MLA Practicum: The Modern War

Catalog description

This class will introduce students to the basic concepts of modern warfare, its evolution, and some of the immeasurable ways by which it shaped our history as well as our world today. What is the meaning of total war, conventional war, and asymmetric war, and how were these different types of war fought in the 20th and 21st centuries? How have strategy, operations and tactics been transformed by the modern state; the industrial revolution; and the accelerated pace of technological change? From the Napoleonic wars to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, how do wars reflect, and shape, our politics, economics, culture, and technology? No prior knowledge of military history (or technology) is required. To better understand battlefield dynamics and constraints, we will conduct a mock staff ride (in-depth study of a campaign, including roleplaying), in class during meeting 2.