HS-A355-01, U.S. Diplomatic History Since 1945
Professor: Ruddy
Office: Humanities 310
Phone: Office, 977-2918; Home, 771-8076
E-mail: RUDDYTM@slu.edu
Office hours: T-Th, 8:30-9:15; 11:00-12:30; Other times by appointment
Spring, 2008
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. More than three cuts may result in a reduction of your final grade. Chronic
tardiness will be treated like absences.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Such violations will be
prosecuted according to established university guidelines.
Texts:
LaFeber, The American Age, Vol. II.
Merrill and Paterson, Major Problems in American Foreign Relations, Vol. II.
Assignments:
1. The syllabus lists the chapters in the LaFeber text and the Merrill and Paterson document collection that
correspond to the topics being covered. Read these chapters before the date assigned, and be prepared to
discuss in class. Prior to each topic, I will identify specific entries in the documents collection that you will
be responsible for and occasionally will assign specific class members to be responsible to discuss some of
these readings.
2. Early in the semester, I will assign each of you a paper to be presented in the latter part of the course.
The papers will be related to three topics: Nixon’s détente policy; Reagan and the end of the Cold War;
post-Cold War America. Each of you will choose a book that will provide background and/or context for
your paper. Then write a 1000 to 1200 word review of that book. Late reviews will receive a grade no
higher than a C. Due: March 4.
3. Write an 8 to 10 page paper on the topic assigned. Be prepared to present your findings in class. The
papers should consider both the specifics of the particular subject of the paper and how it fits into the
broader context of recent American foreign relations. Consult at least six sources (books, memoirs,
scholarly articles), not textbooks or encyclopedias. Include footnotes and bibliography, following the
history department format. (The history department style sheet can be found at this web site:
http://www.slu.edu/departments/history/Syllabi/Style%20Sheet.pdf. All papers must be submitted on or
before the date assigned. Late papers will receive a grade no higher than a C. Due date for papers are
listed on the syllabus.
Exams:
There will be two exams on the dates listed in the syllabus. Exams will not be comprehensive. They will
be essay and identification in format.
Grading:
Mid-term: 30%.
Final exam: 30%.
Review: 10%.
Paper 3: 20%.
Class participation and attendance: 10%.
In evaluating participation, I will take into consideration the quality of your contribution to class
discussions, regular attendance, and improvement throughout the semester.
Syllabus:
January 22—Introduction.
January 24—Background.
January 29-February 7—The early Cold War and the emergence of the containment policy.
LaFeber, 14; Merrill/Paterson, 6.
February 12-14—The Korean War.
LaFeber, 15; Merrill/Paterson, 7.
February 19-26—Eisenhower and the expansion of containment.
Lafeber, 16; Merrill/Paterson, 8.
February 28-March 6—Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis.
LaFeber, 17 (581-604); Merrill/Paterson, 10.
March 4, book reviews due.
March 11—Mid-term exam.
March 13—Individual meetings to discuss papers.
(Bring bibliography and thesis/questions to be explored in paper.)
March 25-April 1—The Vietnam War.
LaFeber, 17 (604-32); Merrill/Paterson, 11.
April 3-10—Nixon, Kissinger, and Détente.
LaFeber, 18; Merrill/Paterson, 12.
April 8, Détente papers due.
April 15-22—Reagan and the end of the Cold War.
LaFeber, 19; Merrill/Paterson, 13
April 17, papers on Reagan due.
April 24-May 1—Post-Cold War America.
LaFeber, 20; Merrill/Paterson, 14.
April 29, post-Cold War papers due.
May 8—Final exam, Noon.