The Cold War

For those who lived through it, it's hard to believe the Cold War ended over thirty years ago. But for those too young to remember it, it can be hard to appreciate why the Cold War was so significant. In this class we'll try to bridge that generational gap by explaining what it was like to grow up in the shadow of the Cold War and how echoes of this time period continue to shape modern politics. 

Topics we'll cover include the Russian Revolution, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Sputnik and the space race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, controversies around the development of nuclear weapons, and philosophical debates over communism vs. capitalism. By the end of the course you should understand how two former allies, The United States and The Soviet Union, became enemies for over forty years. Although they never went to war with each other, the tense ("cold") relationship of these two superpowers influenced the histories and politics of nearly every country on the planet in ways we still see today. 

NOTE: We are planning a study abroad trip to Amsterdam and Berlin in the summer of 2024 for students who take this class AND The Holocaust and Human Behavior. More details will be available this fall!

Prerequisites: The Holocaust and Human Behavior, or by permission.

Instructor: Laura Fokkena
 

DETAILS:

Suggested age range: 13+

Outside work: Main text is George Orwell's Animal Farm. There will be one movie to watch most weeks. Read/watch other media as assigned.

When & where: Fridays on Zoom from 12:30-1:30 Eastern Time, Apr. 12 - June 28, 2024.

Fee: $200 ungraded/$250 graded; this includes a non-refundable registration fee of $10. Students must purchase or borrow their own copies of Animal Farm. There may also be some movies or documentaries to rent for a small fee (usually $2-3). Payment plans available. Fees waived for families with financial need. (Waivers and payment plan information.) Questions about how classes work? Read our course FAQ.