L2WACW - War and Changing World Orders

Course Code:	L2WACW
Confirmed:	Jan 28, 2026
Valid From:	Aug 31, 2026

Education Cycle:	Second-cycle level
Disciplinary domain:	Social sciences
Subject group:	Peace and Development Research
Specialised in:	A1N Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Main field of study:	Global Studies

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

demonstrate how war shapes state development, institutions, andadministrative capacity, historically and today
explain how hegemonic transitions relate to systemic change in world politics
identify different social scientific concepts and theories on the relationship between war, state development, and the global order

Skills and abilities

apply social scientific theories and concepts to historical examples and contemporary armed conflicts
communicate complex theoretical insights clearly and persuasively in seminars and written examinations

Judgement and approach

evaluate the merits and limitations of competing social scientific approaches when interpreting war and world‐order dynamics
critically reflect on the ethical and normative dimensions of war, violence and state craft with attention to global power dynamics

Content

Perspectives on war
Social science theories on war
Hegemonic and post-hegemonic influences
Contemporary conflicts and challenges
Social and military relations and development

Type of instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and exercises performed individually and in groups. A learning management system is used.

Students who have been admitted to and registered for a course have the right to receive instruction/supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course instance to which they were accepted. After that, the right to receive instruction/supervision expires.

Language of instruction is English.

Entry requirements

The applicant must hold the minimum of a bachelor’s degree (i.e. the equivalent of 180 ECTS credits at an accredited university) with at least 90 credits in social science including independent work, i.e., a thesis or the equivalent. English proficiency is required.

Examination and grades

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

The grades A, B, C, D and E are all passing grades. For courses with more than one element of examination, students are given a final grade based on an overall assessment of all the elements included in the course. The final grade of the course is issued only when all elements of examination have been passed.

The examination is based on the intended learning outcomes.

The forms of examination are seminars and individual written examination.

The examination must allow for students to be assessed on an individual basis. Furtherinformation concerning assessment of specific intended learning outcomes and grading criteriais provided at the beginning of the course.

Registration of examination:

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Seminar	2 credits	G/U
Individual written examination ¹	5.5 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F

¹Determines the final grade of the course, which is issued only when all course units have been passed.

Course evaluation

The instruction is followed up throughout the course. A course evaluation is conducted at the end of the course. A summary and comments are published in the learning management system. The evaluation constitutes a basis for future improvements to the course.

Other information

Students are guaranteed a minimum of three attempts to pass an examination, including theregular attempt.

If a student has failed the same examination three times, the student can request that the nextattempt be graded by a new examiner. The decision to accept or reject such a request is madeby the associate dean of education. A student may not make a second attempt at anyexamination already passed in order to receive a higher grade.

In case a course is terminated or significantly altered, examination according to the earlier syllabus shall be offered on at least two occasions in the course of one year after the termination/alteration.

The examiner has the right to give an adapted examination or let the student carry out the examination in an alternative way provided that the intended learning outcomes can be secured and that there are exceptional reasons for this, including the student's right to targeted study support.

Course literature

Please note that changes may be made to the reading list up until eight weeks before the start of the course.

Porter, Bruce D (1994). War and the Rise of the State. Free Press; Maxwell Macmillan. In a selection of approx. 100 pages.

Gilpin, Robert (1981). War and Change in World Politics. Cambridge University Press. In a selection of approx. 100 pages.

Keohane, Robert O (1984). After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy. Princeton University Press. In a selection of approx. 100 pages.

MacMillan, Margaret (2020). War: How Conflict Shaped Us. Random House. 336 pages.

Malešević, Siniša (2010). The Sociology of War and Violence. Cambridge University Press. 363 pages.

Articles and other literature of approximately 200 pages may be added.

Citing Sources – How to Create Literature References

https://ju.se/library/academic-language/reference-management.html

Sourcewise: A Student's Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism

Information about plagiarism at higher education institutions

Available in the learning management system

COURSE SYLLABUS