General provisions

The course syllabus was established by the Faculty Board of Social Sciences 2007-01-24. The course syllabus is decided by the Departmental Board for Department of Peace and Conflict Research. It was

revised 2011-05-30. The course syllabus is valid from 2011-08-01.

Entry requirements

Bachelor of Arts degree with at least 90 credits in peace and conflict studies, or 90 credits in a related relevant discipline and at least 30 credits in major subject or equivalent experience.

Learning outcomes

After completion of this course the student is expected to have attained concrete knowledge in the following areas:

* How to make an inventory and classification of different types of conflict causes.

* Different general theoretical perspectives regarding causes of armed conflict.

* How causes of armed conflict at different levels of analysis interact.

* Comparing causes of intra-state, inter-state, regional and international armed conflicts.

* How and under what circumstances disagreements within and between groups, societies and states sometimes develop into organised, armed violence.

* Theoretical perspectives on the concepts 'strong' and 'weak' states and how this is linked to causes of armed conflict.

* The special role of the state in armed conflict, particularly intra-state conflict.

Content

Focus is on transferring knowledge on the causes of different types of armed conflict. The course underlines the complexity of the subject matter, clarifies similarities and differences between different schools of thought, and stresses the large number of explanatory factors at work at different levels of analysis. Armed conflict normally occurs due to the confluence of many interacting factors. The emphasis is put on the most common type of armed conflict: intra-state conflict. The course also explains the interaction between the goals and interests of conflict actors and parties, their resources and their mental preparedness to use these resources in order to attain their goals with violent means. The difference between strong and weak states is clarified and the role of the state, as well as changes in that role, in relation to different types of conflict is highlighted.

The course is carried out through lectures, literature seminars and seminars in which the students present/discuss written memos. The acquired knowledge, as well as the ability to integrate knowledge and skills and independently formulate and solve problems, is accounted for in a final academic paper.

Instruction

Instruction/teaching is given in the form of lectures and various types of seminars.

Assessment

Examination and final grading is based on student performance in four respects:

* A final course memo in the form of a written academic paper of about 5 000 words (10-12 pages), in which the student carries out a comparative analysis through applying one or more theories in one or more instances of outbreak of armed conflict.

* Presentation of a shorter working paper, that is, an early version of the final memo.

* Being discussant on another student's working paper.

* Active presence during lectures and seminars.

Two retake opportunities are offered every semester the course is given. This takes the form of a 'revise and resubmit' of the final course memo.

The grading system has three grades: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U).

Course level in relation to degree requirements

The course aims at progression at the advanced level, that is, greater width and depth and a deepening of the student's scientific approach to the substance in the area of causes of armed conflict. The course represents a deepening in the sense that the central research questions about causes of armed conflict are problematised to a much greater extent that at the under-graduate level. Similarly, the course offers a greater width than the undergraduate training regarding comprehension of the explanatory factors that are used in different paradigms and theories. Similarities and differences are clarified. Taken together, this provides students with increased ability to both understand and analyse the complexity of the subject. Progression with regard to a scientific approach is ascertained via the increased emphasis on independent analysis and synthesis that characterises the course design. Throughout the course emphasis is written and oral presentations. More specifically, the student shall acquire knowledge, skills and a scientific approach so that he/she can:

Knowledge and Understanding

* Independently and critically identify and argue around what the central issues are, academically as well as politically, the the subject area 'causes of armed conflict' and their relationship to other societal phenomena.

* Independently identify research problems and relevant practical-political issues in the subject area.

Skills and Abilities

* Critically and correctly, in English and in his/her mother tongue as well as orally and in writing, present state-of-the-art reviews and overviews as well as own work in the subject area.

* With good scientific insight and the required methodological skills collect, organise, analyse and from a complex material draw appropriate conclusions of relevance for the theory and practice in the subject area.

* Independently delimit, design and carry out/lead a research or report-writing task within specified time limits in the subject area.

Judgment and Approach

* Be able to judge/assess the work and efforts/performance of others from a wider theoretical and practical perspective in the subject area.

* See connections, interaction, influences and interdependence between the dynamics of conflict causes and other aspects of societal dynamics.