The history of 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. The course covers the period from antiquity until the end of the 20th century. 

The course will be given entirely in English, but Swedish speaking students may choose to write their individual assignments in Swedish. 

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 including 30 ECTS on BA level, 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 foremost of self-governed reading and analysis of the course literature structured by a study guide made available through the course's web-based learning platform. The course will be thematically structured and each theme will be concluded by a mandatory graded (Pass/Fail) seminar. Seminars will be conducted online in writing on the course learning platform or orally using web-based conference systems such as zoom. For students present in Umeå, seminars may be conducted on campus. In some seminars, special attention will be given to the analysis of historical source texts.   
 
Students are required to have access to a computer equipped with microphone and web-camera as well as a stable internet connection in order to facilitate on-line seminar attendance. 
 
 

Examination modes

The examination consists mainly of two individual written assignments, but a series of mandatory seminars are also included in the examination of the course. 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 recieve a pass. The final grade of the course is a summary assessment of the results and decided only after all mandatory parts are passed. 
 

Students who fail the examination have a right to retake the examination within two months after the first examination, but not earlier than 10 working days after the results from the original examination has been given to the students and a copy of the exam has been made available. A For tests conducted during the months of May and June, the first re-test may be offered within three months of the regular test. In addition, at least one more re-examination must be offered within one year of the regular exam. A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.  

The examiner can decide to adapt the form of examination, specified in the syllabus, to accommodate a student's needs. Individual adaptation of the form of examination should be considered according to a student's needs. Any change to the form of examination must be made within the framework of the curriculum's expected study results. Students who need an adapted examination must request it from the institution responsible for the course no later than 10 working days before the examination. It is the examiner who decides on the adapted examination and then notifies the student.