Since the end of the Cold War the US has been widely viewed as an imperial power–one having a truly global level of influence with no peer. Instead of colonies the US has hundreds of military bases throughout the world. The “imperial” characterization is now accepted by both supporters and critics of official policy. This class evaluates the genesis of this US empire, beginning with the Cold War in the late 1940s and extending through more recent conflicts with Serbia, postcommunist Russia, and elements of the Islamic world.

The class will stress conflicting interpretations of US policy, particularly the motives of US policymakers. In the section on the Vietnam War, for example, students will be encouraged to consider why the United States acted as it did, to evaluate several potential explanations for US actions in Vietnam, and to decide which possible explanations seem most plausible.

Please Note: This course is a repeat of Professor Gibbs’ course from Fall 2017.

Please Note: Fall 2020 Course Registration Opens Online on Monday, August 10th at 8AM (AZ Time)

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• All Fall 2020 courses will be ONLINE ONLY.
• Courses will be delivered online via the Zoom video conferencing platform. All courses will be password protected and only available to enrolled students.
• All class sessions will be recorded and made available to enrolled students for a limited time to assist those who may not be able to attend the live class times.
• The Humanities Seminars Program reserves the right to cancel any seminar that fails to meet registration minimums. If a course is canceled all students enrolled in the canceled course will receive a full refund.