Master of Arts in Power, Conflict, and Ideas (Okanagan)

The dynamics of power, conflict, and ideas in today's world are complex and in constant flux. Access to economic opportunity, employment, security, and civil rights protections is not equally available to all members of society. The ability to understand the causes and consequences of these inequalities requires a solid foundation in historical knowledge and contextualised understandings of social and political dynamics. Finding solutions to problems of social inequality and injustice also requires recognition of structural challenges, such as those presented by legal and criminal justice systems, institutions of governance, and other infrastructures of power.

The interdisciplinary graduate degree in power, conflict, and ideas at UBC's Okanagan campus brings together diverse perspectives, insights, tools, and techniques needed to comprehend and address today's challenges, and allow graduates to become agents of change.

Students will study the dynamics of political environments, learn how to use archives and historical data, study social theory and theoretical approaches, learn how to apply ethical frameworks, and develop critical analytical skills. In pursuing this field of study, students will be able to pursue rigorous graduate study that culminates in an in-depth individual research project. The interdisciplinary nature of the program, drawing from multiple faculties and departments, allows for a range of teaching and research opportunities in different departments.
The interdisciplinary master's degree in power, conflict, and ideas gives graduate students access to the expertise of diverse, nationally and internationally recognized researchers from a variety of faculties and disciplines in a coherent, thematic framework.

Graduates of the program will come away with a nuanced understanding of:

Power, social change, and the history of ideas
Governance, participation, and policymaking
Historical context and framework
Inequality, conflict, and social justice
PROGRAM MILESTONES
Establishing a faculty supervisory committee
Completing coursework
Preparing, presenting, and defending a thesis research proposal
Completing thesis research and writing, and defending the work
COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS
18 credits of coursework are required, including:

Proseminar in Interdisciplinary Studies (IGS 524)
Theme Seminar in Governance (IGS 589)
Theme Seminar in Power and Ideas (IGS 590)
Theme Seminar in Society and Conflict (IGS 591)
Theme Seminar in History Theory and Method (IGS 592)
One additional course to be selected by the student, in consultation with his or her supervisor