Course syllabus Master’s Thesis, War Studies

Courses comprising at least 30 higher education credits from the first year of the master's programme, including Use of Force (15 credits) and Methods (15 credits), or equivalent, must have a grade of at least Pass in order to qualify.

The purpose of the course is that the participants shall independently conduct a well-defined scientific study in the subject of war studies. This is accomplished by the student independently planning, conducting a Master’s thesis as well as acting as a student reviewer of another Master's thesis both verbally and in writing. The course thus aims to practice conducting research and provide an opportunity to formulate and answer a research problem based on the current state of research in the subject. Instruction in the course takes place mainly in the form of seminars and through individual supervision. On occasion lectures may be included. The results of the master's thesis shall contribute to advancing research in the subject of war studies.

Type of Instruction

Seminars

Lectures

Supervision

After completed course the student should be able to:

• Based on the current state of research, independently formulate a war studies problem, delimit it, and perform a study relevant to the problem that demonstrates considerable theoretical and methodological awareness.
• Critically and independently present the subject area and thereby demonstrate in-depth knowledge within parts of the subject area.
• Demonstrate in-depth methodological knowledge within the subject area.
• Perform a professional study that includes evaluation and analysis of complex empirical and theoretical texts.
• Present and discuss conclusions that have a clear connection to the problem and purpose and/or questions.
• Critically and constructively evaluate the scientific theses of others based on explicit, relevant war studies criteria for good research.
• Defend and problematise the outcome of the scientific choices made during the work on the thesis.
• Critically evaluate their own contribution in relation to the research area, state of knowledge and social context, and thereby demonstrate awareness of the possibilities and limitations of science.
• Explicitly follow established standards of research ethics and good research practice.

Master’s Thesis, War Studies
Scope: 15.0

Grading Scale: Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction

The course is assessed in mandatory seminars in which the student’s independent thesis is presented and reviewed and in which the every student acts as a discussant of another student's independent work.

Unless special circumstances exist, the student is only entitled to supervision for the thesis course during the semester in which it is held during the regular programme time. This means that the thesis shall be written and supervision provided during the spring semester that immediately follows registration in the programme, if the student is writing a master'sthesis (15 credits). If the student returns and wishes to take the thesi scourse during a later course instance, supervision is only given if resources permit. This rule does not apply to any student who has been granted approved leave from studies.

The examiner may decide to allow the submission of supplementary materials or amendments in order for a student to be awarded a passing grade. The examiner may decide that absence from mandatory seminars may be compensated by submitting a written supplementary assignment.

Grading

Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass(G) and Fail (U). Grades for the independent work are given using the scale VG, G and U. The grading scale for student reviewer work is G and U.

To earn the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must earn a VG for the independent work, a G for student reviewer work, and actively participate in the mandatory course components. To earn the grade Pass (G) for the course, the student must earn a G for the independent work, a G for student reviewer work, and actively participate in the mandatory course components.

Grading criteria are specified in the course description.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations 

The number of examinationsis not limited.

When the course is no longer given 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.

The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.

The course is given within the Master's Programme in Politics and War. The course is given in English.

On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.

If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University on special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.

This is a modified version of the course syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Kursinfo. For originals, contact the archives.

This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.