Liberal Arts for Advanced Students II

"War is hell," said General William Tecumseh Sherman. He knew exactly what he meant. After all, he was the man who led the “March to the Sea" during the American Civil War, mercilessly burning and destroying every Southern town he came across. The 20th century, sometimes called the "century of war," made his words true even more ferociously and massively. According to the New York Times, at least 108 million people died in wars during the 20th century. This is a staggering number, in comparison to those who died from all wars through the entirety of preceding human history, between 150 million and one billion people. And even now, more than 20 years into the 21st century, wars show no sign of ceasing. Why have modernization and science, which supposedly contributed to human progress, not yet abolished this barbaric practice of "war"? In 1947, three years after the term "genocide" was coined to describe the systematic destruction of particular race or ethnic group, comedian Charlie Chaplin remarked in his film Monsieur Verdoux:

"One murder makes a villain; millions, a hero. Numbers sanctify, my good fellow.”

What history and power make this absurdity possible? And what should be done to resolve it? In this class, we will explore the answers to these questions through various documentaries, texts, and vigorous discussion.