The purpose of this course is to examine the phenomenon of the Cold War from its origins through its ending. While the primary focus of the class will be the developing events of international relations and conflict a strong sub-text will be the effects of those developments on society and culture as seen in the art, literature, music and film of the era. The goals of the course are to develop an understanding of the complex nature of the Cold War and its overwhelming influence on policy and society. Students should also develop skills of gathering information, thinking critically about society and its development and communicating effectively. Starting with the background of the conflict in the differing histories, experiences and world views of the United States and Soviet Union through World War II the course will examine the beginning of the Cold War in the period immediately following the defeat of Nazi Germany. Major topics will include the collapse of allied cooperation in post war Europe, followed by the development of the policy of Containment as reflected in the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan and the creation of the the NATO and Warsaw Pact alliances. The early period of the Cold War witnessed a series of serious crises involving the Berlin Blockade, the Loss of China, the Korean War, a nuclear arms race, conflicts over Cuba, Laos and Vietnam and culminating in the construction of the Berlin Wall. The middle period of the Cold War was marked by the maturing of the conflict from one dominated by concerns over European security to a truly world wide competition with the War in Vietnam and the ideology of People's Revolution. The enormous costs of the Cold War ultimately led the principle rivals, the United States and the Soviet Union, to move toward a detente during the third phase of the Cold War. The course will climax with the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union during the early 1990s. Instruction will incorporate both lecture and discussion. Evaluation of student performance will be based on participation in discussions as well as written exams and a paper. The paper may focus on analyzing the Cold War's influence on society and culture through film, literature and the arts. Books that might be assigned for this course would include:
Ronald E. Powaski, The Cold War: The United States and the Soviet Union 1917-1991, (Oxford University Press, 1997)
Martin McCauley, The Origins of the Cold War, 1941 - 1949, Third Edition, (Longman, 2003)
John Lewis Gaddis, We Now Know: Rethinking the Cold War, (Oxford University Press; Reprint edition, 1998)
Barson, Michael and Heller, Steven. Red Scared!: The Commie Menace in Propaganda and Popular Culture, (Chronicle
Books, 2001).
Last Update: 6 March, 2005