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Undergraduate Fields of Specialization: War, Peace, and Society

War, Peace, and Society

Few things have shaped the human experience more than warfare. No matter the time or place, human societies have been preoccupied with the conduct of war and the pursuit of peace. Military historians have long focused their studies of war on great generals, dramatic cavalry charges, and tactical maneuvers that helped rulers and nations realize their strategic objectives. In expanding the scope of study beyond the battlefield, this field of specialization examines the far-reaching causes and consequences of war and peace and the many different forms and manifestations that they have taken at different times and in different places. Faculty provide a wide array of courses that situate the traditional aspects of war and diplomacy within a broader historical context. By studying people ranging from the common foot soldiers in the trenches to planners, refugees, and families on the home front, students will develop a greater understanding of the personal hopes, fears, and motivations that shape the conduct of warfare. Further, by looking at the social, political, economic, and cultural impact of violent conflict on civilizations ranging from the ancient world to the present, students will ultimately gain a broad historical background on the pressing questions of war and peace facing the world today.