Entry requirements

120 credits including 90 credits in a subject in the humanities or the social sciences. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

A student who successfully completes the course will be able to:

• describe and analyse the overall development of the Cold War and its central actors from various theoretical perspectives and empirical examples from different parts of the world,
• compare the Scandinavian development with developments in other countries with regard to the historical, cultural, and political contexts,
• summarise and critically discuss the current Swedish and international research on the Cold War from a historical perspective.

Content

The course covers the Cold War from a global perspective, focusing particularly on its progression and causes. Key themes include the roles and actions of superpowers, the adaptation and behaviour of smaller nations, and the consequences, mentality, culture, and people during the Cold War period. Specific topics such as civil defence, constant preparedness, societal militarisation, and terrorism are also addressed.

Instruction

The teaching consists of seminars.

Assessment

Assessment will be based upon written and oral assignments. Students that have missed a small number of mandatory assignments may complete them by the end of the term at the latest. 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.