Each week this class will focus upon a battle or campaign where a commander had tough choices to make. Due to the discussion-based format of this course of study, whereby the students and the instructor will investigate the available options in making the decision as well as the options the commander had to choose from (presented by the teacher during the class) we may take several classes to fully treat a battle such as Waterloo and students are welcome to 'drop in' as if just arriving on the scene. Thus, the following course outline is a general guide and students should feel encouraged to "drop in" at any time since the theme is military decision-making rather than any one commander or battle. These classes are "stand-alone" thus students do not need to have participated in a previous lesson. 

(IDEALLY, students completing Strategy & Tactics 101 followed by either Greatest Generals or Decisive Battles will be more prepared for this class. However, if they feel they have a sound grounding in the principles of war and a desire for digital glory....then by all means join this class!)

ACTUALLY, students do not need prior knowledge of Military History, strategy, or tactics to participate since they will learn these along the way by trial and error. 

The class will begin with a "Sit-rep", a situation report as to the immediate conditions prior to the battle, who the commanders are for each side, the basic order of battle and the fielding of questions concerning weapons and tactics. The teacher will present a battle simulation on a map and the teacher will move the units as per the student suggestion. 

A student can "drop in" and jump in the battle as if they are reserves having just been called up!

Then after the students have decided which side they wish to be on, we will walk through the battle - however, rather than following a historical reconstruction - THE STUDENTS will make decisions as to which units move where, when to attack and they will decide the conditions for victory. As the instructor I can (quite happily) play the adversary, but will mostly challenge the intended moves of the students by asking questions about their decisions. We will resolve combat with a simple series of combat rules which will be explained during the class. 

A Military Principles & Concepts handout will be attached to the Outschool Class page prior to the class - it is encouraged that the student read through the handout if they are unfamiliar with the military terms. 

FIRST SERIES of BATTLES

The Week of 1 June: The Battle of Hastings - 1066
The Week of 7 June: The Hundred Years War: The Crecy Campaign
The Week of 14 June: The Hundred Years War: The Agincourt Campaign
The Week of 21 June: The Saratoga Campaign
The Week of 27 June: The Waterloo Campaign
The Week of 7 July: The American Civil War: Chancellorsville
The Week of 14 July: The American Civil War: Gettysburg
The Week of 21 July: Palestine 1917: The Battles for Gaza
The Week of 28 July: The Second World War: Anzio

Topic 10: The Greco-Persian War: Marathon, 490 BCE
Topic 11: The Greco-Persian War: Thermopylae, 480 BCE
Topic 12: The Greco-Persian War: Salamis, 480 BCE
Topic 13: The Greco-Persian War: Plataea, 479 BCE
Topic 14: Operation Market-Garden: Arnhem"A Bridge Too Far"
Topic 15: The Vietnam War: The Battle for Hue City
Topic 16: The Napoleonic War: Austerlitz, 1805

CLASS will continue with further battle topics based upon various time periods.