INTC 221/ Experience of War



INTC 221/ Experience of War Office: Knorr House B8

Fall 2005 Hours: MW noon - 1:30 pm

MW 1:45 - 3:30 pm or by appointment

Pacific Lutheran University 253/535 -- 8739

Dr. Pauline M. Kaurin email: kaurinpa @ plu.edu

Web: plu.edu/~kaurinpa

Objectives of this Course:

1- To intellectually and empathetically engage the experience of war, entering into a deeper, more complex understanding of war.

2- To examine the phenomenon of war from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, exploring the questions, issues and methods each discipline might bring to the inquiry of war.

3- To develop a community of scholars who share responsibility for learning via presentations, leading class discussions and collaborative learning activities.

4- To build upon and enhance the skills of critical reading, writing, thinking and research originated in 111/112.

5- To critically identify and examine one’s own emotive responses and ideas about war, their contexts and implications as a means to

6- Formulate and articulate one’s own responses (intellectual and emotive) to the issue of war, in a way that allows the student to vision and act on their own ideas of the place of war in the present and future world community.

War

The phenomenon of warfare is an object of inquiry that is by its nature both interdisciplinary and international. War brings together technology/science and politics, tradition and invention, philosophical and religious perspectives, history and utopian visions – all seemingly opposites merging together into arguably the most heroic and horrific of all human experiences. We will look at the experience of war through the academic disciplines of history, philosophy, political science, psychology, literature, sociology, gender studies and religion. We will also use a variety of ‘texts’ to examine these perspectives: historical treatises, poetry, film, photography, autobiography, arguments/debates, music, plays and news accounts. However, we are not simply examining this phenomenon from academic isolation, but will be thinking about our own perspectives, prejudices and experiences of war and what they might mean for our constructing and understanding of the modern world. This is a topic which not only engages the intellect, but the empathetic and emotional parts of our communal lives. You WILL be asked to examine, not only your intellectual ideas about war, but also your emotional responses and their roots. We will use these insights to formulate a vision of the place of war in the world, a vision that will affect our actions as citizens in the world.

Class Requirements:

Critical Reflection Questions: Two to three page (500 -750 words) papers which are designed to engage the readings and work through the issues before class discussion, practicing the intellectual virtue of autonomy. In these papers we focus on formulating a specific question to be addressed in the relation to the reading, and exploring both emotive and intellectual responses to the question. These papers should follow the requirements laid out for all papers in the syllabus and the assignment sheet. They will be due at the beginning of class (1:45 pm) on the following days: September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 12, 17, 31, November 7, 14, 21, and 28; you may opt out of three without penalty, but no more than two before mid-term break. Opting out of papers is designed to give you some flexible and accommodate emergencies, so please use these wisely! Please note that I do NOT accept late papers (for any reason) without prior permission and consultation.

Essay#1: A 10-12 page paper which examines the experience of war (focusing on one aspect through World War I) from an emotive perspective. The paper will be oriented around the following questions: What is the experience of war like? Why? What in this experience can you relate to your own experiences? What conclusions about war can be drawn from this experience? While a first draft is not required, it is strongly encouraged given the high level of expectations for the finished paper and that you will not be allowed to rewrite after the grade has been given. (See Essay Guidelines and assignment sheet for more information.) Due October 26 at the beginning of class (1:45 pm).

Essay #2 : This paper will be a 12-15 page paper focusing on one particular question or issue in the experience of contemporary warfare. This paper will use research and argumentation to examine the issue in depth and make and defend a policy and action recommendation using your own disciplinary perspective as a basis. This paper will also provide an opportunity for reflection on the future place of warfare. You have the option to do your own project (i.e. something other than an academic paper) on some aspect of this or a related issue. If you choose this option, you are required to have a conference with me before November 30 to discuss how you will proceed, no exceptions. Due (in my office) no later than the end of our scheduled final examination period.

