Course syllabus Ontologies of War
Swedish name: Krigets ontologier
Course code:
3KR0006
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2025
Education cycle:
Third cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
undefined
Grading scale:
Two-grade scale
Main field of study:
Department:
Department of War Studies
Subject:
War Studies
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott
Decision date:
2025-01-21
Entry requirements
Admitted to a doctoral programme at a national or international university.
Course content and structure
The course aims to provide the conditions for the doctoral student to develop a solid and in-depth knowledge of the scientific study of war with a focus on the being of war, that is, what war is – its ontology(ies). Underlying, sometimes tacit, meta-theoretical assumptions shape (enable but also limit) what the researcher studies and understands as relevant and important in relation to war, its course and effects, which in turn risks obscuring other parts of the reality of war. The course problematizes these underlying assumptions of the ontology of war from three main viewpoints: traditional perspectives and contemporary interpretation(s) of these approaches; critical perspectives; and onto-epistemological perspectives. The course is structured into different modules, with teaching taking place through lectures and mandatory seminars.
Lectures
Seminars
Type of Instruction
Lectures
Seminars
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the doctoral student should be able to:
Competence and skills:
Competence and skills:
- identify the formative and underlying meta-theoretical assumptions and positions that inform different perspectives on war’s ontology
- contextualize War Studies perspectives on the being of war in relation to broader divisions and developments in the social sciences
- analyze how different meta-theoretical assumptions and positions enable as well as delimit the sensemaking of war and of what is considered relevant in the study of war.
Examination formats
Assessment
Scope: 7.5
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass
The course is examined through active and constructive participation in the seminars, and through an independently written academic paper in which the doctoral student analyzes and critically discusses how varied meta-theoretical assumptions and positions both enable and delimit the understanding of what war is and of what is considered significant and relevant in the study of war. The written academic paper should be presented at a final seminar, during which the doctoral student also have to act as discussant on another academic paper.
The doctoral student is graded on a two-point grading scale: Fail (U) and Pass (G). To obtain the grade Pass (G), the doctoral student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars, and have achieved the grade Pass (G) on the academic paper and in the role as discussant on another academic paper.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Scope: 7.5
Grading Scale: Fail, Pass
The course is examined through active and constructive participation in the seminars, and through an independently written academic paper in which the doctoral student analyzes and critically discusses how varied meta-theoretical assumptions and positions both enable and delimit the understanding of what war is and of what is considered significant and relevant in the study of war. The written academic paper should be presented at a final seminar, during which the doctoral student also have to act as discussant on another academic paper.
Grading
The doctoral student is graded on a two-point grading scale: Fail (U) and Pass (G). To obtain the grade Pass (G), the doctoral student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars, and have achieved the grade Pass (G) on the academic paper and in the role as discussant on another academic paper.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
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 doctoral 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.