Description

The course offers an introduction and a basic orientation in the IR theoretical thinking about war. While being based in IR theory, the course is more concerned with concepts and conceptualizations of “war,” and as such also makes use of works from other fields including literature and literary analysis. The themes of the ever evolving nature and understanding of war are stressed, and this evolution will be used as a means to introduce and explore post-Westphalian concepts regarding political order and political action.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
– Orientate themselves within the wide-ranging concepts, philosophies, and arguments regarding war;
– Distil the content of an argument;
– Provide meaningful and objective critique of that argument;
– Analyze a wide spectrum of arguments as part of a single work;
– Propose, develop, present, and defend a research project engaging with the main scholars of war as well as with primary data.

*Course content subject to change