Seeking Peace within War: Military Medicine and the Search for Healthy Violence

Abstract

As an institution, the military trains individuals to conduct violence while remaining, at least ideally, healthy. From the standpoint of the institution, a successful soldier is someone who is “an expert in the application of violence” at the same time that he or she is mentally and physically fit. With a close look at warfare and the U.S. military, this course tackles the intersection of violence and health. Students will explore the social, cultural, political, historical, and economic contexts shaping the health of war torn communities, soldiers, and veterans. With a particular emphasis on the health (as broadly defined) of Iraq and Afghan veterans, this course focuses on how specific institutions—for example, the U.S. Military, media, Veterans Affairs, families, the medical profession, and the legal system—influence individuals and conversely, how these individuals shape social structures