Course syllabus Master’s Thesis, War Studies

Courses comprising at least 45 higher education credits from the first year of the master's programme, including The Study of War and Conflict (15 credits) and Methods (15 credits), or equivalent, must have a grade of at least Pass in order to qualify.

The course consists of independently, under supervision, conducting a well-defined study in war studies that has been selected and designed by the student him/herself. At an idea presentation seminar, the student shall present the research problem and the reasoning behind it to different groups in a memorandum. At a final seminar, the work shall be presented in writing in the form of a master's thesis. At the final seminar, the student shall answer questions about their study, and explain and justify their choices, study design and contribution. Moreover, each student shall initiate a discussion about at least one other master's thesis by serving as student reviewer, and shall actively participate in discussions about the theses that are included in their seminar group.

Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• based on the current state of research, independently, critically and creatively specify in writing a war studies problem within the main field of study, delimit the problem, and perform a study relevant to the posed problem
• in both national and international contexts, clearly present and discuss, both verbally and in writing, the conclusions drawn based on the scientific problem in dialogue with different groups
• present an overview of the subject area and in this demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in the subject area and significantly in-depth knowledge within parts of the subject area
• with the help of demonstrated methodological knowledge in the subject, critically and systematically perform a qualified study, including evaluation and analysis of complex empirical and theoretical texts
• present and discuss conclusions that have a clear connection to the problem formulation and purpose and/or questions
• critically and constructively review the scientific theses of others based on accepted social science criteria and good research practice
• demonstrate the ability to identify their need for additional knowledge and thereby take responsibility for their knowledge development demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• within the given timeframes, be able to communicate the results of learning and research processes both verbally and in writing, thereby defending and discussing the outcome of scientific choices made during the work
• be able to critically discuss their own contribution in relation to the research area, state of knowledge and social context, and in this demonstrate awareness of the possibilities and limitations of science as well as in-depth insight into the research and development work in question.

Type of Instruction
Seminars and Supervision

Assessment takes place through assessment of the memorandum containing the thesis idea, the thesis (results of the independent research assignment) defence of the thesis at a final seminar, and serving as student reviewer of another thesis. All of these components are mandatory and require attendance and active and constructive participation.

Active attendance at the idea presentation seminar and final seminar is mandatory. Absence from the idea presentation seminar or final seminar cannot be made up. A student who fails to attend any mandatory component may attend the components at the next course instance.

The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order to achieve a passing grade.

Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

To earn the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars, including thesis defence, serving as student reviewer of another master's thesis, and earning the grade Pass with Distinction on the master's thesis. In addition, a student must receive a passing grade on the idea presentation memorandum to earn the grade Pass with Distinction.

To earn the grade Pass, the student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars, including thesis defence, serving as student reviewer of another master's thesis, and earning the grade Pass on the master's thesis. In addition, a student must receive a passing grade on the idea presentation memorandum to earn the grade Pass.

Grading criteria are specified in the course description.

There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

Unless special circumstances exist, the student is only entitled to supervision for the thesis course during the semester in which it is held during the regular programme time. This means that the thesis shall be written and supervision provided during the fourth semester, calculated from the date of programme registration. If the student returns and wishes to take the thesis course during a later course instance, supervision is only given is resources permit. This rule does not apply to any student who has been granted approved leave from studies.

When a course is no longer provided or when the content of a course has been significantly altered, the student has the right to be examined in accordance with this course syllabus twice per academic year over a period of two years.

The course cannot be part of a degree with another course whose content matches the content of this course in whole or in part.

The course is given within the Master's Programme in Politics and War.

The course is given in English.

On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.

If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University on special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.

This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.