The Social Mechanisms of Violence
Syllabus, Master's level, 5HG011
- Code
- 5HG011
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Holocaust and Genocide Studies AXX
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Finalised by
- The Department Board, 24 January 2018
- Responsible department
- Department of History
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
Assessment will be based upon written and oral assignments. Students that have missed a small number of mandatory assignments may complete them by the end of the term at the latest. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.
Reading list
No reading list found.