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The Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study has been formulated as a dynamic online publication in order to provide the most up to date information possible. Master versions of the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study incorporating all changes to date are archived twice a year on 1 September and within the first three University working days prior to the start of Semester 2 in January. Please note that some of the data recorded about this course has been amended since the last master version was archived. That version should be consulted to determine the changes made.

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The Cold War 1941-1991 (HI0073)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-CW

The course begins with consideration of the remoter origins of the Cold War prior to 1941, with special emphasis on those trends in United States and Russian/Soviet history that help to explain their clash after they became superpowers. The true Second World War (1941-1945) is examined on the thesis that the Cold War did not yet exist and was not inevitable but that many of the preconditions for it came into existence. The birth of the Cold War is identified in 1945-1946 when clashes of national interest over such matters as the future of Germany were magnified in their adverse impact by the clash of rival ideologies hat had been semi-dormant during the conflict with Germany and Japan. The readiness of the United States to take on a global role of leadership against a perceived threat from Soviet totalitarianism is traced in three stages: rhetoric (the Truman Doctrine), economic (Marshall aid), and strategic (the North Atlantic treaty). The result was, in Europe, an equilibrium that proved durable for forty years and then dissolved without bloodshed. The reasons why the Cold War led to actual military conflict in east Asia (Korea and Indochina) are examined. Then comes the superpower rivalry between the United States and post-Stalin Russia that culminated in the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, the attempts by both main powers to lessen tensions between them during the period 1963-1975, the 'new' Cold War between 1976 and 1985, and the end of the conflict by 1991.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not accepting further student enrolments.

? Pre-requisites : A pass in any first level historical course and any second level historical course or equivalent. Visiting students should normally have 3 to 4 History courses at Grade B or above. Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admissions Secretary to ensure that a place is available (tel. 503783).

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

The Cold War 1941-1991 (VS1) (Not being delivered)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Other subject areas

European Languages and Cultures - Russian Studies, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
10/01/2008	14:00	15:50	Room 11.01, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course involves study of a subject of the widest (global) geographical scope and one that lasted long enough (fifty years) to undergo several phases. Involving, as it does, competing ideologies and differing cultures (e.g. Russian and Chinese) even within distinct ideological camps, it provides an opportunity to study a wide range of human experience. The historical truth about the conflict between the non-communist and communist worlds known as the Cold War has been much (and sometimes bitterly) contested. However, enough work of a solid, scholarly nature has now been done on the Cold War for students not to feel baffled or frustrated as they study its undoubted complexities. The study of East-West political-ideological and occasionally military conflict between 1941 and 1991 should fulfil many of the school's stated learning objectives. This would certainly include acquiring the ability to organise and synthesise data derived from sometimes contradictory sources, to assess the reliability of evidence and weigh a variety of competing and conflicting factors, and then to reach coherent, reasoned and well supported conclusions. The option is of perhaps unusual value in coming to grips with problems of historical interpretation and in handling concepts and theories in a course that is not of the 'theory of history' type. This function is achieved equally by the weekly seminar meetings and by the written work in the form of the essay and (ultimately) the examination.