Course syllabus Military Power and Modern Warfare: An Introduction to War Studies
Swedish name: Militär makt och modern krigföring: En introduktion till krigsvetenskap
Course code:
1KR004
Valid from semester:
Autumn Term 2026
Education cycle:
First cycle
Scope:
5.0 credits
Progression:
G1N
Grading scale:
Two-grade scale
Main field of study:
War Studies
Department:
Department of War Studies
Subject:
War Studies
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2026-01-20
Entry requirements
General entry requirements + English B. Or: English 6.
Course content and structure
The course provides an introduction to the subject of war studies with a focus on the phenomenon of military power, primarily in the form of military operations in contemporary warfare.
Through the study of key theoretical perspectives in the context of a number of case studies, the student achieve a fundamental understanding of the use of military power in current interstate conflicts and civil wars.
The course combines lectures, seminars and written seminar assignments in order for the the student to practice their analytical skills related to the study of how states and non-state actors use military means to achieve strategic and political objectives. Through lectures, self study and seminars the student develop an ability to identify various conditions and consequences for the use of military power in today’s conflicts.
Online lectures, self-study, and participation in mandatory web-based seminars.
Through the study of key theoretical perspectives in the context of a number of case studies, the student achieve a fundamental understanding of the use of military power in current interstate conflicts and civil wars.
The course combines lectures, seminars and written seminar assignments in order for the the student to practice their analytical skills related to the study of how states and non-state actors use military means to achieve strategic and political objectives. Through lectures, self study and seminars the student develop an ability to identify various conditions and consequences for the use of military power in today’s conflicts.
Type of instruction
Online lectures, self-study, and participation in mandatory web-based seminars.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- summarize key war studies concepts and theoretical reasoning about the use of military power and warfare
- describe the relationship between political objectives, military strategy, and the execution of military operations in different types of conflicts
Competence and skills
- apply key war studies theories and concepts in the analysis of a selection of contemporary conflicts,
- discuss central strategic and political conditions as well as consequences of the use of military power in both interstate and intrastate conflicts.
Judgement and approach
- reflect on strategic, political, and ethical dilemmas arising from the use of military power in modern warfare.
Examination formats
The course is assessed through active and constructive participation in mandatory seminars that include written assignments.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments for the student to be able to achieve a passing grade on the course. A supplementary assignment (kompletteringsuppgift) shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and the supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.
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 achieve the grade Pass (G) the student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars and earn a grade of Pass on the written seminar assignments.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments for the student to be able to achieve a passing grade on the course. A supplementary assignment (kompletteringsuppgift) shall be submitted no later than three working days after the result and the supplementary assignment for the examination in question have been notified. Examination papers submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.
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 achieve the grade Pass (G) the student must actively and constructively participate in the mandatory seminars and earn a grade of Pass on the written seminar assignments.
Restrictions in number of examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
When the course is no longer offered 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.
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.