This course presents a reading of the Chinese classic Art of War (aka, Sun Zi, Bing Fa), the oldest extant military treatise. This book has been adapted and reinterpreted for many purposes. Not only has it been used in fields such as military theory and government administration, but has also become increasingly popular among business executives and managers. Some of its principles include strong leadership, knowledge of the circumstances, and effective logistics. In the course, we will discuss these ideas in their historical context and examine what the text has to offer to modern day readers.
Course Requirements:
1. Group presentation (15%) 2. Response papers twice a week (40%) 3. Draft of final paper (10%) 4. Final version of final paper (20%) 5. Active participation (15%)
Intended Audience:
Undergraduates in such LSA majors or minors as Asian Studies, History, Comparative Literature, International Studies, Organizational Studies, Political Science, Sociology, or Business; undergraduates in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Class Format:
Two 90-minute lecture sections weekly