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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

AM

Dec 12, 2015

This course has been an eye opening one, clearly giving poignant insights into the life of a soldier, the nature of war and the role of societies in it!

GP

Dec 6, 2019

Well done and well organized. Instructor is an excellent teacher--it feels like you are watching an episode of National Geographic on sociology of war!!

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76 - 100 of 183 Reviews for Paradoxes of War

By Mandhir S

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Apr 7, 2021

Excellent course. Really liked the Professors teaching style and knowledge-base.

By Henry-Claude B

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Feb 28, 2019

I liked a lot this course.

Thank you for your humanism and bravo for yours skills.

By Kam L

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Jun 5, 2021

Puts a new perspective on how war affects civilization and the future of war.

By Mariya G

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Aug 11, 2017

Well-structured and organised course! I would recommend it to my colleagues.

By Maria d L C P

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Aug 26, 2015

An incredible course with an amazing instructor. I love everything about it.

By Christophe A M C B

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Aug 25, 2015

A fantastic course if you want to realy understand what is to be a soldier.

By Olga L

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Dec 11, 2017

very interesting view and perspective on a sensitive and difficult subject

By Tom B

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Oct 21, 2018

Outstanding! Very informative, nonpolitical and thought provoking.

By Filippo T

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Apr 29, 2016

Really good! Great teacher and very good structure and arguments.

By mauro a

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Aug 24, 2024

Ottimo corso, quasi troppo lungo ma pieno di spunti interessanti

By Miguel A E

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May 15, 2016

Flexible Learning. Communicates directly to us. Intellectual.

By Marcel B

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Jul 31, 2021

Very good course I hope there will be a part2 in the future

By Madeleine W

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Mar 9, 2017

Really interesting course which allows for new insights.

By Pierre G S

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Oct 20, 2025

Great vision and insight on a very complicated subject.

By Ivan J

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Feb 8, 2016

Great teacher! Very interesting lessons and material.

By Deleted A

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Aug 28, 2015

Great teacher, very passionate. Cheers from Australia.

By Ismael M

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Jul 28, 2025

Excelente curso. Interesante, apasionante y completo.

By Сангаков Р М

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Oct 18, 2021

a decent course with a good professor. I appreciated

By Sinjini G C

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Mar 2, 2017

Its a wonderful course and shows the dynamics of war

By Henrique M P d S

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Aug 31, 2022

Excellemt course. It changed my form of view wars.

By Daniel Z

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Jan 5, 2016

Excellent Course with extremely detailed lectures.

By Michela M

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Aug 8, 2016

so far very interesting and masterfully explained

By Daniel J

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Oct 4, 2015

Curso imperdível! O melhor do Coursera até agora!

By Federico S

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Sep 13, 2015

It´s Excellent. Congratulations to the professor.

By Pere T

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Oct 8, 2017

It's a very interesting perspective of the war.