Course syllabus When war comes to the city: Urban wars and urban warfare
Swedish name: När kriget möter staden: Urbana krig och urban krigföring
Course code:
2KR029
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2024
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
War Studies
Department:
Department of War Studies and Military History
Subject:
War Studies
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2022-06-21
Entry requirements
Officer's degree or bachelor's degree of 180 credits, of which 90 credits in War Studies or equivalent subject.
Course content and structure
The course aims to support and challenge the student to build extensive and deep knowledge of urban warfare and urban warfare, its history and contemporary features and consequences. The focus of the course is on the mutual relationship between cities and war, as well as how these phenomena have shaped each other throughout history, and in our time shape each other. Based on current research in the field and in military thinking about cities and wars, the course addresses the following central issues: Can urban warfare today be seen as something new, given the long history of war in and against cities? How is it that cities often become targets in wars and conflicts? What are the characteristics of contemporary urban warfare? How do military organizations produce knowledge about the city as an operating environment? What consequences can war in and against cities have in the short and long term, not least for the civilian population? Can you kill a city?
Based on the above questions, and through lectures, self-study and compulsory seminars, the student generates knowledge of theoretical approaches and premises for studies of contemporary urban warfare and urban warfare. During the course, special emphasis is placed on dialogue and active learning, where the student develops his ability to analyze the course's issues based on consciously chosen theoretical approaches and premises.
Type of instruction
Based on the above questions, and through lectures, self-study and compulsory seminars, the student generates knowledge of theoretical approaches and premises for studies of contemporary urban warfare and urban warfare. During the course, special emphasis is placed on dialogue and active learning, where the student develops his ability to analyze the course's issues based on consciously chosen theoretical approaches and premises.
Type of instruction
- Seminars
- lectures
- independent study
Objectives
After completing course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
• Explain how the political, social, material and symbolic dimensions of the urban shape urban warfare and urban wars.
Skills and Abilities
• Critically evaluate key arguments, premises and theoretical approaches in current research on urban warfare and urban warfare.
Judgment and approach
• Independently analyze and problematize historical and contemporary examples of urban wars and urban warfare based on theoretical approaches and relevant empirical data.
Knowledge and understanding
• Explain how the political, social, material and symbolic dimensions of the urban shape urban warfare and urban wars.
Skills and Abilities
• Critically evaluate key arguments, premises and theoretical approaches in current research on urban warfare and urban warfare.
Judgment and approach
• Independently analyze and problematize historical and contemporary examples of urban wars and urban warfare based on theoretical approaches and relevant empirical data.
Examination formats
The course is examined through active participation in compulsory seminars and three written assignments in the form of a PM. The examiner can decide on supplementation so that the grade passed on an assignment can be achieved. The student has three working days available for completion after a supplementary assignment has been announced, unless there are special reasons and approved by the examiner. Late written assignments are not graded unless there are special and examiner-approved reasons.
Grading
Grading is done through a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).
For the grade passed (G), a passed grade is required for all written assignments, as well as active and constructive participation in compulsory seminars.
For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), in addition to the requirements for the grade Pass, well pass with at least two of three of the written assignments.
Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Grading
Grading is done through a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).
For the grade passed (G), a passed grade is required for all written assignments, as well as active and constructive participation in compulsory seminars.
For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), in addition to the requirements for the grade Pass, well pass with at least two of three of the written assignments.
Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
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.
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 a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University on educational support due to disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
Course evaluation is carried out after completion of the course through the course convener and represents the basis for any changes to the course.
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.
If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University on educational support due to disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
Course evaluation is carried out after completion of the course through the course convener and represents the basis for any changes to the course.
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.