General provisions

The Hugo Valentin Centre, Uppsala University, is responsible for the course. The course was approved by the board of Hugo Valentin Centre 2010-10-12.

Entry requirements

General entrance requirements for Master courses or Master programmes or B.A. in the Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences. Special requirement is a good result on international tests such as TOEFL (internet based 92 points, computer based 237 points, and written test 580 points), IELTS (6.5 points, not less than 6.0)

Learning outcomes

The course addresses theories about mass violence, with a special focus on structural forces, the role of the state and other political actors. During the course, the student will become acquainted with theories focusing on the role of ideology, but also with explanations that emphasise other factors as key explanations to extreme violence. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction between macro and micro levels. Apart from an overview of various definitions of genocide and other mass killings, the course also provides the students with theoretical insights that help place outbreaks of mass killing in different historical and political contexts. In addition, the student will gain skills in methodological issues of relevance for the comparative analysis of mass violence.

Learning outcomes

The students will:

- Develop their skills in comparative method.

- Develop a critical approach to theory, inter alia through the analysis of scholarly debates.

- Become acquainted with the most important non-legal definitions of genocide and how they are similar and different from the legal one.

- Obtain a broad knowledge of theories about genocide and other forms of mass violence, including an ability to relate the phenomena to historical processes.

- Gain an understanding of specific issues related to the study of mass violence, such as the role of organised political actors, the function of ideology and the impact of structural and social factors.

Competences

The students will:

- Obtain a critical awareness of the relationship between theoretical aspects of mass violence and empirical findings.

- Acquire theoretically founded skills that will enable them to conduct comparative analyses.

- Obtain extensive skills in problem identification and solving, communication, and knowledge sharing.

Content

The course will consist of lectures and seminars.

Instruction

Study of literature, active participation in seminars, as well as oral and written assignments.

Assessment

Examination will include active participation in all seminars and written examination. Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system: Väl Godkänd (VG), Godkänd (G), Underkänd (U).