DA3750 Anthropology of Conflict

The focus of this course is cross-cultural conflict and violent confrontation with a view to considering how anthropology might be better used to study modern warfare and large-scale ethnic conflict. For instance, military historians, political scientists, and foreign policy analysts increasingly refer to ‘culture' and religion, identity politics, and ideology to help explain the new world disorder. From an anthropological perspective, are they using these social science concepts correctly? This course is designed to not only expose students to anthropological concepts useful for understanding the motivations of combatants from other cultures and the nature of warfare as fought by different people(s), but the extent to which cross-cultural miscommunication can complicate the role of U.S. military personnel abroad. Prerequisites: None.

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Advance one's understanding of the anthropological, sociological, and psychological aspect of Irregular Warfare, as they relate to conflict, will, motivations, power-dynamics, decision making, and cross-cultural considerations.
• Develop a nuanced understanding of conflict from an anthropological perspective
• Advance critical thinking and exploration of complex concepts related to culture, identity, and conflict dynamics.
• Learn how to investigate the interplay between biology and culture in shaping human behavior.
• Learn to write an effective two 500-page papers.