Conflict has been an integral part of American History from the first settlements through to the present war on terror.  Although military history connotes violent conflict, and indeed the main themes of this course will center on various wars throughout American history, it is much more than battles, skirmishes, and raids.  Military history includes not only the use of force, but the threat of force in policy.  It also involves the effect that wars and martial experiences have had on society.  Like trade and diplomacy, armed conflict has brought influential exchanges between peoples that have permeated American culture.  Like social movements, wars and conflicts have had ripple effects that impacted individual lives. 

This class will examine relationships and conflicts between people in the context of American Military History.  We will use major wars and conflicts such as the American Revolution, Civil War, World War II, and the Global War on Terror to explore various topics such as The Columbian Exchange, colonization, American expansion, international relations, cultural evolution, globalization, race and gender, and how military conflict affected society over the last 400 years. 

This course is an introduction to the histories and cultures of the region called the Caribbean. The class will emphasize how larger events and processes like colonialism, slavery, revolution, globalization, international politics and warfare, and natural disasters and humanitarian crises have impacted the development of Caribbean countries and territories from the 16th century to the present. We will also explore the cultural response from the peoples of the Caribbean, and evaluate the extent to which a singular “Caribbean culture” exists. 

Other topics will include the diversity of language, physical environment, religion, and traditions across the islands; local and popular music, food, literature, dance and art; the Caribbean diaspora and movement of peoples within and outside the region; the unique political and economic challenges of the islands and adjacent countries; and the relationship between the Caribbean and the United States. Meets World Cultures Discovery requirement, and students of all levels and majors are welcome.