course-details-portlet

KRIG3070

War, economy and resources

New from the academic year 2025/2026

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Assignment

About

About the course

Course content

The course aims to provide a basic understanding of the relationship between economic resources and war, with a particular focus on the 20th century, i.e. the period of industrialised wars. The course will show how the endowment, access and control of resources can contribute to military conflict and the outcome of wars. The course will explore the complexities of war economies, including armament production, and discuss strategies of economic warfare such as naval blockades and bombing, as well as counter-strategies aimed at increasing the economic resilience of countries. It will also look at the economic impact of war on the home front.

Learning outcome

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The candidate has

  • in-depth knowledge of what are the central elements of war economies
  • knowledge of methodological challenges in the historical study of war economies and economic warfare
  • in-depth knowledge of the development of war economies and economic warfare from the year 1900 until our time
  • knowledge of basic economic concepts necessary to understand war economies, the role of resources and the effects on home fronts

Skills

The candidate should

  • be able to assess and analyze the role economic factors played during the war and its effect on home fronts
  • have the ability to apply historical methods to study various wars, their implementation and their effects
  • to use and interpret relevant quantitative data

Learning methods and activities

The course is taught digitally, where lectures, podcasts and other teaching material are made available through a digital platform. This platform will constitute a digital classroom where digital meeting points are established for teaching, student active learning, follow-up, guidance, etc.

In addition to the digital "core", one physical gathering will be held during the semester.

Compulsory assignments

  • Presentation

Further on evaluation

The exam is an assignment which is to be submitted at the end of the semester. The obligatory activity is in the middle of the semester, and students must submit a PowerPoint presentation with voiceover on the chosen topic.

Required previous knowledge

BA in military studies, history, political science or equivalent

Course materials

Curriculum, compendium, and other material will be published on a digital platform at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
KRIG3071 7.5 sp Autumn 2025
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • History

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Modern History and Society

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Assignment
Weighting 100/100 Date Submission 2025-12-01 Time Submission 12:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment