War, Technology, and Society
GOVT 285
Fall 2008 not offered
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| Certificates: International Relations |
Social existence involves both cooperation and conflict, and social conflict often spills over into physical violence. But while most societies condemn physical violence between individuals, they condone and encourage collectively organized violence in the form of warfare. No modern society has not taken part in warfare, so an understanding of war is clearly essential to any understanding of human existence. This course will examine war as a social, political, and historical phenomenon. We will look at the way in which wars have led to the consolidation of political power and the acceleration of social change. We will focus in particular on the role played by technology in the interaction between war and society. Our examples will include ancient Greece, medieval Japan, the rise of the modern European states, through to World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS GOVT |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
Major Readings:
William H. McNeill, THE PURSUIT OF POWER
Barbara Ehrenreich, BLOOD RITES
Robert O'Connell, ARMS AND MAN
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three short papers, term paper and midterm. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Any student wishing to take this class must send an email to prutland@wesleyan.edu explaining why they are interested in this topic; what particular features of warfare they are most interested in; and how they see this course relating to other courses they have taken at Wesleyan. |
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