An introduction into the historical, psychological, and sociological analysis of organized conflict.
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Starts on June 1st , 2014
About the Course
The Paradox 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.
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.
Course Syllabus
The Warrior's War
- Is War Natural?
- Warriors in Battle
- Why Not Run Away?
- What Do Soldiers Believe In?
- Brutality
- Discipline
From Wars of Armies to Wars of Societies
- Wars of Armies
- Progress of Battle
- Gunpowder
- Industrialization of War
- Technowar
War and Society
- Social Aspects of War
- States
- Nationalism
- Soldiers and Citizens
- War and Equality
- Conquest. Genocide, and Armageddon
The Future of War
- The Rise of the Rest
- New Challenges
- Conclusions: Empire and the Western Way of War
Recommended Background
No prior background is required.
Suggested Readings
- Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, Book 1, 2.1, 2.2-6, 2.7-24, 2.34-46, 2.47-54, 2.59-65, 2.71-78, 3.20-24, 3.35-50, 3.52-68, 3.81-84, 4.3-4.41, 4.46-484, 4.90-101, 4.117-11, 5.6-11, 5.14-24, 5.25-26, 5.42-48, 5.76-83, 5.85-116, Books 6 and 7
- Homer, Iliad, Books 1,3, 7, 9, 24
- Virgil Aeneid, Books 2, 4
- Thomas E. Ricks, Making the Corps
- E.B. Sledge, With the Old Breed, Chaps 1-4, 10-15.
- John Keegan, The Face of Battle, Chs. 2-4.
- US Grant, Memoirs , Chs. 21-22, 24-25, 30-31, 33-37, 39, 42-44, 49-51, 55-57, 59, 62, 65, 67-68.
- Michael Gordin, Red Cloud at Dawn, Chs. 1, 2,6, 7, Epilogue
- Reviel Netz, Barbed Wire. Part III
- Victor Davis Hanson, Carnage and Culture, Chs. 1, 6, 8, 10, Afterword.
- Franz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth, “Concernign Violence, Colonial War and Mental disorders, Conclusion.
- Keith Lowe, Savage Continent, Part I (All), Chs. 8-10, 18-20, 22-24.
- Ian Buruma, Year Zero
Course Format
This course will consist of lecture videos, activities and various reading assignments. Students will also be encouraged to participate in the discussion forums.
