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| 79-381/88-333--Spring 1995 | Prof. David A. Hounshell |
| Carnegie Mellon University |
Introduction
For almost fifty years, the United States and the Soviet Union
were engaged in the Cold War. This global stalemate emerged after
both nations had been allies against Hitler during World War
II. What political events precipitated the Cold War? What scientific
and technological developments fueled the arms race that characterized
the Cold War? What new institutions were created by the Cold
War, and how were existing institutions reshaped by it? 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 did--and
does--"the end of the Cold War" mean for citizens in
the United States and the former Soviet Union? What vestiges
of the cold War remain in our institutions and ideas? These are
some of the principal questions addressed in this upper-level
lecture and discussion class.
Grading
Several grading instruments will be used to evaluate student
performance in the course. These include:
Midterm examination 20 percent
Final examination 20 percent
Debriefing exercise 10 percent
Film/video review 10 percent
Novel review 10 percent
History review 10 percent
Classroom discussion 20 percent
Attendance Policy
This course is predicated on having extensive discussions in the classroom and on two-way learning through such discussions. Attendance is critical to the success of our enterprise and is, therefore, mandatory. I recognize that people get sick, sometimes have to study or finish papers for other classes, go to job interviews, etc. These needs are accommodated in the following attendance policy: Students will be allowed two unexcused absences with no questions asked. Thereafter, each unexcused absence will automatically reduce your grade by five (5) points (on a one hundred-point scale) irrespective of your performance in other dimensions of the course. I reserve the right to determine what is an "excused absence." As you rule, you should speak to me face-to-face or communicate with me via telephone or email before your absence.
Required Books
Gregg Herken, Counsels of War
Gregg Herken, The Winning Weapon
Jack M. Holl, ed., Atoms for Peace
Stuart W. Leslie, The Cold War and American Science
Ralph B. Levering, The Cold War: A Post-Cold War History
Ann Markusen and Joel Yudken, Dismantling the Cold War Economy
Elaine Tyler May, Homeward Bound
Ernest May, ed., American Cold War Strategy: Interpreting NSC 68
Martin Sherwin, A World Destroyed
Herbert F. York, The Advisors
Schedule
Final Examination as Scheduled by the University
NB: I reserve the right to change this syllabus at any time
during the semester.