The Lens of War: American History Through the Study of the Military

Kevin Adams, Kent State UniverSITY

“The Lens of War” is designed as a graduate-level survey of the manifold ways in which armed conflict and the military as an institution have shaped the history of what is now the United States.  Since the course is part of the “States of Violence” concentration in our graduate program, many of its readings will also consider the reach, meaning, and significance of violence.  Outside of reinforcing my central belief that chronological breadth is essential for Americanists, my goals for the class are to provide you a new synthetic lens through which you can understand American history and to expose you to some of the many ways specialists in War & Society approach the subject.