught components, self-study, online learning and discussion: your choice. • A supportive, creative and serious atmosphere for scholars and activists.

We aim to deliver most of the teaching components mid-week. Should you be eligible to study this programme part-time, the minimum attendance is usually one day a week during term time. Students learn in 5 double modules which reflect our core concerns. These are: • Key issues in Peace and Reconciliation Studies • Theory and Practice of Conflict Transformation • Comparative Peace Processes • Religion, Peace and Conflict (option) • Gender and Human Rights/ Human Rights Law (options) • Project Management In addition students take 2 single research modules. If all these are completed successfully, they proceed to a dissertation.

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www.coventry.ac.uk/peacestudy

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Staff and students Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills

MA in Peace and Reconciliation Studies by Distance Learning

This programme is offered as a blend of online study and an intensive, highly interactive two-week summer school. The programme aims to provide participants with a clear understanding of the dynamics of conflict, violence and peace and to enable students to acquire a range of practical skills related to handling conflict situations.

If you successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills, you can apply to transfer to the MA in Peace and Reconciliation Studies by distance learning. You will study essentially the same materials as are provided for the campus-based MA, but without attending classes. You can gain a full MA qualification, in what may be a convenient mode of study if, for example, you live outside the UK. Please note, the summer school is mandatory, and you cannot study the entire MA programme without this two-week period in Coventry.

The summer school will run two weeks in July. Before the summer school, and especially after it, you are expected to communicate with tutors and fellow-students by email and through the use of other online learning tools. You should complete the programme by December.

PhD Programme We offer a very limited number of places to exceptional candidates who wish to study for a PhD in Peace Studies. Careers and futures Graduates from peace studies programmes may find professional employment in a wide range of sectors, inside the UK and internationally, for example: • International development • Humanitarian aid delivery • Journalism • Politics • Religion • United Nations agencies • Truth and Reconciliation initiatives • Academic institutions • Community Mediation and Cohesion • Peace and justice NGOs • Human rights • Restorative justice work We have graduates working in all the above sectors. Many students study peace and reconciliation for the intrinsic interest and importance of the subject matter, rather than for employment purposes; and we are also happy to offer places to midcareer professionals who seek a meaningful addition to their current qualifications and experience.

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Programmes are taught by core staff at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies, with additional expertise brought in for seminars and other events. All staff are research active, and they are specialists in various fields of peace studies and related disciplines. Your lecturers and supervisors will include: Alan Hunter (Director of CPRS and Professor of Asian Studies: Asian traditions; religion, peace and conflict) Marwan Darweish (Senior Lecturer in Peace Studies: conflict transformation and Middle East peace-building) Carol Rank (Senior Lecturer in Peace Studies: conflict transformation and peace education) Martyn Richards (Visiting Teaching Fellow): project management for peace and development agencies Andrew Rigby (Professor of Peace Studies: non-violent social change; Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ‘dealing with the past’) Additional expertise is also provided by guest speakers and by staff from the Law and International Studies and Social Science subject areas of our faculty. We keep our courses relatively small – usually 20 to 25 people in each – which allows for a good tutor-student ratio and a close-knit, supportive learning community. Our courses attract people from all over the world, and learning on the courses is highly interactive.

www.coventry.ac.uk/peacestudy

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Student Profiles

Human Security Ea Meng-Try (Cambodia)

Steven Kaindaneh

(Graduate of MA Peace and Reconciliation Studies)

(Graduate of MA Peace and Reconciliation Studies)

I became familiar with many cultures and nationalities while studying at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (CPRS) at Coventry University. It is a good place where everybody including students, tutors and neighbours meet and discuss about peace and reconciliation. What I really liked about CPRS was the studentcentred approach. The class size is relatively small so it is very easy to get to know other fellow students. Tutors know you as an individual not just a student. They were very friendly people and always available to talk to you when you needed help. All tutors seemed to really care about your success, both in their class and in your future. CPRS is the perfect place for students to succeed. (Meng-try proceeded to doctoral study at Rutgers University, USA, and to senior professional work with the Cambodian Truth and Reconciliation process).

Steven has worked in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Sudan. All three countries have one thing in common - conflict. As a humanitarian aid worker, Steven has also contributed to conflict resolution at community level in the three countries. His involvement in conflict resolution motivated him to study at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies. When Steven completed the MA degree in Peace and Reconciliation Studies in 2007, he took an appointment with a leading international agency involved in providing relief aid, promoting reconciliation and building local capacities to respond disasters in Southern Sudan. He however returned to Coventry University in January 2008 to enrol for postgraduate research studies. He is researching the civil war in Sierra Leone (which ended in 2002) and how it is remembered at state and community levels.

