War and American Society

John Worsencroft, Louisiana Tech University

The primary objective of this course is to investigate the historical relationship between war and American society from (roughly) the Civil War to the present—although we will spend the majority of our time studying the 20th century. The topics and themes of this course will focus on the intersections of war with the social, political, cultural, and economic engines of American life. Therefore, it will not be a comprehensive history of the United States, nor will it be a traditional military history course that focuses on battles, campaigns, or changes to military technology, strategy, or tactics.

 Instead, in this class we will explore several interlocking questions:

 1.      How has war contributed to Americans’ sense of themselves as a nation and a people?

2.      How has war shaped American politics and government since the end of the Civil War?

3.      How has war shaped opportunities for men and women, even in times of relative peace?

4.      In what ways has war been a proving ground for “Americanness”?

 This class will also develop several academic skills that have broad applications in everyday life.  You will analyze primary sources and make clear arguments backed by evidence through writing assignments and oral communication. You will sharpen your critical thinking skills by making sense of conflicting and competing narratives of the past and present.  You will also learn how to conduct research on historical topics in order to strengthen your information literacy skills.