PROGRAMME SYLLABUS

Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) with a major in Global Studies specialisation in Conflict, Risk and International Security

Filosofie magisterexamen med huvudområdet globala studier inriktning konflikt, risk och internationell säkerhet

The master programme in Conflict, Risk and International Security (CRIS) covers key issues and perspectives concerning international security, anchored in the field of security studies. The students will learn to analyse conflicts and risks with a special focus on interstate and civil wars and terrorism. This includes knowledge of the factors behind violent conflicts and how they relate to changing conditions in the international state system and local societies. The program offers diverse perspectives on managing conflicts at different levels. At the national level this includes how different actors can manage, for example, hybrid threats and interethnic conflicts. At the international level conflict management can be conducted through international law and organizations such as the UN, Nato, EU and other regional organisations.

Knowledge of the key issues of international security is conveyed and acquired through lectures, seminar discussions and independent work. In addition to our own researchers, guest lecturers from academia, relevant authorities and non-governmental organisations will offer theoretical and practical perspectives on violent conflicts and associated risks. The students are expected to have a high level of independence in their studies, presenting their analyses both in writing and orally. Throughout the education, great importance is placed on both written and oral presentations. Progression in the education should lead to a higher degree of intellectual maturity and deeper insights into the complexity of the subject. Within the master's education, opportunities are also provided for knowledge acquisition and practicing skills through internships.

Throughout the programme, perspectives from academics, relevant authorities and other practitioners seek to strike a balance between the theory and practice of international security. The emphasis is on how key issues of international security relating to, for example, interstate wars, civil wars, terrorism, and hybrid threats, cut across different countries and world regions, and how different theoretical perspectives can be applied in local settings.

Security studies is an interdisciplinary field and includes perspectives on, for example, human rights, sustainability, and gender as analytically interesting factors in violent conflicts. Students also learn to recognise, analyse, and reflect on international security issues and their development in various historical and geographical settings. In addition, students acquire key competences for the professional world, such as engaging in independent work, cooperation, and developing analytical skills. The students can also study project planning as an elective course.

The programme consists of two semesters for the one-year master’s degree.1) The initial course of the first semester introduces students to the field of security studies focusing on different theories and analytical perspectives. The following two courses provide greater focus on different types of wars and terrorism. The final course delves into risk management in society when faced with the risk of violent conflict. 2) The second semester first introduces the students to research methodology and finishes with a 15-credits master’s thesis course.

One academic year consists of 40 study weeks, divided in two semesters. This is equivalent to 60 credits (60 hp). Each study week consists of 1.5 credits (1,5 hp) that correspond to 40 hours of study. All courses are taught in English.

This programme is designed to educate leaders and analysts with a deep understanding of international security issues and how various theories and strategies can be applied in different settings. The students acquire the necessary critical thinking skills to inform policy both in international, national and local contexts. Upon completion of the programme, you will have enhanced your existing knowledge of conflict, risk and international security and will have the relevant theoretical and practical knowledge to take on high-level roles in government agencies, non-government organisations and private firms. The programme also prepares students for the possibility to apply for further studies on third cycle, i.e., doctoral programs. Students graduating from the programme are thus prepared for both post-graduate studies in various research areas related to international security, and for qualified positions at various levels of society.

General aims
Second cycle education shall essentially build on the knowledge students acquire in first cycle education or corresponding knowledge. Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills, and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education, shall:

• further develop the students’ ability to independently integrate and use knowledge
• develop the students’ ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues, and situations
• develop the students’ potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research.

Programmespecific learning goals
For a Degree of Master (60 credits) the student shall:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

• demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and analyse, assess, and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and autonomous employment in some qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social, and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Degree of Master (60 credits) is completion by the student of an independent degree project (master’s thesis) for at least 15 credits in Global Studies, specialisation in Conflict, Risk and International Security.

The programme consists of the following courses. For details about each course please consult the course curricula. The courses that are included in the specialisation are marked below.

Please note that the program table below is not a set program structure but an overview of the approximate time a course is given.

Course changes can occur, as long as they do not substantially affect the programme’s content and learning goals.

Semester	Course Name	Credits	Main field of study	Specialised in	Course Code
1	Risk Management and Society	7.5	Global Studies	A1N	L2RMAS
1	Security studies	7.5	Global Studies	A1N	L2SSZE
1	War and Changing World Orders	7.5	Global Studies	A1N	L2WACW
1	Waves of Terrorism	7.5	Global Studies	A1N	L2WOTU
2	Research Methods 1 in Global Studies	7.5
2	Research Methods 2 in Global Studies	7.5
2	Master’s Thesis in Global Studies	15

To pass a course, the student needs to fulfil all the course requirements. Examination takes place in the form of written exams, oral exams, or term papers. Different methods of examination can be used within a single course. The student will be offered at least three examination opportunities in each examination period. The university is not obligated to offer re-exams in courses that a student already has passed. Mandatory workshops and assignments can exist within a course. The courses within the programme are graded A-F or Pass (G)/Fail (U). Grades A-E all constitute passing grades and grades FX and F are equal to Fail. For most workshops and mandatory group assignments, only Pass (G) or Fail (U) is given.

Specific entry requirements within the programme are set out in the course curricula.

To obtain the Master of Science (60 credits) with a major in Global Studies, specialisation in Conflict, Risk and International Security, the student must complete the course requirements of at least 60 credits at the higher education level that were not used for the bachelor's degree, including a 15-credit master's thesis in Global Studies, specialisation in Conflict, Risk and International Security.

The degree certificate will be issued after formal application from student.

The programme is evaluated at the end of the second semester. This evaluation work is carried out in collaboration between students and the programme director. Each course is also evaluated according to the regulations and guidelines for first, second and third cycle education at Jönköping University.

The programme targets both Swedish and international students from all over the world in order to obtain the best possible learning environment for the students. The programme is collaborating with the undergraduate programme in Society and Security, as well as the established research environments at the School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University. The programme also has an ambition to collaborate with strategic partner universities as well as other organisations and institutions engaged in international security issues to broaden the perspectives and opportunities for the students.

Regulations regarding accreditation of completed and passed university education at another Swedish or foreign higher education institution are found in “Regulations and guidelines for first-, second- and third – cycle education at Jönköping University”, BRJU.