Programme syllabus Master's Programme in Politics, Security and War
Swedish name: Masterprogram i politik, säkerhet och krig
Scope:
120.0 credits
Program code:
2PSK1
Valid from semester:
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Department:
Department of Political Science and Law
Decided by:
Forsknings- och utbildningsnämnden vid Försvarshögskolan (FoUN)
Decision date:
2021-09-09
The main content and format of the programme
Programme Structure
The Master's Programme in Politics and War (120 credits) is an international master's programme. Students may choose to write a master's thesis and complete the programme after one year and will then be awarded a one-year master's degree. Students are offered two tracks, I: Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security (main field of study) and II: War Studies (main field of study).
The general aim of the programme is that the students acquire the knowledge and skills within the main field of study in order to be able to – on a scientific basis – critically scrutinize, evaluate and analyse political or military phenomena. The student acquires knowledge and skills that enable him/her to independent and critical judgment, to independently solve problems, and to follow the development at the research front in the fields of political science with a focus on crisis management and security or war studies.
Students will be given the opportunity to continuously develop their knowledge of research methodology and apply a scientific, research-based approach. Students are expected to take an increasing amount of responsibility for their own learning as the course progresses, gradually accumulating professional and research-based knowledge and skills.
Students are encouraged to create and develop both a national and international contacts. The master's programme affords students the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and skills training through internships and work placement. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed systematically on written and oral presentations. Academic progression on the programme should lead to a higher degree of intellectual maturity and deeper insight into the complexity of the subject. These attributes are evident and demonstrated in a final thesis, along with the ability to integrate knowledge and skills and independently formulate and solve problem statements. Successful applicants admitted to the programme are assumed to have previously acquired a grounding in qualitative and quantitative methodology. Knowledge of second cycle advanced methodology is necessary for the essay-writing requirements of the programme.
The programme addresses central issues and perspectives in relation to security, defence and societal protection. This includes the study of the conditions and factors that may impact the prevention and management of crises, conflicts and war and the ability to establish security. Important ethical issues will naturally arise during analysis and evaluation of these factors and will be addressed on several of the courses. A wide range of theoretical perspectives will be applied, including that of gender (for example, by studying UN resolution 1325) in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the phenomena.
Teaching is conducted in close cooperation with stakeholders and community involvement. It takes place at the Swedish Defence University (SEDU), a unique meeting point for scholars and students, military and civilian professionals, who have an interest in crisis management and security issues. The University has a well-established tradition of institutional cooperation with other actors in the sector, not least with two central authorities, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. This encourages students on the programme to consider and speculate on how knowledge may be applied in practice and enhances the potential for internship opportunities and suitable work placements.
Contents
Track I: POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A FOCUS ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY
The first semester provides students with an advanced grounding both in political science theory with a focus on crisis and security, as well as in research methodology. The second semester consists of a number of advanced, elective courses. Students may choose to write a one-year master's thesis during the final part of the second semester. Students opting for this will, after having completed all courses, have the option to be awarded a one-year Master's degree. The third semester is devoted entirely to the Master's thesis. In the fourth semester, students have considerable freedom to choose from and outside courses offered by SEDU, including an internship.
Track II: WAR STUDIES
The first semester provides students with an advanced grounding in both war studies theory and research methodology. The second semester consists of a number of advanced, elective courses. Students may choose to write a one-year master's thesis during the final part of the second semester. Students opting for this will, after having completed all courses, have the option to be awarded a one-year Master's degree. The third semester is devoted entirely to the Master's thesis. In the fourt semester, students have considerable freedom to choose from and outside courses offered by SEDU, including an internship. The fourth semester is devoted entirely to the degree project.
The Master's Programme in Politics and War (120 credits) is an international master's programme. Students may choose to write a master's thesis and complete the programme after one year and will then be awarded a one-year master's degree. Students are offered two tracks, I: Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security (main field of study) and II: War Studies (main field of study).
The general aim of the programme is that the students acquire the knowledge and skills within the main field of study in order to be able to – on a scientific basis – critically scrutinize, evaluate and analyse political or military phenomena. The student acquires knowledge and skills that enable him/her to independent and critical judgment, to independently solve problems, and to follow the development at the research front in the fields of political science with a focus on crisis management and security or war studies.
Students will be given the opportunity to continuously develop their knowledge of research methodology and apply a scientific, research-based approach. Students are expected to take an increasing amount of responsibility for their own learning as the course progresses, gradually accumulating professional and research-based knowledge and skills.
