Entry requirements

30 credits completed courses within Social Science or Humanities, and English 6

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

The course is not part of any main field of studies.

Course contents

The course unfolds in three steps. The first module (2.5 credits) introduces predictions and findings from earlier research on territorial conflicts. The second module (2.5 credits) focuses on the separatist and irredentist wars that erupted in Eurasia after the Soviet collapse. The third module (10 credits) is about subjecting either general theories or specific cases to critical evaluation in light of the other.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

1. describe concepts and theories relevant for understanding nationalism and territorial conflicts;
2. account for empirical events relating to different border conflicts in Post-Soviet Eurasia;
3. compare theoretical predictions to empirical occurrences on this topic in a critical fashion;
4. assess the purported causes behind and potential solutions to conflict cases from the region;
5. formulate arguments in academic format and contribute to a common learning environment.

Learning activities

The course runs full-time and is distance-based. Teaching revolves around lectures, assignments to be handed in, and interactive discussions. Apart from these encounters, students are expected to set aside time for their own reading and independent preparations ahead of segments subject to assessment.

Assessment

Module 1 (2.5 credits) and learning outcome 1 and 5 is assessed through active participation in interactive online discussions or in the form of an individual assignment. Grades are G – U.

Module 2 (2.5 credits) and learning outcome 2 and 5 is assessed through active participation in interactive online discussions or in the form of an individual assignment. Grades are G – U.

Module 3 (10 credits) and learning outcome 3 through 5 is assessed using a problem-based group exercise and an individual take-home exam. Grades are A – B – C – D – E – U.

All three modules must be passed to obtain a course grade. It is determined through the last module. In addition to the regular take-home exam, two extra occasions to submit the take-home exam are offered the same term. The examiner can, in consultation with Learning Support Services, deviate from regular examination forms in order to enable a disabled student to be assessed under equivalent conditions.

Course literature

Kaufman, S. 2001. Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. [280 pages].

Siroky, D. 2011. “Explaining Secession” in A. Pavkovic & P. Radan (eds.) The Ashgate Research Companion to Secession. Burlington: Ashgate. [35 pages]

Varshney, A. 2007. “Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict” in C. Boix & S. Stokes (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [20 pages]

A large number of required readings in the form of journal articles and book chapters, amounting to about 1000 pages, are also part of the course literature.

Course evaluation

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

Interim rules

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented.

Additional information

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format.

The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.