This course will examine the principal causes, themes, and events of the Cold War -- the defining global conflict of the second half of the 20th century -- from the perspectives of the United States and the Soviet Union. Special attention will be paid to the impact on American and Soviet societies of this multi-dimensional conflict that extended to the political, economic, military, legal, cultural, and ideological realms.
In keeping with the policy governing the College Writing Program, class attendance is required in a First Seminar. The policy states that unexcused absences for 10 percent of the scheduled class meetings (3 absences) constitute grounds for lowering the final grade by one letter grade; unexcused absences for 15 percent of the scheduled class meetings (4 absences) constitute grounds for lowering the final grade by two letters; unexcused absences for 20 percent of the scheduled class meetings (6 absences) constitute grounds for failing the course. If possible, the student should inform the instructor, via telephone or e-mail, prior to missing a class. Students who miss class for any reason must provide a written note upon their return to class, if they want the absence to be excused. If no note is provided, the absence is considered unexcused.
1) Participation in class discussion; one oral presentation, on a date to be assigned (counting 10% of the final grade);
2) Occasional informal writing assignments (ungraded);
3) Two mid-term examinations -- primarily essay in format -- to be given on February 7 and April 4 (each of which counts 25% of the final grade);
4) Four writing assignments -- on topics to be discussed in class -- resulting in 20-25 pages of revised and edited written work (counting 40% of the final grade). To aid in their planning, students may expect assignments to be due on the following dates (subject to change): January 24, February 19, March 19, April 23. There is no final examination in this course.
The books below are basic texts. In addition to these readings, supplementary assignments may occasionally be made. The outline below suggests the relation of the assigned readings to topics covered in class sessions; keeping up with the reading is essential in a seminar.
Walker, Introduction, chs. 1-2
Gaddis, ch. 1
Jensen, entire
5-page Essay Assignment #1 Due January 24, 2001
If you were to assign blame for the onset of Cold War in 1946-47, would it rest primarily with a) the USSR, b) the US, c) both, or d) neither? Why? What factor or factors would you cite as the major cause(s) of the Cold War?
Walker, ch. 3
Gaddis, chs. 2-4
Walker, chs. 4-5
Gaddis, chs. 5-8
5-page Essay Assignment #2 Due February 19, 2001
The assignment assumes that you will do some additional research, using primary as well as secondary source materials. Your essay should address the following questions:
What factors account for the intensity of the "Red Scare" of the late 1940s and early 1950s in the United States? What role was played by the American media and by American educational institutions? Was this 20th-century "witch hunt" a product of unique historical circumstances, or could it recur in American politics?
Walker, chs. 6-7
Gaddis, ch. 9
Walker, ch. 8
5-page Essay Assignment #3 Due March 19,2001
The assignment assumes that you will have read chapters 8 and 9 of Walker and that you will do some additional research. Your essay should address the following questions:
What role -- both actual and perceived -- did the Vietnam War play in the Cold War competition between the United States and the USSR? How did Nixon and Kissinger propose to use the rivalry between Moscow and Beijing to facilitate an acceptable settlement of the war?
Walker, chs. 9-10
Walker, ch. 11
Walker, chs. 12-13
Walker, ch. 14
Gaddis, ch. 10
FINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT
A paper of no fewer than five pages on the following topic is due on April 23,2001
"Identify the major factors that were responsible for the ending of the Cold War. Which one, in your judgment, is the single most important of these? Did the United States 'win' and the USSR 'lose' the Cold War, were they both 'winners,' or (as Walker contends) were they both 'superlosers'?"