Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be within the humanities or social sciences.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries.

Aims

The aim of the programme is to provide students with the empirical and theoretical knowledge, as well as the methodological skills, necessary to independently and critically understand and analyse the history and historiography of the Holocaust, as well as the background, nature, and impact of genocide and mass violence on individuals and societies.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

For a Master’s degree, the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, including both broad knowledge of the field and significantly deeper knowledge in certain areas, as well as advanced insight into current research and development work in the subject area; and

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of theories and methods underpinning research on the background, nature, and consequences of genocide and mass violence.

Skills and Abilities

For a Master’s degree, the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess, and deal with complex phenomena, issues, and situations—even with limited information;

• demonstrate the ability to critically, independently, and creatively identify and formulate research questions, to plan and carry out advanced tasks using appropriate methods within given timeframes, thereby contributing to the development of knowledge, and to evaluate this work;

• clearly present and discuss conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based, both orally and in writing, in national and international contexts, and in dialogue with different groups; and

• demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work independently in other advanced professional contexts.

Judgement and Approach

For a Master’s degree, the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability to make scholarly assessments within the field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies with regard to relevant scientific, societal, and ethical aspects;

• demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of individuals for how it is used; and

• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their own learning.

Layout of the programme

Students take courses totalling 75 credits and write a degree thesis worth 45 credits. The education is mainly structured around course modules of 7.5 or 15 credits. The programme includes compulsory subject courses, thematic courses, skills courses, and elective courses.

The programme is distinctly interdisciplinary and involves the study of mass violence and its effects in various historical, cultural, and social contexts, drawing on theories from political science, sociology, psychology, and social psychology.

During the first semester, students gain foundational empirical, methodological, and theoretical knowledge through three compulsory courses focusing on the Holocaust and other cases of genocide or mass violence. In the second semester, students take a compulsory 15-credit course on the mechanisms of violence. They also begin to specialise within a chosen area by taking a 7.5-credit elective course and begin their thesis (module 1 of 3).

The third semester includes continued thesis work (module 2 of 3), a compulsory course on methods in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and 15 credits of elective courses. Instead of—or in combination with—elective courses, students may complete an internship worth up to 15 credits.

The fourth semester is entirely devoted to completing the thesis (module 3 of 3). During the third semester, students also have the opportunity to participate in international student exchanges through the university’s and department’s agreements.

Forms of instruction and examination vary between courses and are specified in each course syllabus. Teaching takes place at the Uppsala Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, in collaboration with other departments within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. All instruction is conducted in English.

Degree

The programme leads to a Master of Arts (120 credits) in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.