War and Society (HIST*2040)

Code and section: HIST*2040*01

Term: Fall 2017

Instructor: David Lawrence

Details

Course Synopsis:  

Concentrating on developments following the introduction of gunpowder, the course will consider the evolution of military strategy and tactics, the impact of technology on warfare, and the relationship between war and civilian populations.

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

Behaviour in Battle - 20% (Due October 5)
Child Soldier Essay - 20% (Due November 2)  
Research Essay Bibliography - 5% (Due November 9)
Research Essay - 25% (Due November 28)
Final Exam - 30% (December 8)     
Total - 100%

Texts and/or Resources Required Include All or Parts of:

Required Textbooks:

Charles Townshend, The Oxford History of Modern War, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Lawrence Freedman, War, Oxford University Press, 1994.

Important: Choose only ONE of the following books for the Behaviour in Battle Essay:

Richard Holmes, Acts of War, Free Press, 1985
OR
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, On Killing, Little, Brown and Co. 2009

Important: Choose only ONE of the following books for the Child Soldier Essay:

Emmanuel Jal, War Child: A Child Soldier’s Story, New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2009.
OR
Ishmael Beah, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2013.

*Please note:  This is a preliminary web course description only.  The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description.  The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.