>> Download this syllabus as .pdf
This graduate proseminar offers an in-depth introduction to some of the debates that have defined Cold War scholarship, particularly in the past decade. Historical discourse constantly re-invents itself. In few fields has this been so self-evident as in Cold War scholarship after the end of the East-West conflict in 1989. New sources from formerly Communist controlled archives have forced us to rethink many of our assumptions about the Cold War, even if overall conclusions have not entirely changed.
Cold War scholarship has become more sophisticated and complex. On the one hand new methodological approaches have redefined the entire field of diplomatic history (culture and gender); on the other hand, the Cold War is no longer seen as a simple U.S. vs. Soviet Union affair – the weak also had leverage in the Cold War. We need to understand the imperial structures of both superpowers in the Cold War and how allies and “satellites” constantly challenged the imperial centers of power. This proseminar aims at confronting students with these debates, but also to make them place the Cold War era into the larger context of twentieth century (“the American Century”) history. In order to control he huge amount of scholarship available and make for a coherent discussion, the foci will be on the Cold War in Europe and the Third World and on American domestic politics.
]]>
Historians act within or react to these traditions. At times they even become servants of the state. Some historians achieve “greatness” with their interpretations and found schools or unleash major controversy. The historian as gadfly—arguing against received traditions—are crucial elements in historical discourse. This Proseminar takes a more biographical approach to end of the Cold War diplomacy, but structural factors will not be ignored (paradigm shifts in the international system and the respective roles of state actors; the influence of regional conflicts on superpower relations; the role of diplomatic traditions and shifts in diplomatic practice; major issues such as arms races and arms control; the roles of public opinion and intelligence).
]]>
This is a distance learning course. You will be responsible for listening to Professor Ambrose’s lectures handed out on DVD and for attending Professor Bischof’s scheduled evening sessions without fail. Readings will have to be done by the dates indicated on the syllabus so you will be prepared for discussing them in class.
]]>Transnational Perspectives This course will look at the turmoil of the 1960s as a crisis decade culminating in the “year of shocks” 1968 from a comparative international perspective. It will cover some of the major movements in the United States (youth cultures, civil rights, Vietnam War and anti-war) but also look at their significance in the world at large. The “protest culture” of the 1960s and the eruption of violent protests will be studied in their global context, how they radicalized and fed on each other. The significance of the 1960s in the trajectory of the post-World War II world will also be assessed by looking at text books.]]>