General provisions

The Hugo Valentin Centre, Uppsala University, is responsible for the course.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Proficiency in English.

Learning outcomes

After the completed course the student will be able to:

• Understand and critically analyse general sociological and social psychological theories on the cognitive and structural properties of social identity, the social psychological mechanisms involved in intergroup distance and hostility towards out-groups, as well as the social and cultural factors at work during social mobilisation
• Critically discuss the major social and social-psychological theories of violence and their relation to fundamental theoretical perspectives in the social sciences
• Independently compare and analyse similarities and differences between various types of collective violence such as ethnic wars, regular warfare, massacres, and genocidal campaigns
• Use the acquired theoretical tools for independent reflection on instances of mass violence

Content

The course addresses sociological and social psychological theories of violence, focusing on the dynamics of group behaviour and social factors influencing acts of violence. It deals with the intermediate level in genocidal situations, but also with "spontaneous" and organised violence in various contexts, such as pogroms and massacres, occurring independently or during civil war and regular warfare. The goal is to identify mechanisms of violence, using a comprehensive approach based on classical and recent discussions on the character and progression of collective violence, as understood by different theoretical perspectives, and taking into account general theories on social identity, cognitive processes, and mobilisation.

Instruction

Instructions will include lectures and seminars, as well as oral and written assignments.

Assessment

Continuous oral and written examination, as well as a final exam. The final exam must be handed in before deadline in order to be considered during the grading process. Students who have not submitted obligatory assignments have until the end of the semester to do so in accordance with teacher instructions.