- War: Consequences and Alternatives

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: Michael Vavrus (political economy), Steve Niva (political science, Middle Eastern studies) Major areas of study include literature, writing, cultural studies, history, political economy and philosophy/ethics. Class Standing: This Core program is designed for freshmen. Throughout history war has been a defining factor of the human condition. In the 21st century, war continues to dominate the international political and social landscape. With its promise to provide populations security in comparison to its actual consequences, war directly and indirectly affects the daily lives of nearly all people on the planet. From antiquity to our contemporary era, the influences of war on people are reflected culturally in many ways: through literature, poetry, film, music, schools, religious institutions, hospitals, economic standards of living and political expressions. Information from military handbooks, accounts from war journalists, the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. , insights from psychologists, revelations articulated by poets and novelists, films like The Battle of Algiers, and perspectives from war veterans and peace advocates all help us to think about the impact of war on human societies, our psychological well-being, and our purpose in life. This program asks students to think about the rationales for and the outcomes of war through interdisciplinary sources. What are the arguments for and against war What are political, economic and religious justifications for war What are the ethical dilemmas surrounding decisions to engage in either war or pacifism What is it in the human species that has historically attracted us to war To what extent are humans receptive to forms of pacifism How are war and pacifism represented and supported or not supported in popular culture In this one quarter program, students will explore these multiple perspectives on war with particular attention to the United States. We will examine how war has been ideologically framed and how contemporary institutions such as the United Nations were created with the hope of preventing war among nations. Students will investigate movements and actions that have attempted to counter the enactment of war. Students will regularly engage in writing assignments. These will include the academic social science essay and creative nonfiction along with writing strategies for note-taking and for critical inquiry. The program will be supplemented with a field trip and guest speakers who represent a variety of perspectives on the topic of war. Total: 16 credits. Enrollment: 46 Special Expenses: Approximately $15 for expenses related to field trip/museum fee. Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in literature, writing, cultural studies, history, political economy, philosophy/ethics and education. This program is also listed under A similar program is expected to be offered in 2008-09.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

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