PEAC 590 is a year-long paper in the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPCS). The class is an ongoing academic research and writing paper designed to engage, enable and support MPCS students to complete the 18,000-20,000 word dissertation. Upon completion of this paper students will have mastered the art and science of writing for an academic audience on a topic of their choosing. Students can expect to be introduced to a number of tools necessary for long-form dissertation writing. This paper provides a variety of methodological and literary constructs in order to sustain, assist and monitor the demanding and rewarding task of writing a master's dissertation. Special attention will be given to engaging with indigenous and bicultural topics. The course will encourage students to critically reflect on bias and to develop skills in decolonising approaches when engaging in the research dissertation.
About this paper
| Paper title | Research Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Subject | Peace and Conflict Studies |
| EFTS | 0.5 |
| Points | 60 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 16 February 2026)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 16 February 2026) (Distance learning) 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 29 June 2026) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 29 June 2026) (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $4,713.50 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MPCS
- Eligibility
Suitable for postgraduate students of all disciplines.
- Contact
- peaceandconflict@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies' website
- Teaching staff
To be confirmed.
- Paper Structure
This paper involves writing a research thesis of no more than 18,000 - 20,000 words on a subject of the student's own choosing based on primary and secondary sources.The research dissertation shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University. The paper has an introductory session followed by four workshops:
- Workshop 1 - Reviewing the Literature and Choosing a Question
- Workshop 2 - Matching the Question to the Methods
- Workshop 3 - Writing and Structure
- Workshop 4 - Workshopping Preliminary Proposals
- Teaching Arrangements
- Each voluntary seminar is a combination of lecture, discussion and reflection and is three hours long.
- Textbooks
This paper has several online and library eReserve readings.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students who successfully complete the paper will demonstrate in-depth understanding of the central concepts, theories and methods of long-form dissertation writing in peace and conflict studies.