How To Lose a War (self-paced)
In this seven-session course, students will study different conflicts from military history that ended in disaster (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, U.S. Civil War), understand what the losing side did wrong, and what they could have done differently.
Nelson Dean, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(305)
What's included
7 pre-recorded lessons
7 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. At the end of each class, students will receive an optional homework assignment that will encourage them to reflect on what they learned, often through the examination of primary sources and images from class. The goal of these assignments is to check for understanding, as well as give students a chance to stretch their critical thinking skills. Instructor feedback will be provided to students who submit their assignments within one week of submission.Grading
Grades can be provided for the course upon request and based on submission of optional assignments.Class Experience
In this course, we will discuss five different military disasters that led to defeat in their respective wars. During each class we will focus on a particular aspect of warfare that made the difference between victory and defeat. In so doing, we will try to answer questions like what went wrong, could it have been avoided, and did anyone see it coming? We’ll use a combination of primary and secondary source material like letters, maps, and age-appropriate video to answer these questions, in tandem with questioning for students.
Although the content of this course will include the discussion of warfare, we will be focused on the academic understanding of the conflict. We won’t be showing any graphic images, descriptions, or depictions of violence, or focusing on the morality of these conflicts in general. Naturally, parents should use their judgement and understanding of their individual learner to decide if the course is right for them! Students do not need to be experts in military history to take and enjoy this class, and regardless of whether students are new to the field or budding experts they will have the opportunity to learn and think critically!Learning Goals
Students will understand how logistics, terrain, and operational planning affects the ability of armies to fight effectively.Students will understand how political decision-making effects the way wars are fought and perceived by societies that fight them.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum6 Units
7 Lessons
over 7 WeeksUnit 1: Intro and Eastern Front
Lesson 1:
Introduction
We will have a brief welcome to the course, and explain the habits of mind and thinking behind military history and how we will look at the wars discussed in the class. 1 assignment
5 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Germans on the Eastern Front, 1941-42
How did Germans go from what seemed like unstoppable victory in 1941 to utter defeat by the end of 1942? 1 assignment
13 mins of video lessons
Unit 2: Gallipoli
Lesson 3:
Gallipoli
How did the world's biggest empire bungle an invasion against one of WWI's weakest major military powers? 1 assignment
7 mins of video lessons
Unit 3: Vietnam
Lesson 4:
Politics and War in Vietnam
How did the U.S. hurt their position in Vietnam before the first soldier stepped into the country? 1 assignment
10 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Parental Guidance
While the structure of the course is academic in nature and the instructor avoids graphic depictions of violence, there will be times that the course involves the discussion of military behaviors in a historical context.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
The list below is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather lists major secondary texts used as a starting point for course preparation by the instructor:
- The German Way of War by Robert Citino
- The March of Foley by Barbara Tuchman
- The First World War: A Complete History by Martin Gilbert
- The Civil War by Shelby Foote
- Six Days of War by Michael B. Oren
Joined March, 2020
4.9
305reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from University of Georgia
Bachelor's Degree in History from University of Georgia
For the last fifteen years, I have taught in a brick-and-mortar high school including AP World History, AP European History, AP Art History, and AP English Language so I have many years of experience teaching this material to a diverse array of students.
I have also been teaching military technology on Outschool for the last four years, and am thrilled to be on this platform to share my passion for the humanities with new students at a variety of age and experience levels.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$13
weekly or $87 for all content7 pre-recorded lessons
7 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
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Ages: 10-16