Sian Hawkins (UK) (Graduate of MA Peace and Reconciliation Studies) Having worked in the Probation Service for 5 years, I took a career change and moved into international development work. Having worked in Afghanistan from 1999 for six years, I returned to the UK in 2005 keen to learn more about Peace and Reconciliation in areas of violent conflict. I completed the MA in Peace and Reconciliation studies in November 2008 and this course really inspired in me a desire to assist those engaged in Development activities to improve their peacebuilding activities. Consequently, I have returned to Coventry to do a PhD to research this topic further. I find the atmosphere at Coventry easy-going yet structured enough to help me with my research, and find the knowledge and help of the tutors invaluable. I hope to finish my studies in 4-6 years on a part-time basis and believe this will help me to provide some really practical and useful assistance to those engaged in International Development work in areas of violent conflict.

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Our Centre shares premises and interests with the Applied Research Centre in Human Security. Human security is a new security framework that centres directly on people and recognises that lasting peace and social justice cannot be achieved unless people are protected from threats to basic needs and rights. Its essence is about protecting people as well as the state. Among the main threats to people’s security are climate change, an inequitable global economic system, bad governance, corruption, abuse of human rights and violence. Please see the web-pages (www.coventry.ac.uk/archs) for further information.

Expenses & Entry requirements Living expenses: many students survive on around £600 per month, paying around £250 for accommodation. Of course you may enjoy your stay in Coventry more if you can afford to spend more than this amount. There are not many compulsory purchases for the programme, but you will need basic stationary items and some key books. Other resources, like networked computers and excellent library facilities, are made available free of charge within the university. Many students decide to work part-time during the year. UK/EU students can do so freely; international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week in term time, and 40 hours per week in vacations. You may take basic employment on an hourly rate, or look for more specialist work if you are qualified. Travel expenses: especially if you come from outside Europe, you will have to consider the cost of return flights, visa, insurance and perhaps extra clothing: the English winter can be quite cold! Fee scholarships: Each year we have a limited number of fee scholarships. These are intended to help students, especially those from conflict zones and low income countries, meet the cost of the course fees. Competition for these scholarships is intense, but if you would like to apply then you should complete the application form.

Entry requirements We welcome students of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. However, there are certain entry requirements for our postgraduate programmes of which the most important are that you should have: • a good first degree, preferably in a relevant subject like international relations or politics, • or equivalent work experience at a senior level in a relevant field; • also, if English is not your native language, you should have evidence of good writing and speaking skills, for example an IELTS score of 6.5 or similar; • also, evidence that you have the commitment and financial support to complete the programme successfully.

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Coventry as a place to live and study The City Coventry is a lively, multicultural city with a rich history embracing the old and the new. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Cathedral Quarter where the modern architecture and ancient ruins of the two Cathedrals dominate cobbled streets with bustling cafes, pubs and restaurants. Walk through Coventry’s pedestrianised city-centre and you’ll see over 1,000 years’ of English history, ranging from the medieval charm of historic Spon Street to the architectural innovation of Millennium Place. You’ll find all the main high street stores and plenty of small specialist shops to cater for your every need. Entertainment and Leisure As a focus for entertainment and leisure, the City’s reputation is rapidly on the increase. There is an enormous variety of places to eat, drink, dance and relax, including the £33m Skydome complex. This houses a multi-screen cinema, bars and café bars, two nightclubs, and quality restaurants. There is also a 4,000-seat arena, a popular concert venue that doubles up as an ice rink for our championship winning ice hockey team Coventry Blaze. Culture If you’re looking for a cultural experience, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is definitely worth a visit. You may also like to take in a show or two at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry’s premier theatrical venue, highly renowned for staging local and national productions. Sport There’s plenty on offer for sport lovers too. The Ricoh Arena, home to Coventry City Football Club is a new development which houses a 32,000 capacity football stadium. This will also be the venue for some of the UK’s most high profile sports and entertainment events. The £113m multi-purpose development expands over 72 acres and is one of the most prestigious arenas, conference and exhibition centres in the country. There is also a £20m programme underway including a Rugby stadium and a Football Academy of Excellence. In addition, we couldn’t be closer to the City sports centre which is home to an Olympic sized swimming pool. As we are situated in the centre of England, we are also very close to Edgbaston, a venue for international test cricket. For sport and fitness enthusiasts Coventry University’s brand new £4m stateof-the-art Sport and Recreation Centre is in a central location on campus. This facility offers a vast range of activities catering for all sporting tastes.

