Course syllabus The Russo-Ukraine war: multidisciplinary perspectives
Swedish name: Kriget mellan Ryssland och Ukraina: mångvetenskapliga perspektiv
Course code:
3KR0007
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2026
Education cycle:
Third cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Grading scale:
Two-grade scale
Department:
Department of War Studies
Subject:
War Studies
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Entry requirements
Admitted to a doctoral programme at a national or international university.
Course content and structure
The course offers the doctoral student the opportunity to immerse him- or herself in theories and scholarship that describe, interpret and explain the war between Russia and Ukraine.
By offering opportunities for the doctoral student to position War Studies perspectives into a broadened multidisciplinary context - in particular through the research environment at the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies that focuses on the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe - the course strengthens the doctoral student’s ability to apply critical perspectives to analyses of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
The learning activities of the course provide the doctoral student with opportunities to critically reflect on military, historical, political, cultural and societal aspects of the Russo-Ukraine War, and to identify and reflect on the international implications of this war. The course engages with contrubutions made by War Studies on the importance of military culture, the relationship between technology and tactical/operational action, and highlights historical, political, cultural, and societal perspectives from the multidisciplinary research area of Baltic and East European Studies. The aim is thus to strengthen the abilities of the doctoral student to consider different aspects of, and perspectives on, the Russo-Ukraine War and to reflect on the conduct of warfare from different points of view.
Based on a War Studies knowledge base, the doctoral student builds their ability to understand war from multidisciplinary perspectives, through seminars, lectures and self-study. Through multidisciplinary insights gained from Baltic and East European Studies and through the collaboration with Södertörn University, the doctoral student is provided with opportunities to improve their ability to analyze the generation and deployment of military power in the Russo-Ukrainian war within a Baltic and East European context.
Lectures, seminars and self-study.
By offering opportunities for the doctoral student to position War Studies perspectives into a broadened multidisciplinary context - in particular through the research environment at the Centre for Baltic and East European Studies that focuses on the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe - the course strengthens the doctoral student’s ability to apply critical perspectives to analyses of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
The learning activities of the course provide the doctoral student with opportunities to critically reflect on military, historical, political, cultural and societal aspects of the Russo-Ukraine War, and to identify and reflect on the international implications of this war. The course engages with contrubutions made by War Studies on the importance of military culture, the relationship between technology and tactical/operational action, and highlights historical, political, cultural, and societal perspectives from the multidisciplinary research area of Baltic and East European Studies. The aim is thus to strengthen the abilities of the doctoral student to consider different aspects of, and perspectives on, the Russo-Ukraine War and to reflect on the conduct of warfare from different points of view.
Based on a War Studies knowledge base, the doctoral student builds their ability to understand war from multidisciplinary perspectives, through seminars, lectures and self-study. Through multidisciplinary insights gained from Baltic and East European Studies and through the collaboration with Södertörn University, the doctoral student is provided with opportunities to improve their ability to analyze the generation and deployment of military power in the Russo-Ukrainian war within a Baltic and East European context.
Type of instruction
Lectures, seminars and self-study.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the doctoral student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- explain how analyses of the Russo-Ukraine War based on research in War Studies can be broadened and deepened with knowledge drawn from other disciplines
- identify the contribution of Baltic and East European Studies to War Studies
Competence and skills
- combine theories in War Studies with multidisciplinary perspectives to describe, interpret and explain the Russo-Ukraine War
- problematise and critically evaluate the central arguments and concepts within Baltic and East European Studies
Judgement and approach
- evaluate theories and research in War Studies to describe, interpret and explain the Russo-Ukraine War
- independently reflect on the different perspectives of state and non-state actors on the causes and consequences of the war
- critically reflect on the international implications of the war.
Examination formats
Assessment is conducted through active participation in mandatory seminars and the submission of a shorter written assignment and a more extended written assignment.
The student is graded on a two-point grading scale: Fail (U) and Pass (G). Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
To earn the grade Pass (G), the doctoral student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and have attained a grade of Pass (G) on the two written assignments.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Grading
The student is graded on a two-point grading scale: Fail (U) and Pass (G). Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
To earn the grade Pass (G), the doctoral student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and have attained a grade of Pass (G) on the two written assignments.
Restrictions in number of examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
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.
- Upon completion of the course, the course director will conduct an evaluation, which informs any changes to the course.