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Course syllabus The Study of War and Conflict

Swedish name: Studiet av krig och konflikter

Course code:
2KR025
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2022
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
15.0 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

Bachelor of Science Degree in Military Studies or Bachelor's degree worth 180 credits, of which 90 credits are in War Studies or another related, relevant subject, such as International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Security Studies, Political Science, etc.

English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.

Course content and structure

The course aims to give the student a qualified social scientific understanding of traditional and modern perspectives of war, conflicts and military power. The course offers both a broad introduction to contemporary theories, and an in-depth study of different analytical perspectives. The course has two overarching themes. The first theme focuses on different perspectives of war and conflicts, such as how, why for what purposes, and under what conditions war is waged. The second theme focuses on different perspectives of the military means of power, such as how military power is created and organised.

Type of Instruction
Instruction is in the form of lectures, mandatory seminars, and scenario exercises.

Objectives

After completed course the student should be able to:

Competence and skills
  • Identify, contrast and problematise different analytical orientations/theoretical approaches to the study of war and conflicts.
  • Independently and with good grounding in theoretical perspectives, analyse wars, conflicts and use of military force.
  • Clearly communicate, both verbally and in writing, the content, arguments and conclusions in the course literature and independent analyses.

Judgement and approach
  • Evaluate arguments about war, conflict and use of military force based on ethical considerations.

Examination formats

Assessment takes place through active participation in the mandatory seminars and written submission in the form of a memorandum, which is also presented at a final seminar.

Examinations submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist and the examiner finds the reason acceptable.

The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order for a passing grade to be achieved in the course. The supplementation shall be submitted no later than three working days after notification of the examination results and the decision on supplementation, unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.

Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). Grading criteria are specified by no later than the start of the course.

To earn the grade Pass (G) in the course, the student must actively and constructively participate in mandatory seminars and earn a grade of Pass (P) on the written assignment in the form of a memorandum.

To earn the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must meet the requirements for Pass (G) and earn a grade of Pass with Distinction (VG) on the written assignment in the form of a memorandum.

The number of examinations is not limited.

Transitional provisions

When the course is no longer given or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.

Other regulations

The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.

The course is given within the framework of the Master’s Programme in Politics and War, and may also be given as a freestanding course.

From autumn semester 2021, the course is included as an elective course within the Master's Programme in Politics, Security and War.

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.

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.

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.