Revolution Theory: Understanding Revolutionary Transformation Processes within the Social Sciences
This PhD course is designed to apply theoretical works from the Social Sciences to the main topic of revolutions. The participants will read key texts from relevant fields and follow in each session how revolutions, as political and social transformation processes, evolve in relation to key elements that are often essential for the approach to and study of social science. It will in this regard rely on classical and recent theories that can be used and applied to better understand the history and contemporary impact of revolutions on human societies. The participants are expected to read kex texts in preparation for each meeting and will present a research paper (15-20 pages) of their own design at the end of the course that covers one essential element of revolution theory in relation to a self-chosen case study (e.g. the role of women in the Iranian Revolution, or Violence and Revolution: An analysis of Bolshevik policies during Red October).
Course dates: 19 - 21 May 2026
The course is open to students enrolled in a doctoral program.
None.
Open to PhD students at Nord University. Open for external PhD students or applicants with a master’s
degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent if sufficient number of places are available.
After completing the course, the student must have obtained:
Knowledge
After completing the course, students will be at the forefront of knowledge within the field of revolution
theory and have mastered the relevant scientific theory, including the following aspects:
• Revolution theory, Hegelian dialectics and Marxism, Nationalism, Power transition, Violence, Time relations, World-system theory, Gender and revolutions
• The students can assess the appropriateness and application of different methods and processes in research
• The students can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations and forms of documentation within the field revolution theory
Skills
After completing the course, students can formulate problems for, plan and carry out research and academic work and therfore are able:
• To choose theory applicable to a given set of evidence
• To actively use theory in analyzing data
• To make theoretical claims about the human world in general, and about revolutions and revolutionary transformation processes in particular
• To validate and justify theoretical claims
• The students can consequently conduct research and academic work at a high international level.
• The students can in addition handle complex academic questions and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field
General competence
After completing the course, students can:
• Identify new relevant ethical issues and conduct their research with professional integrity
• Can manage complex interdisciplinary tasks and projects
• Can communicate research and development work through recognized national and international channels
• Can participate in debates within the field in international forums
Introductory lectures, seminar, group work, plenary discussions (See detailed course plan down below).
Attendance is mandatory (minimum 80%).
- Assessment task: During the course, participants are required to present orally a short impulse presentation (ca. 10 minutes) on one specific theory and its representatives in social science.
- Compulsory Participation: Minimum 80% presence is required.
- Written Assignment: Participants are required to submit a course paper that explores and critically discusses a self-chosen theme relating to revolutions and one or more of the presented theories in social science. Ideally, the topic can also be linked to their own PhD project and research interest. The paper should draw on relevant course literature and reflect on key debates, theoretical perspectives, and methodological considerations addressed throughout the course. Emphasis should be placed on analytical depth and the ability to situate the chosen theme within broader contexts. The paper should be between 4000 and 6000 words (including references) and will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Students are requested to use relevant research literature for their text.
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer, is considered cheating.