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Cursus: GE3V17044
GE3V17044
Soldiers, Guerillas, Terrorists
Cursus informatie
CursuscodeGE3V17044
Studiepunten (EC)7,5
Cursusdoelen
Learning outcomes: after completing the course, students will have:
  • knowledge of a relevant historical case study pertaining to the specialised topic;
  • knowledge and understanding of the historical context of the specialised topic;
  • basic knowledge of the theoretical discourse around the course topic;
  • knowledge of methods relevant to the study of this specialised topic;
  • knowledge of the latest scholarship: current historiographical issues;
  • skills to conduct independent research on a historical topic on the basis of a research question formulated on their own and using historical sources;
  • basic skills in the application of theories to historical material;
  • basic skills in data analysis and use of requisite tools in a historical context;
  • a skills set enabling them to think, act and communicate at an academic level and in line with academic standards of conduct ('academic integrity'). 
Learning objectives and skills: after completing the course, students will be able to:
  • find and assess relevant scholarly articles and historical sources;
  • define their own research topic that fits within the course topic;
  • formulate a clear research question;
  • conduct research based on primary and other sources and anchored in the historiography;
  • independently plan and conduct research
  • analyse primary sources and literature in relation to the research question;
  • draw conclusions on the basis of previous arguments;
  • present the results of this research in writing at an academic level;
  • give and receive feedback (peer review) on parts of research papers.
Inhoud
This is the second course of Specialisation 7: Conflict, Violence and Security.
(English track International Relations).

Priority rules apply to this course. Make sure you register for this course before 17 June 12.00 p.m. to be considered for enrollment.

Students who major in History, TCS or LAS and take this course as part of their specialization, and pre-master’s students are guaranteed a place.
Other students will be placed through random selection. 
LAS and TCS students who follow this course as part of the core curriculum of their major, need to complete a compulsory preparation course/assignment. See for more information: https://tcs.sites.uu.nl/

After the introductory course this Research Seminar-A offers a first try at conducting research with primary source material and writing an original research paper. Students’ perspectives on violence are enhanced through the introduction of a micro-sociological, actor-oriented approach. It puts three related categories of violent actors (soldiers, guerrillas, terrorists) centre stage. It embeds historical interpretations of their experiences in the broader debate on the differences and similarities of regular and irregular ways of waging war. Of course, the acts committed by IS in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere are often described as “barbarian” and “cowardly”. Also, it is often said that the military techniques employed by jihadists are in no way comparable to prior forms of political violence. Still, a closer look at for instance the immediate experiences of extreme violence by the fighters involved points at disturbing similarities. Can we still maintain that there really is that much of a difference between regular and irregular warfare? Or are we guided by specific ideas of violence? Are we for instance looking through the lens of the Western nation-state?

Using historical case studies from modern history students conduct an in-depth study of soldiers, guerrillas and terrorists i.e. the experience of organized violence in regular and irregular warfare by the fighters involved. They learn to historicise and criticise the common view of warfare by concentrating on the experiences of its most common actors.

Soldiers, Guerillas, Terrorists enables students to practise working with historical source materials at a more advanced level, with an emphasis on conducting independent research. Under the supervision of a lecturer, students learn to determine a personal stance in existing historical debates, and to contribute to increasing our knowledge and understanding of the historical backgrounds underlying modern issues. Students choose their research topic on the basis of the actor-oriented literature discussed in the first four weeks. They familiarize themselves with demarcating their research, formulating a research question (with possible subordinate questions) and relating this to specific introductory literature.

Early Exit option (5 ECTS)
 
Exchange students who are required to return to their home university before January, are allowed to choose an Early Exit option for this course. The Early Exit option means that students can finish the course before Christmas break, receiving 5 ECTS for the course. Students must make arrangements with the course coordinator at the start of the course.
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