Course Description:

The course draws material from selected disciplines of the humanities, exploring how and why America has gone to war beginning with World War II, through the Cold War period, and, finally, the Gulf War. Soldiers Fought II examines how war has shaped national strategy and how conflict affected peacetime society. The course will provide the student with a rich body of content from history and literature on the military, cultural, and social content of war. In addition, the course raises broader moral and ethical issues through the study of war. This will enable the student to better come to grips with the ethical responsibilities of the individual citizen, to understand political decisions regarding wars, and to recognized limitations on one's ability to choose war or peace. Students will be notified of required texts and course direction by way of the professor's syllabus.

This course contains two or more video components (see below).
 

Required Meetings:

January 3, 2000

    A. Overview and the Clausewitzian model;
    B. Twentieth Century military theorists and mechanization of U.S. Military: Fuller and Liddell Hart, Douhet and Mitchell, Chaffee and Patton;
    C. Causes and World War II;
    D. The beginning of the Cold War.
 

January 31, 2000

    A. Korean War: the limited conflict;
    B. The Vietnam War;
    C. Mid-term 20% of grade.
 

February 21, 2000

    A. Videos-all;
    B. Review of mid-term exams and books;
    C. Research papers due.
 

March 13, 2000

    A. Lessons of the Vietnam conflict: AirLand Battle Doctrine;
    B. Gulf War;
    C. Somalia and modem war;
    D. Reinterpretation of Clausewitz;
    E. Final 30% of grade.
 
 

Books and Papers required:

George Hofmann and Donn Starry, eds, Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces;
Patrick Cronin, "Clausewitz Condensed";
Wm. Epley, America's First Cold War Army 1945-1950;
Dominic Caraccilo, Terminating the Ground War in the Persian Gulf- A Clausewitzian Examination.
 

Suggested readings:

U. S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, and Amendments II and III;
John Meyer, "Cigarette Century," American Heritage, December 1992;
Wm. H. Rehnquist, "When the Laws Were Silent," American Heritage, October 1998;
Harry Summers, On Strategy I (Vietnam War); On Strategy II (Gulf War);
Mark Bowden, Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.
 

Companion to suggested readings:

Eric Foner and John Garraty, The Reader's Companion to American History (Reference guide in all libraries).
 

Writing Assignments:

500 words each - 50% of grade

1. How did mechanization of the U.S. military affect its conduct in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam?

2. Why was the Korean War considered a limited war?

3. Considering the Clausewitzian model, describe the differences between the Vietnam conflict and the war with Iraq.
 

Note: Due February 21, 2000, Oak Hills High School-UC Western Hills Campus. (One grade deduction for late papers). All papers must be prepared on a word processor.
 

Videos:

The Great Dictator;
Thin Red Line (Rated R);
Saving Private Ryan (Rated R);
Full Metal Jacket (Rated R).
 

Exams:

January 31, 2000: mandatory midterm 20% of grade;

February 21, 2000: class video evaluations and return of midterms;

March 13, 2000: final exam 30% of grade.

Note: Blue books only
 

Note:

1) Class attendance important because overview, lectures, and reviews are part of the exams. Attendance will affect grade.

2) Withdrawal after 21 calendar days will constitute a F (Professor's policy).

3) At least two mandatory telephone calls between the student and Professor required. Lack of this important communication on a one-on-one will also affect final grade.
 

Professor:
George F. Hofmann, Ph.D.
CECE
University of Cincinnati
451-9798
 

Note: Office hours will be established on January 3, 2000, including the execution of mandatory telephone calls between the students and Professor.