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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Paradoxes of War by Princeton University

4.6
stars
702 ratings

About the Course

The Paradoxes of War teaches us to understand that war is not only a normal part of human existence, but is arguably one of the most important factors in making us who we are. Through this course, I hope that you will come to appreciate that war is both a natural expression of common human emotions and interactions and a constitutive part of how we cohere as groups. That is, war is paradoxically an expression of our basest animal nature and the exemplar of our most vaunted and valued civilized virtues. You will learn some basic military history and sociology in this course as a lens for the more important purpose of seeing the broader social themes and issues related to war. I want you to both learn about war, but more importantly, use it as way of understanding your everyday social world. So, for example, the discussion of war and gender will serve to start you thinking about how expectations of masculinity are created and our discussion of nationalism will make clear how easy “us-them” dichotomies can be established and (ab)used. I will suggest some readings for you to complement the class and assign some activities through which you will be able to apply the theoretical insights from the course to your observations of everyday life. At the end of the course, you will start to see war everywhere and come to appreciate how much it defines our life. All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion....

Top reviews

JG

Feb 28, 2016

Very well done. However, I disliked how the course itself and even the professor glorified positive aspects of war.

PT

Feb 23, 2016

A good course and very interesting perspectives. A pity Princeton does not issue certificates.

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176 - 183 of 183 Reviews for Paradoxes of War

By Antoine C

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Jun 16, 2017

V

By Julie C

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Jan 14, 2016

For an undergraduate course it's good - my only comment is on delivery - quotations given verbally might have been better if shown on screen to drive them home.

I hope the professor will do a military history course that analyzes war more particularly now that we have the broad strokes. My interest is piqued from this course and I want to know more about specific wars/battles. I am also interested in war prior to 1500, esp. ancient civilizations.

By Rui V

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Sep 22, 2016

Weekly quizzes would be great!

By Louis H

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Aug 19, 2025

Good item

By Ricardo R I

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Jun 20, 2023

It's a extended introductory course. Very useful to first understanding about war, history and sociologycal issues related. But I haven't gotten my certificate, since six years ago.

By Bill W

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Jun 11, 2018

The course content is very good and well delivered. Unfortunately, the forums are not replied to and you have to send months rejoining the close in order to get sufficient comments on your work to complete the course. In my case it took nine months just to finish, even though I completed the materials in under two months. It would be great if the backroom parts of the course were as good as the material and delivery.

By Robert W M

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Feb 4, 2016

After almost a year I am still waiting to receive my grade of 90%+ for c

By Diane L

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Aug 22, 2015

New format makes it impossible to watch off-line.