Paradoxes of War from Coursera

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.

All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction/Welcome

The basic paradoxes of war: how it builds and destroys, produces love and hate are discussed. Outline of course and general expectations.

The Nature of War

War is a product of both “natural” instincts and a social creation involving the imposition of organization and authority structures.

The Causes of War

Causes of war may be described as material, cultural, and psychological. At the heart of war is the product of us-them dynamics.

The Experience of War

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.

Making Warriors

Warriors are taught a set of values of which duty and honor are fundamental. These are taught through the imposition of discipline.

The War of Armies

Wars are about organized violence and this part of the course traces the managerial and technological developments necessary to culminate in total wars.

The Progress of Battle

Historical overview of battle formations from phalanx to gunpowder revolution to industrialized war.

The War of Societies

Wars can also be about societal survival and we look at three examples: conquest, genocide, and strategic bombing.

Social Aspects of War: Nation State and Nationalism

Wars help build states and nationalism

Social Aspects of War: Democracy, Citizenship, and Social Equality

Wars also develop citizenship and democratic demands

The Rise of the Rest

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.

New Challenges

Wars are not fought as they were yet militaries are still organized anachronistically.

Final Lecture

Summary of the class.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appeals to anyone interested in war's history and its relevance to modern society

Covers a wide range of thought-provoking topics such as the nature, causes, experience, and effects of war

Suitable for diverse audiences, including those seeking a deeper understanding of war's impact on history and society

May be particularly valuable for students pursuing fields such as history, political science, or sociology

Offers a unique perspective on the social aspects of war, examining its role in shaping social structures and ideologies

Lack of a certificate upon completion may limit recognition for academic or professional purposes

Reviews summary

Thought-provoking paradoxes of war

Learners say that this course, packed with engaging assignments, is a well-rounded sociological perspective of war's influence on society. Students describe the professor as knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and with a clear teaching style. Through lectures and readings, learners say they learned things they'd never thought of before. Many highly recommend the course for its broad scope of historic periods and topics.

Students say this course presents new perspectives.

"I learned things I'd never thought about before."

"i've heard and understood a lot of new and interesting things."

"Puts a new perspective on how war affects civilization and the future of war."

The professor's teaching style is clear and engaging.

"I found the teacher to be engaging and easy to follow."

"The professor's knowledge on the topic is profound and his way of teaching is very clear."

"enthusiastic professor who kept my interest by presenting ideas concisely and coherently."

One learner points out that the course doesn't go into enough detail about the Vietnam War.

"Porejemplo,en una de las últimas conferencias habla de que Cataluña se podría separar de España.Imposible,A diferencia del UK,España tiene una Constitución que no permite la separación de los reinos,hoy comunidades de España."

Learners say there is no way to engage in discussions.

"I would have liked to coment it in the forums, but there was no forums."

Some learners say the course includes outdated material.

"being made in 2014 it is a little dated in the later lectures."

Learners say the course only covers Western perspectives on warfare.

"this course is about "Western War", which implies that there is a/many other forms; I'm curious as to what they are!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Paradoxes of War with these activities:

Find a Mentor in the Field

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A mentor can help provide support and advice throughout the course of your studies.

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Identify someone in the field you would like to learn from.
Reach out to them and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.
Meet with them regularly to discuss your progress and get feedback.

Identify the Causes of War

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This exercise will help you to identify the different factors that can lead to war.

Browse courses on War

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Read the article on the causes of war.
Complete the practice drills on the causes of war.
Discuss your findings with your classmates in the online forum.

Create a Timeline of War

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This assignment will help you to visualize the major wars and conflicts in human history.

Browse courses on War

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Research the major wars and conflicts in human history.
Create a timeline of these wars and conflicts.
Share your timeline with your classmates in the online forum.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

How War Changed the World

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This tutorial will help you to understand the major ways in which war has shaped our world.

Browse courses on War

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Watch the video tutorial on the history of war.
Read the article on the social and economic impact of war.
Discuss the topic with your classmates in the online forum.

Debate the Ethics of War

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This discussion will help you to critically evaluate the ethics of war.

