FWS: America at War in the Modern World

3.0 credits · Undergraduate

This first-year writing seminar will discuss how defense policy can be understood and evaluated through effective writing. Recent American wars have ended badly, with much doubt about the policies that created them. Modern American history is a long series of global conflicts, from the World Wars to Afghanistan. Through writing, this course will investigate: why so many wars? What policies created the conflicts? Readings include accounts of soldiers, civilians, and policymakers. Students will write a series of essays exploring American defense policies, and the wartime experience of ordinary people, finishing with an essay that draws larger lessons about US military engagement with the world. Students will be advised and evaluated on the strength of their writing with an emphasis on clarity and evidence.