Political violence, 7.5 Credits

Contents

This course focuses on different historical examples of political violence both from "below" and "above" such as popular risings and revolutions, terrorism, acts of genocide and state-sanctioned terror directed towards the state’s own citizens. Political violence in terms of regular warfare between states will not be included in the course other than in passing for contextual reasons. Within the course, political/ideological as well as social, religious, philosophical/ethical and other relevant causes and justifications for political violence will be discussed and analysed, as well as the relevance of these historical examples for the understanding of contemporary developments.

Expected learning outcomes

After having completed the course the students will have displayed:
Knowledge and understanding:

• comprehensive knowledge about the history of popular risings, terrorism, genocide and state sanctioned terror directed towards the state’s own citizens.
• comprehensive knowledge about different scholarly models of explaining the rise and causes of different kinds of political violence.
• comprehensive knowledge about how these acts of political violence have been justified by the perpetrators themselves through history.
• comprehensive knowledge about how concepts such as violence, terror, terrorism and genocide have been defined and how these definitions have been argued for.

Skill and ability:

• an ability to discuss and assess different scholarly models of explaining the rise and causes of different kinds of political violence.
• an ability to discuss and assess different justifications for the use of political violence.
• an ability to discuss and assess how concepts such as violence, terror, terrorism and genocide have been defined and how these definitions have been argued for.
• an ability to formulate these learning outcomes in speech and/or writing.

Assessment and attitude:

• an ability to independently formulate and analyse a scholarly problem in relation to the wider topic of the course.

Required Knowledge

University: 90 ECTS credits in  history or history of science and ideas, or a Degree encompassing at least 180 ECTS credits, or similar. English A/6. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Instruction consists of self-governed reading and analysis of the course literature governed and structured by reading instructions, study queries and written assignments which will be made available through the course’s web-based learning platform. Mandatory examining seminars will occur. For students present in Umeå, seminars may be conducted on campus rather than on-line. The course does not include lectures.
 
Students are required to have access to a computer and a stable internet connection.
 
 

Examination modes

The examination consists of individual written assignments. Assignments should be written in English. Mandatory examining seminars will occur.
 
On the course as a whole, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). In order to pass the course as a whole, all mandatory parts must be passed as well. The final grade of the course is a summary assessment of the results and decided only after all mandatory parts are passed.
 
For students who do not pass the regular examination there is another opportunity to do the examination within two months and a third opportunity within one year. A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.
 
A student who has failed two examinations for a course or segment of a course, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 6, section 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the Faculty of Humanities.
 
Academic credit transfer
Transfer of credits is handled by Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office. See http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/transfer-of-credits/