Students are encouraged to create and develop both a national and international contacts. The master's programme affords students the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and skills training through internships and work placement. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed systematically on written and oral presentations. Academic progression on the programme should lead to a higher degree of intellectual maturity and deeper insight into the complexity of the subject. These attributes are evident and demonstrated in a final thesis, along with the ability to integrate knowledge and skills and independently formulate and solve problem statements. Successful applicants admitted to the programme are assumed to have previously acquired a grounding in qualitative and quantitative methodology. Knowledge of second cycle advanced methodology is necessary for the essay-writing requirements of the programme.
The programme addresses central issues and perspectives in relation to security, defence and societal protection. This includes the study of the conditions and factors that may impact the prevention and management of crises, conflicts and war and the ability to establish security. Important ethical issues will naturally arise during analysis and evaluation of these factors and will be addressed on several of the courses. A wide range of theoretical perspectives will be applied, including that of gender (for example, by studying UN resolution 1325) in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the phenomena.
Teaching is conducted in close cooperation with stakeholders and community involvement. It takes place at the Swedish Defence University (SEDU), a unique meeting point for scholars and students, military and civilian professionals, who have an interest in crisis management and security issues. The University has a well-established tradition of institutional cooperation with other actors in the sector, not least with two central authorities, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. This encourages students on the programme to consider and speculate on how knowledge may be applied in practice and enhances the potential for internship opportunities and suitable work placements.
Contents
Track I: POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A FOCUS ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY
The first semester provides students with an advanced grounding both in political science theory with a focus on crisis and security, as well as in research methodology. The second semester consists of a number of advanced, elective courses. Students may choose to write a one-year master's thesis during the final part of the second semester. Students opting for this will, after having completed all courses, have the option to be awarded a one-year Master's degree. The third semester is devoted entirely to the Master's thesis. In the fourth semester, students have considerable freedom to choose from and outside courses offered by SEDU, including an internship.
Track II: WAR STUDIES
The first semester provides students with an advanced grounding in both war studies theory and research methodology. The second semester consists of a number of advanced, elective courses. Students may choose to write a one-year master's thesis during the final part of the second semester. Students opting for this will, after having completed all courses, have the option to be awarded a one-year Master's degree. The third semester is devoted entirely to the Master's thesis. In the fourt semester, students have considerable freedom to choose from and outside courses offered by SEDU, including an internship. The fourth semester is devoted entirely to the degree project.
Courses
Both compulsory and elective courses within the programme are offered once a year. The range of elective courses may vary from year to year and may also be limited on the basis of the students' priorities.
The range of elective courses is established one semester in advance, after which the students are informed of the selection and the date of the selection process.
Compulsory courses
TRACK I: POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A FOUCS ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY
Politics, Security and Crisis (15 credits)
Methods (15 credits)
Master's Thesis (30 credits)
TRACK II: WAR STUDIES
The Study of War and Conflict (15 credits)
Methods (15 credits)
Master's Thesis (30 credits)
Elective courses in both tracks
Semesters 2 & 4
Examples of elective courses (the range of courses may vary):
Gender, Security and War (7,5 credits)
Political Psychology and Crisis Management (7,5 credits)
European Security and Crisis Management (7,5 credits)
The Sit Room: Executing US Strategy (7,5 credits)
Modern Peace-Support Operations (7,5 credits)
Proxy Wars, Interventions and Covert Operations (7,5 credits)
One-year Master’s Thesis (15 credits)
Internship (30 credits) (Elective course semester 4)
The range of elective courses is established one semester in advance, after which the students are informed of the selection and the date of the selection process.
Compulsory courses
TRACK I: POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH A FOUCS ON CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY
Politics, Security and Crisis (15 credits)
Methods (15 credits)
Master's Thesis (30 credits)
TRACK II: WAR STUDIES
The Study of War and Conflict (15 credits)
Methods (15 credits)
Master's Thesis (30 credits)
Elective courses in both tracks
Semesters 2 & 4
Examples of elective courses (the range of courses may vary):
Gender, Security and War (7,5 credits)
Political Psychology and Crisis Management (7,5 credits)
European Security and Crisis Management (7,5 credits)
The Sit Room: Executing US Strategy (7,5 credits)
Modern Peace-Support Operations (7,5 credits)
Proxy Wars, Interventions and Covert Operations (7,5 credits)
One-year Master’s Thesis (15 credits)
Internship (30 credits) (Elective course semester 4)
Objectives
To be awarded a Master’s degree, the student shall:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
To be awarded a Master’s degree, the student shall:
Judgement and approach
To be awarded a Master’s degree, the student shall:
Independent research project - Master's thesis
The programme requires students to complete an independent research project, (Master’s Thesis) in either Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security or War Studies. The research project may comprise fewer than 30 credits, although no fewer than 15 credits, if the student has previously completed an independent degree project comprising 15 credits, on second cycle level, in the main field of study or equivalent from another educational programme overseas.
