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.
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There are 13 modules in this course
The basic paradoxes of war: how it builds and destroys, produces love and hate are discussed. Outline of course and general expectations.
What's included
1 video1 reading
War is a product of both “natural” instincts and a social creation involving the imposition of organization and authority structures.
What's included
5 videos
Causes of war may be described as material, cultural, and psychological. At the heart of war is the product of us-them dynamics.
What's included
5 videos
In order to understand the social creation of war we need to appreciate that this is an activity VERY few would engage in with control or inducement.
What's included
7 videos
Warriors are taught a set of values of which duty and honor are fundamental. These are taught through the imposition of discipline.
What's included
7 videos
Wars are about organized violence and this part of the course traces the managerial and technological developments necessary to culminate in total wars.
What's included
7 videos
Historical overview of battle formations from phalanx to gunpowder revolution to industrialized war.
What's included
7 videos1 peer review
Wars can also be about societal survival and we look at three examples: conquest, genocide, and strategic bombing.
What's included
8 videos
Wars help build states and nationalism
What's included
4 videos
Wars also develop citizenship and democratic demands
What's included
5 videos
While the West was dominant for 500 years, beginning in 1945 new forms of war have challenged the technological and organizational supremacy of old empires.
What's included
5 videos
Wars are not fought as they were yet militaries are still organized anachronistically.
What's included
4 videos
Summary of the class.
What's included
2 videos1 peer review
Instructor
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Governance and Society
Arizona State University
The University of Melbourne
Stanford University
The State University of New York
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Reviewed on Dec 6, 2019
Well done and well organized. Instructor is an excellent teacher--it feels like you are watching an episode of National Geographic on sociology of war!!
Reviewed on Feb 23, 2016
A good course and very interesting perspectives. A pity Princeton does not issue certificates.
Reviewed on Jun 16, 2020
Enjoyed this very much from start to finish and would highly recommend it from any young military officer.
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Frequently asked questions
No. As per Princeton University policy, no certificates, credentials, or reports are awarded in connection with this course.
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The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.