War and Global Change

by Barclay Barrios, Rutgers University, Fall 2002

Assignment One: The Future of American Militarism

According to Mary Kaldor, America is transitioning to a new kind of militarism, one aimed at allowing us to fight wars without casualties. At the same time, the US is becoming a major player in various multinational peacekeeping efforts. Evaluate the tensions between these two roles for the American military by using Kaldor's ideas to examine "America's Army," the video game released online by the US Army (http://www.americasarmy.com). You can examine either the video game itself, or the variety of texts surrounding it, such as its forum.

Drafts must be 3 pages long. Final papers must be 4 pages long.

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Assignment Two: War and Human Capability

Although Martha Nussbaum's immediate concern is the plight of women around the world, her articulation of the central human functional capabilities has implications for all human beings. Form a project in which you consider the impact of the military and war--in its new and traditional forms--on human functional capabilities.

Drafts must be 4 pages long. Final papers must be 5 pages long.

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Assignment Three: The Power of Context and Global Change

Malcolm Gladwell argues that change can be accomplished simply by altering the smallest values of an environment. While the Power of Context seemed to be effective in New York City, how effective might it be on a global scale? For this essay, consider the function of the power of context in effecting global change.

Drafts must be 4 pages long. Final papers must be 5-6 pages long.

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