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Paradoxes of War
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 14 hours
  • Course by Princeton University
  • Offered by

About

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.

Modules

Welcome

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Welcome

1 Readings

  • Suggested Readings

Introduction

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Introduction

The Nature of War

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • 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 I

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • The Paradox of War/Is War Universal?
  • Is War Unique to Humans?/Is War Natural?

The Causes of War II

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • War and Gender
  • Humanity of War/Perspectives on War
  • Perspectives on War, cont./A Future Perspective

The Experience of War

    • 6 Videos
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6 Videos

  • The Battlefield
  • The Soldier's Inner Landscape
  • Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat
  • Fear
  • Endurance
  • Atrocities

Office Hours I

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Office Hours I

Coercion/The Ideal Soldier & The Joy of Battle

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Coercion/The Ideal Soldier
  • The Joy of Battle

Military Values

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Camaraderie
  • Leadership and Faith
  • Honor
  • Courage

Duty and Discipline

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Duty and Discipline

Progress of War & Structure of Armies

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • 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

Organizing War

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Operational
  • Logistical and Technological
  • Social

Office Hours II

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Office Hours II

The Progress of Battle

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • The Progress of Battle

War of the Square

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Phalanx
  • Legion
  • Cavalry
  • Gunpowder and the Tercio

War of the Lines & Industrial War

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • War of the Lines
  • Industrial War

Peer Review

    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Peer Review: Midterm Assignment

The War of Societies

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • The War of Societies

Conquest

    • 4 Videos
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4 Videos

  • Conquest
  • The Americas
  • Asia
  • Africa

Genocide

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Genocide

Strategic Bombing

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Strategic Bombing

Office Hours III

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Office Hours III

Nation State

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • War and State Building
  • Taxation
  • War and National Wealth

Nationalism and Monuments

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Nationalism and Monuments

War and Citizenship

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • War and Citizenship I
  • War and Citizenship II

Social Equality & Race, Class, and Gender

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • War and Social Equality
  • Race, Class, and Gender in the US Armed Forces

Office Hours IV

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Office Hours IV

Limits of Conquest

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Limits of Conquest

Insurgency

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Insurgency I
  • Insurgency II

Terrorism

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Terrorism

Vietnam and Iraq

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Vietnam and Iraq

New Challenges I

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Introduction/Major Theatre Wars

New Challenges II

    • 2 Videos
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2 Videos

  • Fight for Resources/US Military Reach
  • Breakup of States/Terrorism

Office Hours V

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Office Hours V

Final Lecture

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Final Lecture

Peer Review

    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Peer Review: Final Exam

Office Hours VI

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Office Hours VI

Auto Summary

Discover the "Paradoxes of War" course in Personal Development, led by Coursera. This foundational course delves into the dual nature of war, highlighting its role in human society. Explore military history, sociology, and broader social themes like gender and nationalism. With engaging readings and activities, understand how war shapes everyday life. Available for free, this course spans 840 minutes and offers Starter and Professional subscriptions. Ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding of societal dynamics.

Miguel A. Centeno
Instructor

Miguel A. Centeno