Knowledge and understanding
- show knowledge and understanding within the mail field of study – either Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security, or War Studies - including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
- demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
To be awarded a Master’s degree, the student shall:
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames
- demonstrate the ability in speech and writing to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
To be awarded a Master’s degree, the student shall:
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Independent research project - Master's thesis
The programme requires students to complete an independent research project, (Master’s Thesis) in either Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security or War Studies. The research project may comprise fewer than 30 credits, although no fewer than 15 credits, if the student has previously completed an independent degree project comprising 15 credits, on second cycle level, in the main field of study or equivalent from another educational programme overseas.
Entry requirements
Track I: Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security
Academic qualifications required: a Bachelor's degree corresponding to 180 credits, of which 90 credits must be in Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security or another relevant subject such as Public Administration, International Relations, or Peace and Conflict Studies. A graded, independent research project (BA thesis) or the equivalent (for applicants with foreign academic qualifications).
In addition, a level of proficiency in the English language, corresponding to English B/English 6 or equivalent (for example, IELTS level 6.5 and above) is required. Students applying with a Swedish Bachelor's degree meet this requirement. Certain elective courses may have additional entry requirements in order to ensure students can properly benefit from the course.
Track II: War Studies
Academic qualifications required: the Officers’ Programme degree or a Bachelor's degree corresponding to 180 credits, of which 90 credits must be in War Studies or another relevant subject such as International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, security Studies, or Political Science. A graded independent research project (BA thesis) or the equivalent (for applicants with foreign academic qualifications).
In addition, a level of proficiency in the English language, corresponding to English B/English 6 (students with a Swedish Bachelor's degree meet this requirement) is required.
Certain elective courses may have additional entry requirements in order to ensure students can properly benefit from the course.
Academic qualifications required: a Bachelor's degree corresponding to 180 credits, of which 90 credits must be in Political Science with a focus on Crisis Management and Security or another relevant subject such as Public Administration, International Relations, or Peace and Conflict Studies. A graded, independent research project (BA thesis) or the equivalent (for applicants with foreign academic qualifications).
In addition, a level of proficiency in the English language, corresponding to English B/English 6 or equivalent (for example, IELTS level 6.5 and above) is required. Students applying with a Swedish Bachelor's degree meet this requirement. Certain elective courses may have additional entry requirements in order to ensure students can properly benefit from the course.
Track II: War Studies
Academic qualifications required: the Officers’ Programme degree or a Bachelor's degree corresponding to 180 credits, of which 90 credits must be in War Studies or another relevant subject such as International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, security Studies, or Political Science. A graded independent research project (BA thesis) or the equivalent (for applicants with foreign academic qualifications).
In addition, a level of proficiency in the English language, corresponding to English B/English 6 (students with a Swedish Bachelor's degree meet this requirement) is required.
Certain elective courses may have additional entry requirements in order to ensure students can properly benefit from the course.
Degree
The programme leads to a Master's degree in either Political Science: Security Studies or War Studies.
The Master's Degree titles awarded are as follows:
Students who have completed a one-year Master's thesis may, be awarded a one-year Master's degree (60 credits).
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in Political Science: Security Studies.
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in War Studies.
The Master's Degree titles awarded are as follows:
- Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Political Science: Security Studies
- Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in War Studies.
Students who have completed a one-year Master's thesis may, be awarded a one-year Master's degree (60 credits).
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in Political Science: Security Studies.
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in War Studies.
Other regulations
Eligibility for courses for students admitted to the programme: In order for the student to be admitted to some courses during the latter part of the programme, certain qualifications are required in addition to being admitted to the programme. Students must have a certain number of approved higher education credits from certain specified courses during the previous part of the programme. Exact provisions can be found in the relevant syllabus.
Interim regulations
In the event that this programme is no longer available or the content of the programme has changed significantly, the student is entitled to be examined on courses within the programme once per semester over a period of six semesters. During this period the restrictions specified in the individual course syllabi apply.
Teaching is conducted in English
Interim regulations
In the event that this programme is no longer available or the content of the programme has changed significantly, the student is entitled to be examined on courses within the programme once per semester over a period of six semesters. During this period the restrictions specified in the individual course syllabi apply.
Teaching is conducted in English