War and Peace in the Modern World

Transcription

1 Brock University History 2P64 Winter 2014 War and Peace in the Modern World David Schimmelpenninck War is sweet to those who don t know it. - Erasmus War is too important a business to leave to the generals - Georges Clemenceau You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you. - Lev Trotstkii Office: GL 229; Tel: , ext. 3507; dschimme@brocku.ca Office hours: Thursday , or by appointment Lectures are on Tuesday in TH 256 Seminar 1 meets on Monday in TH 133 Seminar 2 meets on Thursday in MC J209 Seminar 3 meets on Wednesday in IC 111 Course Overview Why and how have states gone to war? How have they kept at peace? This course surveys the military and diplomatic history of the world beginning with the Napoleonic Wars, ca. 1800, through the twentieth century. While the focus will be on the Great Powers, it will also examine conflicts and international relations in Asia and Africa.

2 Hist 2P64 War and Peace in the Modern World 2 Requirements & Grading Prospectus 5% of grade A 1-page statement of intent for the paper to be written during the term. Must include full bibliographical citations of at least 5 books, 3 articles and 3 web sites you plan to use. Due at the start of lecture on February 4. Paper 30% of grade A 10-page paper on a topic relevant to the course. Due at the start of lecture on March 25. Seminar Preparation 20% of grade Prepare and lead 1 seminar during the semester. Seminar Participation 20% of grade Attendance at seminars is mandatory. You will also be expected to do the required readings before all seminar meetings and to participate in the discussions. Final Exam 25% of grade A 3-hour exam at the end of the term, which will be based on the lectures and the 3 lecture texts (Black, Strachan, Townshend). Required Texts - These are for sale at the Brock University Bookstore Jeremy Black, Introduction to Global Military History. 2 nd edition. Hew Strachan, European Armies and the Conduct of War. Charles Townshend, ed., The Oxford History of Modern War. New edition.

3 Hist 2P64 War and Peace in the Modern World 3 Housekeeping Students will maintain proper decorum during lectures and seminars. This means refraining from conversations or any other behaviour that may distract others. As in all classes at Brock, cellphones, smartphones, ipods must always be turned off during lectures and seminars. You may use computers in class, but only to take lecture notes. I will respond to polite messages, but cannot always do so instantly. Please do not worry if you haven t heard from me within three days. I will consider extensions for medical or personal emergencies, but they must be substantiated by a doctor s note or other documentation and will be granted entirely at my discretion. Emergencies do not include ill-tempered computers, nor the exigencies of other courses, jobs, or your love life. Work handed in late without my permission will be penalised by 20% of that assignment s grade for every 24 hours after the date it is due. I will provide more details about the assignments during seminar meetings. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and automatically results in failing the assignment as well as a notice on the student s official transcript. Papers must be submitted to Turnitin.com before the due date. To pass the course you must get a passing average grade and complete all assigned work, including the final exam. Two or more unexcused absences from seminars will jeopardise your chances of earning a passing grade for this course.

4 Hist 2P64 War and Peace in the Modern World 4 Jan 7 1. Overview No Seminar Lectures, Readings and Films Lecture Texts: Black, Chapter 1; Strachan, Chapter 1; Townshend, Chapter 2. Jan Basic Training 3. Napoleon Lecture Texts: Black 2; Strachan 2-3; Townshend 3-4. Seminar - Introduction Jan Vienna 5. Clausewitz & Jomini Lecture Text: Strachan 5, 7. Seminar Waterloo Seminar Text: Creasy, The Battle of Waterloo : * Screening on Thursday, Jan. 23 The Charge of the Light Brigade Jan America s Civil Wars 7. Crimea Lecture Text: Black 3. Seminar The Crimean War Seminar Texts: Tennyson, The Charge of the Light Brigade : ; Tolstoi, In December 1854 : Feb 4 8. Small Wars 9. Asia Besieged Lecture Texts: Black 4, Strachan 6;Townshend 6. Seminar Battle Seminar Text: Townshend 12; Sweeney, To Ivy Willams : + Paper prospectus due at start of lecture. Feb Navalism 11. The Concert s Collapse Lecture Texts: Strachan 8; Townshend 5. Seminar Navalism Seminar Texts: Townshend 13, Kennedy, Two Interpretations of British Sea Power : Feb 18 Winter Break * Available on Sakai.

5 Hist 2P64 War and Peace in the Modern World 4 Lectures, Readings and Films, cont d Feb World War I: The Western Front 13. World War I: The Eastern Front Lecture Texts: Black 5; Strachan 9; Townshend 7-8; Seminar Women and War Seminar Texts: Townshend 16, Susan Greyzel, Women and War : Screening of Grand Illusion Mar The Phoney Peace 15. World War II The European Theatre Lecture Texts: Black 6-7; Strachan Seminar Society and War Seminar Texts: Townshend 16. Mar World War II The Pacific Theatre 17. Wars of Liberation Lecture Text: Black 8, 10; Townshend 10. Seminar Guerrilla Warfare Seminar Text: Mao Zedong, On Guerrilla Warfare : Mar Cold War Lecture Texts: Black 10, 12; Townshend 9; Strachan 12. Seminar Modern War Seminar Texts: Townshend 18. Screening of We Were Soldiers Mar The Future of War - Guest Lecture by John Thompson 21. Review Lecture Texts: Black Seminar Vietnam Seminar Texts: Truong Nhu Tang, A Viet Cong Memoir : ; Michael Herr, Dispatches :. + Paper due at start of lecture on Tuesday, March 25.