General provisions

The course is only offered during the spring semester as a freestanding web based course, 50% (half time). The course can be part of the Bachelor's Programme in Political Science, the Bachelor's Programme in Social Sciences, and the Bachelor's Programme in Peace and Development Studies or used as self-contained course.

Entry requirements

Peace and Conflict Studies A I

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course the student is expected to demonstrate:

• the ability to identify central concepts in peace and conflict research
• the ability to independently collect data on armed conflict, and assess this data using established practices of source criticism
• the ability to account for the central assumptions of the main theories of International Relations (IR), and of the so-called broadened security agenda, and apply these assumptions to explain the security behaviour of actors
• the ability to independently develop a conflict scenario in a research paper, and theoretically and empirically motivate this scenario
• the ability to actively participate in thematic discussion forums and give academic feedback on another student’s scenario paper.

Content

The course consists of two parts:

Module 1. Peace and security in the international system (7.5 credits)

Course module 3 focuses on the concept of security and its various definitions, such as the broadened security agenda and military and non-military security threats. Emphasis is placed on different theoretical perspectives (mainly from the literature on International Relations) and how they can explain actors’ security policies.

Module 2. Scenario Analysis (7.5 credits)

The scenario analysis consists of an independently written assignment in the form a scenario analysis. The aim of the scenario analysis is to strengthen the student’s ability to analyse the conflict developments within a region, a country or between two countries. The analysis is guided by the theories and concepts that are covered in previous modules during Peace and Conflict Studies AI and AII. The students read and give academic feedback on each other’s assignments.

Instruction

Teaching principally consists of self-studies and correspondence with the head teacher and fellow students via the student portal. There are no common course sessions. Teaching language is English; however, assignments can also be submitted in Swedish.

Assessment

Students are examined through web based seminars and written assignments via the student portal. For each course module there are two examination opportunities given for each assignment.

Three grades are given in this course: VG (pass with distinction), G (pass), U (fail).

To obtain the grade VG (pass with distinction) for the course, a student is required to obtain VG (pass with distinction) on at least 50% of the course modules as well as G (pass) on the remaining course module. To obtain the grade G (pass) for the course a student is required to obtain G (pass) on both course modules.