Welcome

Technology and war are inextricably linked and technological arms races often seem to be both a driving and a limiting force in warfare. This course will look at some key technologies which are sometimes seen to have determined warfare in their age and then investigate the interaction between hardware, policy, tactics, strategy, society, morals, and the philosophy of armed conflict.  The course will conclude with a critique of contemporary trends in military technology development, procurement, and deployment.

This course takes a look at many of the folloing topics:

  • Long durée views of technology in war and technological determinism
  • Key technologies in history such as the chariot, crossbows, cannon, airplanes, tanks, battleships, machine guns, and so forth – topics vary year to year
  • Technologies and social movements: colonialism, nationalism, political movements (fascism, communism, the market-economy)
  • The military-industrial complex
  • Traditional vs. non-traditional warfare
  • Non-lethal technologies