Course syllabus The Political Ecology of Crisis, Conflict and Peace
Swedish name: Den politiska ekologin av kris, konflikt och fred
Course code:
2SS093
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2026
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
Political Science: Security Studies
Department:
Department of Political Science
Subject:
Political Science
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2025-08-20
Entry requirements
180 credits of which 90 credits must have been obained in subjects in the social sciences or the humanities. English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.
Course content and structure
Political ecology is a multidisciplinary field and a set of theories that emphasize the relevance of politics in shaping the human-environment relationship. It also explores how our understanding of nature is influenced by material, ideological, and discursive powers. Given the climate crisis, escalating geopolitical tensions around natural resources, and the increasing risk of local conflicts over land and water, political ecology provides valuable insights into the human-environment relationship and enhancing sustainability. This course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and approaches needed to understand and explain crises and insecurity through the lens of political ecology.
This course focuses on the following themes within political ecology: 1) Disasters, 2) Natural Resources, and 3) Climate Action and their intersections with peace and conflict.
Lectures, Seminars.
This course focuses on the following themes within political ecology: 1) Disasters, 2) Natural Resources, and 3) Climate Action and their intersections with peace and conflict.
Type of instruction
Lectures, Seminars.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- demonstate knowledge of the main concepts and theories in political ecology in relation to crises, conflict, and peace
- demonstrate an understanding of critical debates in political ecology that are relevant to crises, conflict, and peace
Competence and skills
- analyse connections between the environment, crisis, conflict, and peace in empirical examples and practices
Judgement and approach
- critically discuss the limitations of dominant theories and methodologies in political ecology
- identify gaps in knowledge that could advance our understanding of ecology and human-environment relations during crises, conflict, and peacemaking.
Examination formats
Assessment is through an on-campus written exam, as well as active participation in mandatory seminars.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.
To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass with Distinction for the on-campus written examination.
To obtain the grade Pass (G) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass for the on-campus written examination.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.
Grading
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.
To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass with Distinction for the on-campus written examination.
To obtain the grade Pass (G) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass for the on-campus written examination.
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.