Movie Paper: You will be required to write a 4-5 page paper to be informally presented to the class between September 28 and December 7 on one of the relevant themes in one of the movies assigned. This paper is designed to address both the emotive elements of the experience of war and the intellectual analysis of the issues raised by war, using film as another ‘text’ for inquiry into war. (See the assignment sheet for more information.)

Presentation/Class Leadership: During the semester you and/or a partner will be required to do a presentation or lead class discussion on an assigned topic relevant to the content for that day’s class. You will be expected to present your insights based upon research, as well as addressing both your emotive (How did I respond to this issue?) and intellectual responses (What is my analysis? How does it relate to my/our disciplinary perspective? How do I think you should respond?) Each presentation should be short (10-15 min), should help stimulate class discussion which you will be expected to help lead. (See the assignment sheet for more information)

Class Attendance/Participation and Miscellaneous: You are expected to be in class on time and to come prepared to discuss the assigned readings. More than 4 absences or consistent lack of preparation will result in a significantly lower grade. There may be small assignments, guest lectures or small group work that also will contribute to this part of the grade.

Grading:

Crit. Refl. Questions (11 -3 = 8) 20%

Essay #1 25%

Essay #2 25%

Movie Paper 10%

Class Attendance/Participation 10%

Presentation/Class Leader 10%

Class Policies: (see also Class Expectations handout)

You should have completed INTG 111/112 or have special dispensation. This class is part of an interdisciplinary core and the concepts, skills and context of the 111/112 sequence is an essential building block to our work.

This is primarily a discussion class, and you are responsible to the other members of our learning community, so it is crucial that you not only do the reading, but also come to class prepared with questions and comments and actively participate. Lateness is not only disruptive to the discussion process, but also inhibits your participation. If you must come late (or leave early), be respectful of the class' time and space. Be respectful of the class time and space by turning down/off cell phones, beepers etc.

All papers should follow the guidelines that I have set out in the Essay Guidelines handout as well as being typed, double spaced and conforming to the appropriate citation style. I do not accept papers via mail, disk, fax, email or carrier pigeon.

I will accept NO late papers (Critical Reflection Papers, Movie Paper or Essay) without prior permission and consultation.

If a situation arises that may affect your attendance and/or work, please consult with me as early as possible and I will be more than happy to work with you.

In the event that classes are cancelled (either due to inclement weather or my illness), call my extension for instructions. You are responsible for any assignments or directions I give you. Unless you hear from me otherwise, the schedule remains as is.

If you require special accommodations for disability of any kind, please discuss it with me and/or the appropriate university personnel.

Required Texts: (in reading order – more or less)

Course Packet (see me if you would like to see a list of what is included)

Victor Davis Hanson: Carnage and Culture (Anchor) ISBN 0385720386

Donald Kagan: On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace

(Anchor) ISBN 0385423756

James Johnson Turner: Morality and Contemporary Warfare (Yale University Press) ISBN 0300091044

William Shakespeare: Henry V (Bantam) ISBN 0553212958

Paul Fussell: The Great War and Modern Memory (Oxford) ISBN 0195133323

George Orwell: Homage to Catalonia (Harvest) ISBN 0156421178

Paul Fussell: Wartime (Oxford) ISBN 0195065778

Michael Bilton and Kevin Sim: Four Hours at My Lai (Penguin) ISBN

0140177094

J Glenn Gray: The Warriors- Reflections on Men in Battle (Bison) ISBN

0803270763

Andrew Vals ed.: Ethics in International Affairs (Rowman and

Littlefield) ISBN 0847691578

Recommended Reading:

John Keegan: A History of Warfare

( The books are all available at the Campus Bookstore, but you may investigate other sources ( etc.) to find better prices.

Class Schedule:

September 9: Intro; What is War?

