Overview
The curriculum requires completion of 45 credit hours which include a combination of required courses, electives within categories of classes, individualized tailoring of the curriculum to meet student interests, a field placement, project work linked to the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention, and a final capstone project.
Program requirements fall into four broad areas:
CORE COURSESStudents complete five common core courses:
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ELECTIVESStudents must complete one elective from each of three categories:
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ADVANCED METHODSStudents may fulfill this requirement in one of four types of methodologies for prevention:
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APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENTStudents complete three courses to demonstrate their ability to apply program concepts and to provide a basis for individual and program level assessment.
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Course Sequencing
Students must begin the program by completing GMAP 502, Comparative Genocides in their first semester, and GMAP 500, Essentials of Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention in their second semester. The three other core courses will be completed by full-time students in the first year, although there is more flexibility in the sequencing.
The sequencing of other program requirements allows for considerable flexibility. In particular, the Electives and the Advanced Methods requirement can be fulfilled at any time. Almost all courses which comprise the proposed MS in GMAP already exist at Binghamton University and are offered on a regular basis. It should be noted that many of the courses which make up the curriculum currently have a “special topics”-type designation (with a course number and letter) because of the numbering traditions in certain departments including, for example, Political Science, History, and Asian & Asian American Studies. Given the number of courses which can be used to fulfill GMAP requirements, there should be ample availability of courses for GMAP students.
With the exception of the core courses (GMAP 500, 501, 502, 503, and 504) and the capstone (GMAP 590), students may fulfill up to 12 credits of program requirements through a process of Individualized Prior Learning Assessment based on prior coursework or prior work experience which demonstrates prior graduate-level learning and corresponding competencies. Requests for Prior Learning Assessment will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the I-GMAP co-directors and representatives of the faculty advisory groups. The committee will: assess the evidence of prior learning; determine which, if any, program requirements it fulfills; and make a recommendation on how much credit that prior learning merits. The Co-Directors will review the recommendations and make a determination.
Review the Sample Course Timeline for more detailS
Curriculum Requirements
The following table presents the curriculum requirements.
Course or Category |
Credits |
| 1. GMAP 500, Essentials of Genocide & Mass Atrocity Prevention (PHIL 580K/PAFF 568) | 4 |
| 2. GMAP 501, Micro-Dynamics of Mass Atrocities | 4 |
| 3. GMAP 502, Comparative Genocides | 4 |
| 4. GMAP 503, International Nongovernmental Organizations (PAFF 555) | 3 |
| 5. GMAP 504, Transitional Justice (PHIL 609) | 4 |
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6. GMAP 518 (A-Z), Special Topics in Politics and Policy for Atrocity Prevention. One course from the category which includes the following pre-approved courses. These courses will generally be cross-listed as GMAP 518 (A-Z) but may also be approved for credit by the GMAP curriculum committee without cross-listing:
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3-4 |
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7. GMAP 528 (A-Z), Special Topics in Tools and Technologies for Atrocity Prevention. One course from the category which includes the following pre-approved courses. These courses will generally be cross-listed as GMAP 528(A-Z) but may also be approved for credit by the GMAP curriculum committee:
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3-4 |
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8. GMAP 538 (A-Z), Special Topics in GMAP. Fulfilled by completing one or more courses totaling 4 credits from among the following or other approved course. These courses may be cross-listed as GMAP 538(A-Z), or may be approved for credit by the GMAP curriculum committee:
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4 |
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9. Advanced Methods for GMAP. Students will complete 8 credits in one of the options below selected in consultation with their GMAP advisor.
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8 |
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10. GMAP 550, Mechanisms of Atrocity Prevention (MAP) Project. (1-3 credits per semester for a total of at least 3 credits). The Mechanisms for Atrocity Prevention (MAP) Project engages students in evaluating alternative approaches to promoting prevention, including but not limited to National Mechanisms. National Mechanisms for prevention are multi-agency and comprehensive systems within a country for detecting and responding to early warning signs, integrating proactive prevention strategies, and monitoring effectiveness. The Mechanisms of Atrocity Prevention program evaluates national, subnational, civil society and private sector mechanisms for prevention. Under the supervision of the I-GMAP Assistant Director, students will work as part of a team to participate in stages of the project underway at the time of enrollment. Students may complete the minimum 3 credits in a single semester or over time; given the annual cycle of the project, students are encouraged to enroll for multiple semesters, and may repeat the course for up to 6 credits. |
3 |
| 11. GMAP 580, GMAP Field Placement. Under the supervision of the I-GMAP Assistant Director, students will be matched with an appropriate prevention-focused governmental, civil society, or private sector organization to work full-time for a minimum of 4 months. A basic travel and living stipend will be provided by the Institute to ensure that placements are not limited to those organizations with the capacity to pay or those students with the financial means to volunteer. Based on student interests and professional aspirations, visa considerations for international students, and language proficiencies, students may be placed within or outside the United States. | 1-6 |
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12. GMAP 590, GMAP Capstone Project. Under the supervision of one of the I-GMAP co-directors, each student will conceptualize, research, and write a report with specific recommendations and a plan for implementation, targeted to an appropriate governmental or nongovernmental official or organization, which draws upon the GMAP program coursework, and the student’s individual field placement. The capstone process will review with students the issues of professional ethics, reflective practice, and self-care to protect the mental health of prevention practitioners. Capstone projects will also be shared in poster sessions during I-GMAP’s annual Frontiers of Prevention conference, and the Institute co-directors may invite exceptional capstone projects to be presented as part of relevant conference panels. |
4 |
| Total minimum required credits: | 45* |
*Note: the actual number of credit hours may be reduced as a result of prior learning assessment or may be higher based on a student’s course selection or a decision to register for additional field placement credits (and completing a corresponding increased level of academic work) if necessary to satisfy requirements associated with financial aid or visa status.
