Discussing Ancient and Modern War with Florida Veterans

War: Ancient and Modern, funded by the National Endowment for Humanities as part of the Dialogues on the Experience of War program, is bringing military-affiliated students at the University of West Florida (UWF) together with civilians to discuss a wide variety of literature and images about war. These include texts from ancient Greece, World Wars I and II, and our present conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through collective engagement with authors ranging from Plato to Kurt Vonnegut, students are discovering fresh insights about war and surprising connections among the experiences of soldiers separated by centuries, continents, and cultures. Intimate seminars, co-led by two trained facilitators and capped at ten students, are designed to build community and foster appreciation for literary learning.

“You need the humanities to be well rounded, as it is creativity and appreciation of human accomplishments that fosters an attitude that saves us all and cultivates our desire to learn even more.”

Military-affiliated participants, who have made up a little more than half of the students, report that the program has provided helpful insights into their experiences both inside and outside the military. One veteran alumnus reflected that “the discussions we had applied to many cases of my life.” Another stated that the experience “inspired me to do much of my own research in my personal quest for answers” adding that, “most veterans and future servicemen/women stand to benefit from this course.” Civilian participants, too, reported in course evaluations that the class helped them to reflect on their beliefs and experiences, as well as providing a richer, more personal context for war.

One veteran alumnus of the program testified, “you need the humanities to be well rounded, as it is creativity and appreciation of human accomplishments that fosters an attitude that saves us all and cultivates our desire to learn even more.” The program’s success has encouraged Ramsey to explore ways to make it a permanent part of UWF’s curriculum and expand its reach. He is currently pursuing funding to offer the seminar to community members through UWF’s Continuing Education program after the conclusion of the NEH grant in June 2019.