Course syllabus The Russo – Ukraine war: multidisciplinary perspectives
Swedish name: Kriget mellan Ryssland och Ukraina: mångvetenskapliga perspektiv
Course code:
2KR034
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2025
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
War Studies
Department:
Department of War Studies
Subject:
War Studies
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2024-10-29
Entry requirements
180 credits of which 90 credits must be in subjects belonging to the social sciences or the humanities. English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.
Course content and structure
The course offers the student the opportunity to immerse him- or her self in theories and scholarship that describe, interpret and explain the war between Russia and Ukraine.
By offering opportunities for the student to place War Studies perspectives into a broadened multidisciplinary context - in particular through connections to the research environment at the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies focussing on the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe - the course strengthens the student's ability to apply critical perspectives to analyses of the war.
The learning activities of the course provide the student with opportunities to critically reflect on military, historical, political, cultural and societal aspects of the Russo-Ukraine War, and to identify and reflect on the international implications of the war. The course engages with War Studies contributions on the importance of military culture, the relationship between technology and tactical/operational action, and highlights historical, political, cultural, and societal perspectives from the multidisciplinary research area Baltic and East European Studies. The aim hereby is to strengthen the student's abilities to consider different aspects of, and perspectives on, the Russo-Ukraine War and to reflect on the conduct of warfare from different points of view.
Building on a War Studies knowledge base, and through seminars, lectures and self-study, the student will enhance their ability to understand the Russo-Ukraine War from multidisciplinary perspectives. Through the multidisciplinary insights from Baltic and East European Studies and through the collaboration with Södertörn University, the student will be provided with opportunities to improve their ability to analyze the generation and deployment of military power in this war within a Baltic and East European context.
Students enrolled in the course at the Swedish Defence University will be examined in War Studies and will receive their credits in War Studies.
Type of instruction
Lectures, seminars and self-study.
The seminars and lectures on the course will be delivered by teachers at both Swedish Defence University and Södertörn University.
By offering opportunities for the student to place War Studies perspectives into a broadened multidisciplinary context - in particular through connections to the research environment at the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies focussing on the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe - the course strengthens the student's ability to apply critical perspectives to analyses of the war.
The learning activities of the course provide the student with opportunities to critically reflect on military, historical, political, cultural and societal aspects of the Russo-Ukraine War, and to identify and reflect on the international implications of the war. The course engages with War Studies contributions on the importance of military culture, the relationship between technology and tactical/operational action, and highlights historical, political, cultural, and societal perspectives from the multidisciplinary research area Baltic and East European Studies. The aim hereby is to strengthen the student's abilities to consider different aspects of, and perspectives on, the Russo-Ukraine War and to reflect on the conduct of warfare from different points of view.
Building on a War Studies knowledge base, and through seminars, lectures and self-study, the student will enhance their ability to understand the Russo-Ukraine War from multidisciplinary perspectives. Through the multidisciplinary insights from Baltic and East European Studies and through the collaboration with Södertörn University, the student will be provided with opportunities to improve their ability to analyze the generation and deployment of military power in this war within a Baltic and East European context.
Students enrolled in the course at the Swedish Defence University will be examined in War Studies and will receive their credits in War Studies.
Type of instruction
Lectures, seminars and self-study.
The seminars and lectures on the course will be delivered by teachers at both Swedish Defence University and Södertörn University.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- explain how analyses of the Russo-Ukraine War based on research in War Studies can be broadened and deepened with knowledge drawn from other disciplines
Competence and skills
- combine theories in War Studies with multidisciplinary perspectives to describe, interpret and explain the Russo-Ukraine War
Judgement and approach
- evaluate theories and research in War Studies to describe, interpret and explain the Russo-Ukraine War
- independently reflect on the different perspectives of state and non-state actors on the causes and consequences of the war
- critically reflect on the international implications of the war.
Examination formats
7.5 credits
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction
Assessment is conducted through active participation in mandatory seminars and the submission of a shorter written assignment and a more extended written assignment.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.
Grading
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).
To earn the grade Pass (G), the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and have attained a grade of Pass (G) on the two written assignments.
To earn the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must not only meet all of the requirements for Pass (G) but also earn a grade of Pass with Distinction (VG) on the extended written assignment.
Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction
Assessment is conducted through active participation in mandatory seminars and the submission of a shorter written assignment and a more extended written assignment.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.
Grading
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).
To earn the grade Pass (G), the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and have attained a grade of Pass (G) on the two written assignments.
To earn the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must not only meet all of the requirements for Pass (G) but also earn a grade of Pass with Distinction (VG) on the extended written assignment.
Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.
Other regulations
- The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.
- If the Swedish Defence University has formally decided that the student is entitled to receive special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
- The course director will conduct an evaluation on the completion of the course, which will form the basis for any changes to the course.