SOC30270 Sociology of War and Violence

Academic Year 2022/2023

In this module we will examine the complex relationships between war, violence and society. The aim is to explore the sociological aspects of traditional and modern forms of organised violence in a comparative historical perspective. The module is particularly focused on the theoretical and socio-historical interpretations that link war and organised violence with the development of modern societies. More specifically, the emphasis is placed on the dramatic and radical changes in the relationship between war, organised violence and society over the last two centuries. The module examines the significance of war and violence as a source of social cohesion and conflict, their role in the formation of modernity and contemporary nation-states, their link with the nationalist ideologies and a number of more specific topics such as war propaganda and battlefield solidarity, war and social stratification, gendering of war, as well as the changing character of warfare and violence in the 21st century.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module the students are expected to be able to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the main sociological approaches in the study of war and organised violence, the role warfare has played in the formation of modernity and the general relationships between war and society in the broader historical and geographical contexts.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction: The Social Facets of War and Violence
The Social Origins of Violence and War
3. Organised Violence before Modernity
4. War, Violence and Modernity
5. The Social Geographies of Warfare
6. The Sociology of Organised Violence
7. Ethnicity, Nationalism and War
8. War Propaganda and the Battlefield Solidarity
9. Social Stratification and Organised Violence
10. Gender and Warfare
11. Organised Violence in the 21st Century

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

101
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module consists of one hour of lecturing and one hour of active/task-based learning including peer and group work and debates and student discussions.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: The first part of the module will be assessed by the 2000 word mid-term essay. Week 6 n/a Graded No

40
Essay: The final 2000 words essay to assess the second half of the module. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: The students are assessed by 10 short weekly assignments (200 words each). Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided on assessed coursework as individual comments on Brightspace or in person during office hours.

The module reading list will be provided to all students via email and in class.