Course Summary
This course explores the history and impact of war on societies and individuals, from ancient times to the present day.Key Learning Points
- Gain a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of war
- Learn about the evolution of warfare and its impact on culture, politics and society
- Explore the role of technology in modern warfare
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the history and causes of war
- Analyze the impact of war on societies and individuals
- Evaluate the role of technology in modern warfare
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of world history
- Interest in military history and global conflicts
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video Lectures
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Related Education Paths
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Description
The Paradoxes of War teaches us to understand that war is not only a normal part of human existence, but is arguably one of the most important factors in making us who we are. Through this course, I hope that you will come to appreciate that war is both a natural expression of common human emotions and interactions and a constitutive part of how we cohere as groups. That is, war is paradoxically an expression of our basest animal nature and the exemplar of our most vaunted and valued civilized virtues. You will learn some basic military history and sociology in this course as a lens for the more important purpose of seeing the broader social themes and issues related to war. I want you to both learn about war, but more importantly, use it as way of understanding your everyday social world. So, for example, the discussion of war and gender will serve to start you thinking about how expectations of masculinity are created and our discussion of nationalism will make clear how easy “us-them” dichotomies can be established and (ab)used. I will suggest some readings for you to complement the class and assign some activities through which you will be able to apply the theoretical insights from the course to your observations of everyday life. At the end of the course, you will start to see war everywhere and come to appreciate how much it defines our life.
Outline
- Introduction/Welcome
- Welcome
- Suggested Readings
- The Nature of War
- Introduction
- The Nature of War
- Why Do We Study War?
- The Uses of War/The Western Way of War
- Nature of Aggression/Criteria of War/Defining the WWW
- The Causes of War
- The Paradox of War/Is War Universal?
- Is War Unique to Humans?/Is War Natural?
- War and Gender
- Humanity of War/Perspectives on War
- Perspectives on War, cont./A Future Perspective
- The Experience of War
- The Battlefield
- The Soldier's Inner Landscape
- Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat
- Fear
- Endurance
- Atrocities
- Office Hours I
- Making Warriors
- Coercion/The Ideal Soldier
- The Joy of Battle
- Camaraderie
- Leadership and Faith
- Honor
- Courage
- Duty and Discipline
- The War of Armies
- Progress of War & Structure of Armies- Ancient and Feudal
- Structure of Armies- Stipendiary and Contract
- Structure of Armies- State-commission, Popular Conscript, and Volunteer-technical
- Operational
- Logistical and Technological
- Social
- Office Hours II
- The Progress of Battle
- The Progress of Battle
- Phalanx
- Legion
- Cavalry
- Gunpowder and the Tercio
- War of the Lines
- Industrial War
- The War of Societies
- The War of Societies
- Conquest
- The Americas
- Asia
- Africa
- Genocide
- Strategic Bombing
- Office Hours III
- Social Aspects of War: Nation State and Nationalism
- War and State Building
- Taxation
- War and National Wealth
- Nationalism and Monuments
- Social Aspects of War: Democracy, Citizenship, and Social Equality
- War and Citizenship I
- War and Citizenship II
- War and Social Equality
- Race, Class, and Gender in the US Armed Forces
- Office Hours IV
- The Rise of the Rest
- Limits of Conquest
- Insurgency I
- Insurgency II
- Terrorism
- Vietnam and Iraq
- New Challenges
- Introduction/Major Theatre Wars
- Fight for Resources/US Military Reach
- Breakup of States/Terrorism
- Office Hours V
- Final Lecture
- Final Lecture
- Office Hours VI
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the history of warfare from ancient times to the present day with this engaging online course. Users highly rate this course for its comprehensive coverage of warfare throughout history. Many appreciate the in-depth analysis of significant battles and military strategies.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Comprehensive coverage of warfare throughout history.Pros from User Reviews
- In-depth analysis of significant battles and military strategies.
- Engaging and informative lectures by knowledgeable instructors.
- Access to a vast collection of resources and materials.
- Interactive quizzes and assignments to reinforce learning.
- Flexible schedule and self-paced learning options.
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course content too basic and lacking in detail.
- Occasional technical issues with the platform and course materials.
- Limited opportunities for interaction with instructors and other learners.
- Some users found the course structure and pacing to be disorganized.
- The course may not be suitable for users with no prior knowledge of history or warfare.
Miguel A. Centeno
4.6 Raiting
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That is, war is paradoxically an expression of our basest animal nature and the exemplar of our most vaunted and valued civilized virtues....
