What is the course about?
This course is about America’s War on Terror. We will trace the American response to 9/11. In addition to discussing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we will cover the political and legal debates.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
• The Bush Doctrine
• The War in Afghanistan
• The justification for the War in Iraq and the lead up to that war
• The Iraqi insurgency and American counterinsurgency techniques
• The policies of “enhanced interrogation” and the debates about torture
• Anti-war protests
• The political fallout in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 elections
• Cultural depictions of the War on Terror and the War in Iraq.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
¿Describe the Bush administration’s response to 9/11
¿ Discuss why the United States remained involved for two decades
¿ Discuss American strategy during the war and the role U.S. forces played in the fighting
¿ Outline how Americans debated the war and were divided by it.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
¿ This is an introductory-level course. No prior knowledge is necessary, only curiosity.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
¿ This module will be taught via Zoom, using a combination of lecture and discussion.
¿ We will also look at primary sources, both written texts and videos.
¿ You do not need to do work outside of class, but materials will be available if you wish to learn more.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
None.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Explore our 'US Controversies' series, which looks at difficult aspects of American history.
