SD2S21 - Global Perspectives on Violence and Conflict 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SD2S21
Module Title: Global Perspectives on Violence and Conflict
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Leadership and Public Services
Faculty Sub Group: Leadership and Public Services
Module Leader: Mohammad Kabir
Module Team: Nick Swann, Wendy Booth, David Phillips, Palash Kamruzzaman, Jennifer Law, Paul Lewis, Hayley Jenkins, Jack David
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101288 - international studies
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

The aim of the module is to give students a comprehensive overview of the socio-cultural theories of violence, and to relate these theories with local and global contexts; taking into consideration interdisciplinary case studies.      

The objectives of the module are to: 

  • Recognise the limitations of common-sense thinking about violence. 

  • Critique a range of popular theories of violence. 

  • Compare cross-cultural variations in respect of aggression, violence and warfare. 

  • Apply social theory to a range of common violent behaviours in our society. 

  • Investigate various categories of political violence and examine why they occur. 

  • Consider a selected range of violent mass events of the 20th and 21st centuries and relate these to sociological ideas. 

  • Explore sociological explanations of cruelty, atrocities and mass killings. 

Content Summary

This module engages debates around the cross disciplinary (science and social science) discussions on violence and the ways certain theories gave interpretations of violence in contrast with some others. Throughout this analysis, students will develop their understanding of controversies within and between disciplines of natural and social sciences. Most notably, that there are numerous disputes over the root causes of violence and its gender dynamics. Students will engage in debates related to moral panic, public disorder, riots, genocide, holocaust and potentially link those with structural factors such as social injustice, inequality, media agenda setting and historical circumstances. How far and in what ways contemporary violence can be described as ‘postmodern’ will be examined using sociological lens.    

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminars 40
Independent Study 88
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Explain and distinguish psychological and socio-cultural theories of violence and conflict.
LO2 Apply critical reflection to interdisciplinary works while demonstrating academic writing skills and in the review of arguments and counter arguments.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 2 A standard essay 10 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 A standard essay 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 2
Essay 1

Reading List

Schuurman, B.(2019)Topics in terrorism research: reviewing trends and gaps, 2007-2016,Critical Studies on Terrorism,12(3): 463- 480.   

Kilby, J. and Ray, L. J. eds (2015) Violence and Society - Towards a New Sociology Sociological Review Monograph, Sociological Review 16 (3) 

Ray, L. J. (2011) Violence and Society, London: Sage 

Collins, R. (2008) Violence: A Micro-sociological Theory. Princeton University Press 

Wilson, D. (2009) A History of British Serial Killing, London: Sphere. 

Waddington, D. (2007) Policing Public Disorder: theory and practice, Cullompton: Willan. 

Gunning, J. (2008) Hamas in Politics: democracy, religion, violence, New York: Columbia University Press. 

Docker, J. (2008) The Origins of Violence: religion, history and Genocide, London: Pluto.