Course syllabus Historical Perspectives on War and Geography
Swedish name: Historiska perspektiv på krig och geografi
Course code:
2MH091
Valid from semester:
Autumn Term 2026
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
History with specialisation in Military History
Department:
Department of Military History
Subject:
History with Specialization in Military History
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2025-10-21
Entry requirements
Courses in the humanities or social sciences of at least 90 credits. In addition, knowledge of English equivalent to English B or English 6 is required.
Course content and structure
The purpose of the course is that the student, by analysing an independently chosen geographic region utilising the categories war, culture and society, shall develop a comprehensive understanding of the region´s history, with an emphasis on the causes and consequences of the military conflicts in the area. The student specifies independently the historical era under which the region is studied.
The course combines self-directed study with seminar-style classes. This approach allows the student to deepen their knowledge of the selected geographical region. Seminars critically examine the overarching themes of the course, and provides possibilities for the student to practise his/her abilities to discuss relevant aspects with other students from the horizon of the chosen geographical area. This comparative element enables the student to identify similarities and differences between historical phenomena and processes across a wide range of spatial and temporal contexts. The course concludes with a written assignment in which the student further develops their thematic focus.
Seminars
Lectures
Independent studies
The course combines self-directed study with seminar-style classes. This approach allows the student to deepen their knowledge of the selected geographical region. Seminars critically examine the overarching themes of the course, and provides possibilities for the student to practise his/her abilities to discuss relevant aspects with other students from the horizon of the chosen geographical area. This comparative element enables the student to identify similarities and differences between historical phenomena and processes across a wide range of spatial and temporal contexts. The course concludes with a written assignment in which the student further develops their thematic focus.
Type of instruction
Seminars
Lectures
Independent studies
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- demonstrate in-depth knowledge of, and ability to explain, key issues in military history within the chosen geograpical region and historical era
- critically assess and articulate the current state of research in the chosen area
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of military history in the selected region, with particular attention to the relationship between war, culture, and society.
Competence and skills
- summarise, interpret, and critically evaluate scholarly literature pertaining to the history of the chosen geographical region
- independently analyse key historical research problems within the chosen geographical area
- communicate knowledge and research findings effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Judgement and approach
- engage in critical, scholarly discussion on central theoretical and conceptual perspectives pertaining to the history of the chosen geographical region
- identify the need for further knowledge in the military history of the chosen region and take responsibility for their own ongoing professional and academic development.
Examination formats
The course is examined through the student’s active and constructive participation in the mandatory course seminars, by delivery of one individiually written course-paper and an oral critical review on a fellow students course-paper.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order for the student to achieve a passing grade on the course. A supplementary assignment shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and the supplementary assignments 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.
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), and Pass with Distinction (VG) for the indvidually written course-paper, and a two-point grading scale, Fail (U), Pass (G), for participation in mandatory seminars including an oral critical review of a fellow students course-paper.
In order to gain a Pass (G) on the course, a Pass (G) is required for the course-paper and the participation in the mandatory seminars. To gain a Pass with Distinction (VG) on the course, a VG is required for the course-paper and a Pass (G) in the seminars.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order for the student to achieve a passing grade on the course. A supplementary assignment shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and the supplementary assignments 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) for the indvidually written course-paper, and a two-point grading scale, Fail (U), Pass (G), for participation in mandatory seminars including an oral critical review of a fellow students course-paper.
In order to gain a Pass (G) on the course, a Pass (G) is required for the course-paper and the participation in the mandatory seminars. To gain a Pass with Distinction (VG) on the course, a VG is required for the course-paper and a Pass (G) in the seminars.
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.
- Upon completion of the course, the course director will conduct an evaluation, which informs any changes to the course.