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At the University there are currently over 60 Sports clubs and Societies available for you to join at Coventry University Students Union. These range from traditional team sports such as Rugby, Football, Cricket, Hockey and Netball to the more extreme activities like Mountaineering and Snow/Surf/ Skate-boarding. The full list of sports clubs can be obtained from the Sports & Societies Office on the first floor of the Students Union, Priory Street or phone the Students Union on +44 (0)24 7679 5218. Local Area Coventry is close to some of the most historic, cultural and scenic areas of the UK. Tourists and visitors from around the whole world are drawn to our region by Shakespeare’s literary heritage. His hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon remains a popular tourist destination. Other places of interest include Royal Leamington Spa, the castles of Kenilworth and Warwick, and Coombe Park, a 300-acre estate comprising an abbey, formal gardens, woodland nature trails and wildlife.

Transport Links Birmingham International Airport is 15 minutes away from Coventry and Birmingham, England’s second city, is just 25 minutes away. It’s National Exhibition Centre is one of the country’s main music venues and is also home to many trade and commercial events. London, the capital of Britain is only 1 hour away by train and Oxford, another popular destination is about 40 minutes away. The University Coventry University is a major UK Higher Education institution of 15,000 students with more than 150 years of history behind its name. The University has an established academic presence both regionally, nationally and internationally. The Campus The University occupies a purpose built 33-acre campus in the heart of Coventry City-centre directly opposite the world-famous cathedral where the graduation ceremonies are held. The campus is lively and bustling and its central location is only a short walk from shops, banks, pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants. The compact campus means that you will not have far to travel between lectures and cafes; various refectories and bars are on hand for you to meet up with friends.

Library

Postgraduate Student Support

A stunning feature of the University is our £20m Library which adds considerably to our profile in the City. It is a high-tech centre for information access in a state-ofthe art, energy efficient building. Alongside an extensive collection of books and current periodicals, the Library offers a wide range of other services to ensure the best possible support for your study.

All Business School postgraduate students are automatically members of the University’s new Graduate Centre based in the Jaguar Building. The Centre provides a dedicated range of services for Postgraduate (taught and research) students offering a wide range of facilities and activities. The role of the Centre is to provide an opportunity for students to step outside their faculty into the larger Postgraduate community.

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Queries Student Union

International Office

Accommodation

Student welfare is one of the keys to your success and happiness during your postgraduate studies. New experiences can be challenging and sometimes even difficult to manage. Help and guidance is available at the Union’s Advice Centre on the first floor at the Student Union on Priory Street. Our experts at the Students’ Union Advice Centre (SUAC) are always on hand. They have excellent track records. We offer highly confidential advice services. The Students Union is run by its members. On a day-to-day basis, it is managed by a team of elected officers, called the Executive Committee. It is our job to make sure that you are represented and know what’s going on. Coventry University Students Union exists to support, advise and involve its members and ensure that you have the best University experience possible. Visit the website: www.cusu.org

Developing and supporting the international postgraduate community is central to the University’s values. There are over 900 non-UK students following research programmes and attending various taught courses, forming a significant part of the overall postgraduate population of students.

The University will help you find accommodation if you wish. There are university-owned halls of residence (some catered, some with small kitchens); and plenty of accommodation in the private sector.

The International Office is here to help you and will advise and assist from day one - whether it’s an initial enquiry regarding your application, questions about the arrival process or continuing requests throughout your time at Coventry University. The International Office provides ongoing support with advice on accommodation, immigration, employment rules and schemes for working in the UK beyond formal studies.

If you have further queries about the course content, please contact our course leaders: [email protected] (MA programmes) [email protected] (PG Cert, conflict resolution skills)

If you have queries about the accommodation please email [email protected] or phone +44 (0)24 7688 7304.

If you have further queries about the application process or any other query about studying at Coventry please contact: [email protected] (Administrative Manager) To make an application please visit our website: www.coventry.ac.uk/peacestudy

With your application you are required to submit the following: • A completed application form • Two reference letters • Evidence of your English language ability (if not native-speaker) • Documentary evidence of your qualifications • Statement of your plans to support yourself financially during the course If you decide to apply for the scholarship, please note that scholarship applications will be assessed separately. Please submit the scholarship application together with the course application.

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