Skip to main content
KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico

War and Society (Fall)

Key information

  • Module code:

    5SSWF005

  • Level:

    5

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

The module's purpose is to provide students with an understanding of the key issues in the historical, philosophical, ethical and sociological approaches to the study of war and the military. The module aims to develop students’ understanding of the relationship between armed forces and the societies they protect, an approach that has been central to the study of conflict in the Department of War Studies since its inception.

The module engages with the relationship between war and the state. It explores the social dynamics that lead to war and how societies are mobilised to fight wars. The module is intensely interested in the culture of war, the experiential, and how life on home and battle fronts interact to produce combat power and social change. The module will interrogate the role of women and race in war. It will explore why soldiers fight and how conflict can spawn an appetite for socio-political change and revolution.

The module will take a global approach and explore case studies from the period of the sixteenth century up to the present day. Throughout, the importance of a multi-disciplinary approaches to the subject is emphasised, not least the relationship between historical, philosophical, ethical and sociological perspectives. This is reflected in the integration of these approaches in the debates on key issues in War and Society that occur during the seminars for this module. 

Assessment details

100% Coursework

1 x 3000-word Essay

Educational aims & objectives

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of:

  • The relationship between war and the modern state
  • Issues in civil-military relations and the political role of the military
  • The causes and consequences of war
  • How and why wars are won
  • Mobilisation in war
  • The culture and experience of war
  • The role of women in war
  • The role of race in war
  • Theories of combat morale and motivation
  • Theories of war and social change, including how wars have led to political change, anti-colonial movements, changes to the role of women in society and civil-rights movements.
  • The effect of military service on voting behaviours and social and political change.
  • The key challenges to moral thinking about war
  • An appreciation of the role of just war thinking in the critical examination of war
  • The drivers of war crimes, barbarity and genocide and popular resistance against war
  • The intellectual, economic and financial drivers of war
  • The role war plays in shaping people’s expectations of the social contract, their relationship with the natural world and their sense of identity.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, successful students should possess the following:

  • an understanding of the main approaches to the study of war and society
  • a critical grasp of the various conceptual and thematic areas of study within war and society, including philosophical, ethical, sociological and historical approaches
  • the ability to research and analyse a chosen aspect of the module in some depth
  • enhanced team working skills
  • significant experience in oral presentation, debate and argument formulation (in written and oral form), as a foundation for future courses and careers.

Teaching pattern

The module is taught through weekly lectures, including debates and discussions, and bi-weekly seminars. 

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.