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Course syllabus Proxy Wars, Interventions and Covert Operations

Swedish name: Ombudskrig, interventioner och täckoperationer

Course code:
2KR022
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2022
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
War Studies
Department:
Department of War Studies and Military History
Subject:
War Studies
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2022-01-01

Entry requirements

Accepted to the Master's Programme in Politics, Security and War. For freestanding course: Bachelor of Science Degree in Military Studies or Bachelor's degree worth 180 credits, of which 90 credits are in War studies or equivalent.

Course content and structure

This course aims to provide comprehensive knowledge of proxy wars, particularly their characteristics, political decision-making processes and consequences. During the course, you will analyze contemporary as well as historical proxy wars using theoretical concepts from current research on the topic. In particular, we will focus on a set of key questions: What is proxy warfare? Why do states use proxies? Why do governments and non-state armed groups request external support? What type of support is provided, and what is central in the decision-making process? What determines whether an intervention is overt or covert? How do states control their proxies? What are the consequences of these type of interventions? Is war by proxy an effective way to achieve political goals?

Except for the introductory lecture the course is completely seminar-based with a strong emphasis placed on active student learning. This includes presenting and structuring a policy-relevant briefing and contributing with constructive feedback on the analyses of other participants.

Type of Instruction
Seminars and lectures.

Objectives

After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:

  • Problematise and critically evaluate arguments, theories and methods in current research on proxy wars
  • Independently analyse historical and contemporary proxy wars using theoretical concepts and relevant empirics
  • Critically assess and contrast theories within the general research on interventions
  • Present and structure a policy-relevant briefing

Examination formats

Examination
Scope: 7.5

Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction

Assessment is based on three components: a written assignment, written peer-feedback, and a verbal policy briefing. Attendance at the seminar that includes the policy briefing is mandatory.

The examiner may decide to allow for a supplementary assignment in order to achieve a passing grade. The student has three working daysto complete the supplementary assignment after announcement unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner. Assignments submitted after the deadline will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that have been approved by the examiner. If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University regarding special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.

Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). Grading criteria are specified no later than the start of the course. To earn a grade of Pass (G), the student must earn a grade of Pass for all three assessment tasks. To earn a grade of Pass with Distinction (VG), the student must earn a grade of Pass with Distinction for the written assignment plus a grade of Pass with Distinction on at least one of the other two assessment tasks.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

Transitional provisions

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 once per semester over a period of three semesters.

Other regulations

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

The course is given as an elective course within the Master's Programme in Politics, Security and War. It can also be given as a freestanding course.

The course is given in English.

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.

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

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.