Geopolitics

Overview
How does climate change reshape global politics? What will the world look like with the rise of China as a new superpower? Can regional conflicts shift the international power balance? How will a mainly urbanised world sustain itself? As the international scene becomes increasingly complex, understanding the fundamentals of how people, governments, international institutions and the environment interact is becoming increasingly important. If you are interested in understanding the intersections of space and politics then the MA in Geopolitics is specifically designed for you.

Contemporary issues require advanced analysis that recognises the intersections of space, power and politics. From security challenges to cultural practices or climate change; from the global to the everyday, the connections between politics and space are increasingly complex. Integrating historical, cultural and political perspectives, the MA Geopolitics at QUB is an innovative interdisciplinary programme that seeks to build the knowledge and skills needed to engage these challenges.

Taught by academic experts in Human Geography, Politics and International Relations, with a broad range of regional expertise and research perspectives, this new MA enables students to explore the questions which are shaping our lives. It is not just for geographers, international relations students, and political scientists but anyone with an interest in the core course themes. You will come to understand these intersections through a range of themes developed across the modules. These include nations, states, landscapes, mobilities, urban spaces, environmental change, sovereignty, identity, gender, empire and postcolonial relations, territory and bordering, the politics of human rights and others. You can either specialise or learn across a range of issues such as culture, media, ethics, security and conflict, environmental politics, and democratic participation. You will be taught by experts in regions including the East Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and the UK and Ireland.

As you engage the intersections of space, power and politics you will develop advanced conceptual and analytic skills and subject knowledge needed to explore their intersections in a range of historic and contemporary issues. These skills will enable you to investigate problems shaping environments, places and landscapes and to challenge accepted wisdom. They are also particularly important skills for those pursuing careers in all sectors of government and the public sector, NGOs, international corporations, regional and international agencies, media and information industries.

Year 1
Core Modules
• Culture and the Geopolitics of the Everyday (20 credits)
• Critical Geopolitics (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
• Geo-power: States, Sovereignty, Territory (20 credits)
• Approaches to research design (20 credits)

Optional Modules
• The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland (20 credits)
• Conflict Mediation and Transformation (20 credits)
• Religion and Peacebuilding (20 credits)
• Global Ireland (20 credits)
• The Politics and Political Economy of Energy and Low Carbon Energy Transitions (20 credits)
• Institutions and Politics of the European Union (20 credits)
• Global Development (20 credits)
• Social Injustice (20 credits)
• Global Terrorism (20 credits)
• Conflict Intervention (20 credits)
• Anthropology of Conflict: Ireland and Beyond (20 credits)
• Gender and Politics (20 credits)
• Theories in Comparative Politics (20 credits)
• Contemporary Security (20 credits)
• Global Political Economy (20 credits)
• The UK and Europe (20 credits)
• Democratic Innovations (20 credits)

Course Structure
Students will develop an ability to engage the everyday and global geographies of power at work in a range of issues. They will enhance transferable and intellectual skills and employability skills through independent learning and the pursuit of originality in tackling and solving problems.

The programme has three different components: Core modules, Elective modules, and an MA dissertation.

Students undertake two core modules in each taught semester, and a further optional module.

The dissertation is completed over the summer.

Each taught module is worth 20 CATS points. The dissertation is worth 60 CATS points. The MA requires completion of 180 CATS.

Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.

Applicants with qualifications below 2.1 Honours degree standard may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they can demonstrate appropriate relevant experience.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

1 year (Full Time)
3 years (Part Time)

Teaching Times
Teaching takes place at a variety of times from 9-8pm Monday – Friday.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Introduction
The MA in Geopolitics was launched in September 2021.

MA Geopolitics can train you for employment in all sectors of government and the public sector, international agencies, NGOs, international corporations, media and information industries.

It can also lead to further research for PhD in Geography, Politics, International Studies or environmental studies.