Course Syllabus
Course Description
Welcome to The Historical Experience of War. In this course, we will journey through four millennia of history to explore the diverse and multifaceted experiences related to war. We will delve into the profound impact of war on individuals and societies across around the globe, examining it from the perspectives of soldiers, their family members, and non-combatants.
Our primary mode of learning will be through close readings of historical documents. This approach enables us to study the intricate details and nuances of firsthand accounts in the form of poems, paintings, books, and more. By looking at a variety of historical documents, we will gain a deeper understanding of the personal and collective experiences of war.
Rather than following a traditional, linear historical narrative, this course adopts a comparative approach. By examining different cultures and time periods, we will discern patterns and similarities in the experience of war over time—as well as discern specifics that are historically or culturally distinct.
There are three modules in this course:
- Myth, Narrative, and the Experience of War
- Empire, Resistance, and the Experience of War
- Race, Gender, and the Experience of War
You can participate in one or more of the modules. For each module that you complete (including the assignments), you will receive a digital badge, which you can add to your digital resume (for example through LinkedIn). For more information on badging, see the next page.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Analyze and interpret primary historical documents: Students will develop the skills to critically engage with primary sources related to war. They will learn how to do close readings of texts in an effort to understand the ways in which narratives reveal broad philosophical, ethical, mythological, and cultural perspectives.
- Compare and contrast diverse historical experiences of war: Through comparative analysis, students will examine common themes, unique historical contexts, and varying responses to conflict. In the process, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the diverse historical experiences related to war.
- Develop an analytical understanding of historical memory: By exploring the narratives of war that reveal the experiences of individuals, communities, and nations, students will begin to understand that the way societies remember, commemorate, and learn from their historical experiences of war is an important cultural practice.
Course Requirements
Required Text and Materials
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You do not need to purchase any books for this course. However, there is a video you may need to purchase for Module 2 (Native America: New World RisingLinks to an external site.). If you have a PBS Passport accountLinks to an external site., you already have access to the video. If not, you can purchase this videoLinks to an external site. to watch on AppleTV.
Technical Requirements
You will need the following in order to participate in this course:
- Computer or tablet;
- Reliable internet connection;
- Access to Canvas using the Chrome browser;
- A Hypothes.is account and Chrome plugin;
Badging and Assessment
This course is a free, open educational resource. Consequently, there is no required assessment. However, the modules in this course provide you the option to earn digital badges. Digital badges allow you to demonstrate that you have developed a set of knowledge or a skill. You can display them online or on your resume, just like any credential that you receive.
The great thing about digital badges is that they encode information about the knowledge or skills that you have learned. So, unlike a college transcript, which just provides a list of courses, a digital badge can include the specific details of a course, a workshop, or certificate that you receive. This is especially helpful to employers, teachers, or collaborators who want to have a better sense of your knowledge base and skill set.
Digital badges can help you demonstrate your achievements. You might consider, for example, embedding them in your website or adding them to your LinkedIn profile. You can even share them on your social media profile.
Here at Indiana University, we use Canvas Credentials, which is compliant with all systems that use the Open Badges framework. What this means is that you can set up a profile in Canvas Credentials (or other Open Badges provider) and import all of your badges into one location. Each badge you receive offers you lots of ways to export it into other formats as well.
Here’s a video summary of Canvas Credentials:
When you complete a module in this course, you will receive a badge with information on how to use it. If you’re interested in how the process works, check out this page.
Submitting Assignments
If you wish to work through the course without earning badges, there is no need to submit assignments. If you wish to earn a badge, there is no timeline for completing course modules. You can work entirely at your own pace.
As you work through the modules, each assignment will provide you all the details that you need to submit your work.
Assessment and Earning Badges
If you are completing a module for a badge, you will verify that you have submitted all assignments and notify the instructor, who will review your work.
Assignments are reviewed on a Satisfactory / Non-Satisfactory basis. If an assignment is “Not Satisfactory,” you have the option to revise and resubmit it.
Badges are awarded when every assignment in a module is graded as “Satisfactory.”
Course Summary:
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