HIS* 249 The History of the Cold War

Credits: 3

The Cold War dominated world politics for nearly 50 years. From the end of World War II until the late 1980s the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a global stalemate that shaped both countries and indeed the world. With the conclusion of the Cold War, it has become possible for the first time to teach the subject from beginning to end, and to incorporate the viewpoints of all its major participants. We will investigate how the Cold War started and why, how it was waged and by whom, why it lasted as long as it did, and finally how it came to an end. Questions for consideration include: What political events laid the groundwork for the Cold War? What post-war scientific and technological developments fueled the arms race that characterized the Cold War? How did the Cold War condition society and culture? How did it shape the foreign policies of the U.S. and the Soviet Union? What Cold War legacies still influence us today?
Prerequisite: Placement at the ENG* 101 level or completion of required developmental English courses
TAP Competency: Critical Analysis & Logical Thinking