Browse courses on War

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Read the article on the ethics of war.
Prepare your arguments for the debate.
Participate in the debate with your classmates in the online forum.

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined

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This book will help you to understand the long-term decline in violence and war.

View Words and Rules on Amazon

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Read the book.
Write a summary of the book.
Present your summary to your classmates in the online forum.

War Simulation Game

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This game will help you to understand the complexities of war and decision-making.

Browse courses on War

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Form a team of 4-6 classmates.
Choose a country to represent.
Develop a strategy for your country.
Compete against other teams in the simulation.

Develop a Peace Plan

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This project will help you to develop a plan for achieving peace in a conflict-ridden region.

Browse courses on War

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Research a conflict-ridden region.
Identify the root causes of the conflict.
Develop a plan for addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Present your plan to your classmates in the online forum.

Career center

Learners who complete Paradoxes of War will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sociologist

Sociologists study the behavior of human beings in groups and social contexts. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Sociologist by providing a deep understanding of how war shapes human interactions and social structures. This course explores the social, psychological, and cultural factors that contribute to war and its impact on societies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

Historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past, using a variety of sources and methods to understand how human societies have changed over time. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Historian by providing a comprehensive overview of the history of warfare and its impact on human civilization. This course examines the different ways that war has been waged throughout history and how it has shaped the development of societies.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study the theory and practice of government and politics. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Political Scientist by providing a deep understanding of the political, economic, and social factors that contribute to war. This course examines the different ways that war is used to achieve political goals and how it affects the lives of citizens.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as an Anthropologist by providing a deep understanding of how war shapes human culture and society. This course examines the different ways that war is experienced and interpreted by different cultures and how it affects the development of human societies.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior of individuals and groups. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Psychologist by providing a deep understanding of the psychological factors that contribute to war and its impact on individuals. This course examines the different ways that war affects the mental health of soldiers and civilians and how it can lead to psychological disorders.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as an Economist by providing a deep understanding of the economic costs of war and its impact on the global economy. This course examines the different ways that war affects economic growth, trade, and investment.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Journalist by providing a deep understanding of the causes, consequences, and impact of war. This course examines the different ways that war is reported in the media and how it affects public opinion.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Lawyer by providing a deep understanding of the legal framework governing war and its impact on individuals and organizations. This course examines the different ways that war is regulated by international law and how it affects the rights of soldiers and civilians.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with social problems and improve their well-being. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Social Worker by providing a deep understanding of the social and psychological impact of war on individuals and families. This course examines the different ways that war affects the lives of civilians and how it can lead to social problems.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Teacher by providing a deep understanding of the history, causes, and consequences of war. This course examines the different ways that war is taught in schools and how it can be used to promote peace and understanding.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and develop public policies. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Policy Analyst by providing a deep understanding of the policy issues surrounding war and its impact on society. This course examines the different ways that war is used as a policy tool and how it affects the lives of citizens.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers plan, organize, and direct the activities of nonprofit organizations. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Nonprofit Manager by providing a deep understanding of the role of nonprofits in wartime and its impact on communities. This course examines the different ways that nonprofits provide humanitarian assistance to victims of war and how they can help to promote peace and reconciliation.

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International Relations Specialist

International Relations Specialists develop and implement policies and programs to promote cooperation between countries. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as an International Relations Specialist by providing a deep understanding of the causes, consequences, and impact of war on the international system. This course examines the different ways that war is used to achieve foreign policy goals and how it affects the lives of people around the world.

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Human Rights Advocate

Human Rights Advocates work to protect and promote human rights around the world. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Human Rights Advocate by providing a deep understanding of the human rights issues surrounding war and its impact on individuals and communities. This course examines the different ways that war violates human rights and how it can be used to promote peace and justice.

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Peacebuilder

Peacebuilders work to prevent, mitigate, and resolve conflict. The Paradoxes of War can help build a foundation for a career as a Peacebuilder by providing a deep understanding of the causes, consequences, and impact of war on societies. This course examines the different ways that war can be prevented and resolved and how it can be used to promote peace and reconciliation.

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