September 11: War and Morality; read 3 of the following: 1) Le Blanc and Register, "Constant Battles" (Course Packet I); 2) Clausewitz, "On War" (CP II); 3) Hanson, Chapter One Carnage and Culture; 4) Valls, Chapter 1

February 10: CRQ #1 due; read Course Packet (CP): Keegan; Valls Ch 1

February 12: read Kagan: Intro and Ch 1

February 17: no class; start reading Kagan Ch 3

February 19: CRQ #2 due; read Kagan: Ch 3 and Ch 5 (N.B. We are skipping CH 2 and 4 for now)

February 24: CRQ #3 due; read CP: Hansen's "The Western Way of War"

February 26: read CP: Augustine, Aquinas, Grotius

March 3: CRQ #4 due; read Shakespeare Henry V; Henry V

March 5: read Valls: Ch 2 and Turner: Ch 1 and 2 (Just War Theory)

March 10: CRQ #5 due; read Kagan Ch 2 and CP: Susan Moeller's "Shooting War" Part Two

March 12: read Fussell's "The Great War and Modern Memory" (as assigned)

March 17: CRQ # 6; read independently on the causes of the Spanish Civil War (at least 30 pages); view a copy of Picasso's "Guernica"; start Orwell's Homage to Catalonia

March 19: read Orwell: Homage to Catalonia

SPRING BREAK….

March 31: read CP: Moeller's "Shooting War" Part Three and TBA on WWII

April 2: ESSAY #1 DUE; Enemy at the Gate

April 7: CRQ #7 due; read Kagan: Ch 4

April 9: view/listen to WWII music from various websites including audio/ww2/ww2music.htm

April 14: CRQ#8 due; read, CP: Howard et al "Laws of War" Ch 8, handout "What is to be done with War Criminals?"

April 16; read Gray "The Warriors"

April 21: CRPQ #9 due; read Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War"; Bilton and Sim: "Four Hours in My Lai (start)

April 23: read "Four Hours at My Lai" (finish) ; CP: "Shooting War" Part Five

April 28: CRQ #10 due; read CP: "Gulf War Reader"; Valls: Ch 3

April 30: read CP: "Gulf War Reader"; prepare for Gulf War Trial (as assigned)

May 5: CRQ #11 due; read CP: Jones' "Women Warriors" excerpt

May 7: read Valls Ch 8, 9, 10 and one paper from JSCOPE 2002 usafa.af.mil/jscope/jscope.html on Humanitarian Intervention

May 12: read Valls Ch 5 + 6 or 7

May 14: read "Caution: Children at War" (handout) and independent reading on the Future of Warfare (10-15 pages)

Essay #2 due during final exam period

Suggestions for Critical Reading:

When reading any material, some things to keep in mind as you read---

1-What is the focus? What is the writer trying to argue for? Against? Why?

2-What evidence, reasoning, support or rationale does the writer give for his/her view? Why? Why do they think it is compelling, important?

3- What is the structure/order of the text? What significance does it have?

4-What kind of genre/approach is the writer using? Why? What discipline and assumptions are being used?

5-Does the argument/claim tally with reality or experience? Can you think of any counter-examples that would present a problem for the claim or argument?

6-Do you ‘buy’ the claim/argument? Why or why not?

7-Is the issue addressed an important one? Why or why not?

When reading, always write questions or comments in the margins. Be sure and constantly question what the writer is doing, how and why. Circle any references or terms that are unfamiliar or hard to understand and bring them up in class. Finally, remember the big picture.

NOTES:

Reading Load: While the reading load for this class might look Herculean, we will approach reading different from how you may have approach it in other classes, even Integrated Studies ones. Because of the breadth of the literature on war, we will be reading with the aim of 1) trying to get historical context; 2) trying to flesh out the critical issues and debates (and from what disciplinary perspective the author(s) are working) and 3) tracing our own responses – emotive and intellectual – as a means to pursue our own issues, questions and perspectives. This means that I expect you to read for the overall gist and (unless I direct otherwise) to read carefully those sections of each day's reading that stimulate YOUR questions or that YOU find interesting and want to pursue in class discussion…YOU are in the driver's seat!

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