Course syllabus History of Military Thought 500 B.C.-2000

Applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree with major in humanities, social sciences, or a Military Officers degree (minimum 180 ECTS credits). They should have 30 ECTS credits in history with a specialization in military history, history of philosophy (thought) or economic history. In addition, knowledge of English is required equivalent to English B or English 6 (applicants holding a Swedish bachelor's degree are considered to have already met this requirement).

The main purpose of the course is to introduce the main strands in the history of military thought. The course explores the contribution of important thinkers to the broader military field in order to provide a foundation in military theoretical knowledge for further study during the progression of the programme. The central themes in the history of military thought are presented chronologically.

The course starts with lectures and individual studies aimed at understanding the main strands of military thinking from a historical perspective. The seminars in combination with related written assigments, give perspectives on context and factors of change in military thinking as well as giving insights into scientific writing andf discussion. Combined the teaching activities makes the foundations for the final paper.

Type of Instruction

Seminars

Lectures

Independent Study

After completed course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main strands in the history of military thought, including an understanding of the driving factors behind these.

Competence and skills

• discuss military ideas and military thinking using an appropriate theoretical historical perspective both in writing and verbally.

Judgement and approach

• independently and objectively evaluate the position of the different theoreticians in the field from a theoretical, social and ethical perspective.
• demonstrate insights into the potential and limitations of military theoretical concepts in different historical contexts.
• demonstrate the ability to develop a holistic view of the influence of military thought on major historical and social processes.

The course is examined through students active and constructive participation in obligatory seminars and through the submission of written assignments connected to these. Grading on these assigments are Fail and Pass. The course is also examined through a final individual written paper that is examined through seminar discussion. Grading on this assignment is Fail, Pass or Pass with Distinction.

In the event that a student is awarded the grade Fail, the examiner has the right to determine appropriate supplementary tasks that are to be successfully completed by the student in order to be upgraded to a Pass on the course. The student has three working days to complete these supplementary tasks after they have been notified. In the absence of examiner approval, examinations received late due to extenuating circumstances are not assessed.

Grading

The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail, Pass and Pass with Distinction. Grading criteria are reported at the latest at the start of the course.

To obtain the grade Pass (G) for the course, the student must achieve the grade Pass (G) for the seminars and related written assignments, and the grade Pass (G) for the seminar-examined final paper. To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) for the course, the student must, in addition to the requirements for a Pass (G), achieve the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) for the seminar-examined final paper.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations

The number of examinations is 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.

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

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