Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Osgood
Office: HU 151
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 12-2 (and by appointment).
Phone: (561)
297-2816
Email: kosgood@fau.edu
Instructor’s Web Site: http://www.fau.edu/~kosgood
Course Web Site: http://wise.fau.edu/~kosgood/coldwar/home
Course Description:
The Cold War dominated the political, cultural, social, and international landscape of most of the twentieth century. In this course we will explore some of the ways that the Cold War affected life in the United States. We will look not only at political and diplomatic developments, but also aspects of American society and popular culture. In particular, we will focus on six case studies that explore different facets of Cold War America: (1) the origins of the conflict; (2) the cultural and political climate of the early Cold War, often called the “Cold War consensus”; (3) the shadow cast by the atomic bomb on American life; (4) the Cuban Missile Crisis; (5) intelligence and espionage; and (6) the Vietnam War.
We will examine these cases in a somewhat unusual manner (for many college courses, that is!). Rather than reading textbooks or listening to lectures, we will analyze and discuss important primary sources from the period – including novels, oral histories, magazine articles, and “classified” government documents, as well as films, music, and literature. Thus, aside from learning about Cold War America, a primary objective of the course is developing your skills in reading and analyzing various kinds of primary sources. Throughout the course, you will be “active” historians. You will use these primary sources to uncover and decipher Cold War history, and to arrive at your own broader conclusions about the impact of the conflict on American life.
Course Requirements:
This is a reading and discussion course, not a lecture
course. To do well, you must
complete all of the reading prior to class, and you must come to class prepared
to discuss. Your regular
participation and attendance count for most of your course grade. Your grade will also be determined by essay
and homework assignments.
In short, consistency and effort, as well as quality of work, will
determine your grade.
For
lecture and readings schedule, click here.
Required Materials and Readings:
About the Readings:
Compared to other courses, there is a fairly hefty volume of reading for this class. For you to succeed in this course, it is essential that you study the various primary sources very closely. And by closely, I mean closely. You cannot simply just cram the readings into your head in one sitting. You will have to read, take notes as you read, and think about what you have read. Some of the readings, especially The Kennedy Tapes, will require exceptional effort.
One of the objectives of this course is to develop your
skills analyzing – and deriving meaning from – the various kinds of primary
sources that historians use to write Cold War history: official documents, works of fiction,
oral histories, songs, films, poetry, etc. Throughout the course, you will be asked to analyze these
sources as sources. What kinds of information can be
gleaned from them? What sorts of
things are left out? To whom are
the sources addressed? What are
the benefits and limitations of different kinds of sources? And, above all else, what do these
sources tell us about the Cold War in America?
About the Online Sources:
Many of the readings for the class
are primary-source documents that are posted online. Links to these sources are on the schedule
page of the online syllabus. Please make sure you print copies of these sources and bring
them to class! (Although this may
seem expensive or burdensome, it will be much cheaper than the alternative of
requiring you to purchase a course-packet or published reader.) We will often refer to particular
passages of the documents, and you may be directed to complete in-class writing
assignments based on the documents, so this is very important.
Discussion and Attendance:
Discussion is an integral part of the course. Every day in class, we will discuss the readings and other primary sources. It is essential that you complete all of the required reading for the week before class, or else you cannot participate! Your participation counts for a quarter of your grade! Please be advised that I do assign grades ranging from “A” to “F” on participation.
In addition, for every class meeting, you will be required
to keep a journal entry pertaining to the reading. This is explained on the assignments page of the online syllabus. Be prepared to share your journal
entries with your classmates during the semester.
Because there are no tests and your grade will be determined by your participation,
attendance does
count. If you miss more than three classes,
for any reason other than a documented emergency, you will not receive a
passing grade in the course. No
exceptions. (Be advised: this three-day
limit includes the first day of class!)
Announcements and Online
Syllabus:
Please note that there may be changes to the course schedule, so please check the web site regularly. Note especially the announcements page: here I will post any announcements made in class. Occasionally I will announce particular study questions that you should answer in your journals. I will also post these questions on the announcements page.
Grade Breakdown:
5% Periodical Presentation
20% Journal / Quizzes / Homework / In-class writing
25% Participation and Consistency of Effort
50% Essays
Miscellaneous:
1.
Please arrive on time for class.
2.
No late work! Please read
and take note of the late policy posted on the essay guidelines.
3.
Please do not cheat or plagiarize. All cases will be prosecuted to the
fullest, according to FAU policy.
4. If you miss class, check the announcements page online to find
out if you missed any class news.
5. Please bring to every class your journal
and hard-copies of the readings.
6. Feel free to visit me during office
hours: I am here to help.
Return to K.
Osgood’s Home Page