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Peace and
War |
War is seemingly an inevitable part of human society—but is it? War’s costs in economic and human terms are so massive as to be incalculable. If war can be avoided, why isn’t it avoided more often? If it is inevitable, what is the future for humankind? This course will examine war and peace in the abstract, and the current war in Iraq in detail. We will analyze the cost of various wars and the ways wars have been or may have been avoided. At the end of the semester, each of us will reach some conclusion (not necessarily the same one) about the necessity of war or the possibility of lasting peace.
This course fulfills the advanced writing requirement for sociology majors. Hence, we will be doing a great deal of writing and rewriting.
Course Expectations:
Seminar Participation: 15%
This seminar requires full participation from all members. So, all members must be here at all meetings. Class attendance is absolutely required. Every absence and every late arrival will lower your grade. If you have a personal emergency, let me know immediately (phone or e-mail).
Each student will be expected to contribute to each seminar meeting. At the beginning of each class session, each student will be asked to comment on the weeks readings (written comment to be handed in).
Exams: 45%
There will be three essay exams (dates are on the reading list). Each exam is worth 15% for a total of 45% of the final grade.
Term Paper: 40%
Each student will write, in stages and with lots of feedback and help, a 20-page library research paper. (Further information is attached.)
It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the letter and the spirit of the Academic Honest Policy s stated in the college catalog.
Required
Texts:
David P. Barash
& Charles P. Webel. 2009.
Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd
Edition.
Thomas E.
Ricks. 2007.
Fiasco:
The American Military Adventure in
Trish Wood
(ed.). 2006.
What Was Asked of Us:
An Oral History of the
Judith
Richlin-Klonsky and Ellen Strenski (eds.) 2008
A Guide to Writing Sociology
Papers, 6th Edition.
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For: |
Topic/Read: |
Write/Do: |
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1-26 1-28 |
Introductions In
Peace & Conflict Studies Promise
of Peace, Problems of War
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|
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2-2 2-4 |
Guide:
In
Peace & Conflict Studies
In
Fiasco:
In
What Was Asked of Us
Introduction
Preface
|
In
class, choose topic/war |
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2-9 2-11 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies The
Reasons for War
Guide:
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To
the Library |
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2-16 2-18 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies The
Reasons for Wars
Guide:
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To
the Writing Lab |
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2-23 2-25 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies The
Reasons for Wars
In
Fiasco:
|
|
|
3-2 3-4 |
Examination
#1 In
Fiasco:
In
What Was Asked of Us
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|
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3-9 3-11 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies Building
‘Negative Peace’
In
Fiasco:
In
What Was Asked of Us |
Annotated
References DUE |
|
3-16 3-18 |
BREAK
|
|
3-23 3-25 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies Building
‘Negative Peace’
Ch 11: Diplomacy, Negotiations, Conflict Resolution
In
Fiasco:
In
What Was Asked of Us
|
|
|
3-30 4-1 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies Building
‘Negative Peace’
In
Fiasco:
Afterward: Betting
Against History
Postscript Guide:
Part The: Polishing Your Paper
Part Three: Finishing Up |
Paper
Outline DUE |
|
For: |
Topic/Read: |
Write/Do: |
|
4-6 4-8 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies Examination
#2 |
|
|
4-13 4-15 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies Building
Positive Peace
In
Peace & Conflict Studies
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Paper
Draft DUE |
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4-20 4-22 |
In
Peace & Conflict Studies
(come
to class….) |
|
|
4-27 4-29 |
Paper
Presentations Paper
Presentations |
|
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5-4 5-6 |
Paper
Presentations Final
Discussions Is
war necessary? Is peace
possible? Why
is our society war-like? Can
we change? Should we? |
FINAL
PAPER DUE |
|
5-? |
Examination
#3 (day/time
TBA) |
|
Books on Reserve at the Library: (Recommended
extra reading on
George Packer.
2005. The
Assassins’ Gate:
Charles
Ferguson. No End in Sight: Iraq’s
Descent into Chaos.
David L.
Phillips. 2005.
Losing
Ali A. Allawi.
2007. The
Occupation of
