General provisions

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 freestanding course.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

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
• independently write an assignment within a given time frame
• communicate in English, in writing and/or orally

Content

The course consists of two parts:

Module 1. Peace and Security in the International system (7.5 credits)

This module 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. Security Scenario Analysis (7.5 credits)

The security 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 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 learning platform. There are no common course sessions. The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

Students are examined through web based seminars and written assignments via the learning platform.

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.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating and plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, which may issue a formal warning to the student or suspend the student from studies for a certain period.