Princeton University

Paradoxes of War

Taught in English

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73,409 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Miguel A. Centeno

Instructor: Miguel A. Centeno

4.6

(672 reviews)

14 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

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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

Instructor ratings
4.9 (43 ratings)
Miguel A. Centeno
Princeton University
2 Courses77,429 learners

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4.6

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