Bachelor in social sciences, law, or the humanities

New Wars provides the students with a theoretically informed understanding of modern warfare, the evolution of war, as well as the connection between war, politics, and society. The course introduces the most important theories and concepts of warfare. It places an emphasis on post-Cold War conflicts though it also examines historical context and long-term trends. New Wars addresses the basic question of whether the nature of war has changed, or whether it is merely the character of war that changes, and it elucidates why this question is both central and controversial to scholars of war and peace.

The nature of war - ”New Wars” theory – guerilla and asymmetrical warfare - counter-insurgency warfare - hybrid warfare - Military Operations Other Than War - terrorism

By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:

- Account for the most important theories and concepts of contemporary warfare

- Account for the most important arguments and viewpoints in the debate about the character of contemporary warfare

- Compare and reflexively discuss central arguments about the nature and manifestations of modern warfare

- Provide a critique of different theoretical perspectives and discuss their relevance for the analysis of contemporary warfare

App. 1200 pages.

A full list of literature will be available on blackboard in advance of the course. The student should expect to read a variety of classical and modern authors, including Carl von Clausewitz, Charles Callwell, Liddell Hart, Mary Kaldor, Martin Van Creveld, and Hew Strachan.

Weekly 2 hour lectures for 15 weeks

The student is expected to come prepared to class and to be ready to engage activity-based learning. This might include student presentations, in-class group work, or the preparation of brief outlines for policy briefs or assessments.

Activity	Classes
Confrontational classes (lectures, team classes)	30
Preparation	195
Practice classes (simulation game)	15
Preparation for practice classes	-
Preparation of presentation	-
Exam preparation	30.5
Exam	0.5
Total	270

Ordinary examination in June and re-exam in August.

Registration for the course is automatically a registration for the ordinary examination in the course. Cancellation is not possible. If the student does not participate in the examination, the student will use an examination attempt.

The university may grant an exemption from the rules in case of exceptional circumstances.

Examination form at the re-exam can be changed.

None

Oral exam

Individual oral exam with external evaluator. 20 minutes preparation followed by 20 minutes of examination. Auxiliary aids allowed during the preparation. Only written notes can be used during the examination.

The course is open to students from outside the MA program as well. There are no limitations.