H231 American Military History II

Winter 2001

Murphy

Course Instructor: Daniel Murphy

Office: Classic 312

Office Hours: MWRF 10-11, MWF 1-2

Course Texts: Millett and Maslowski, FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE; Chambers and Piehler, MAJOR PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY; Mackin, SUDDENLY WE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE; Mason, BATTLESHIP SAILOR; Ardery, BOMBER PILOT; Sledge, WITH THE OLD BREED; Stafford, LITTLE SHIP, BIG WAR; Owen, COLDER THAN HELL; Leppelman, BLOOD ON THE RUNNERS; Gandt, BOGEYS AND BANDITS.

In addition we will watch some films as assigned. These will also be found in the library.

Course Evaluation: Students will take three in-class exams, Feb. 2, March 12 and the final exam date. Each will be worth 22% of the course grade. Students will also wrote a research paper, 8 pages in length. The paper must deal with a topic in American military history between the years 1903-1991. Students must use at least three book-length sources, one of which must be a primary source. This paper will be worth 20% of the course grade and be due March 23. At a date to be determined, students will take part in a wargame treating twentieth century infantry tactics. A 1-2 page paper assessing the lessons of this experience will be worth 4%. 10% of the course grade will be based on class attendance and participation. Because the course will in part be conducted as a seminar, attendance at every class session is important. Any unexcused absences will be held against the course grade. The instructor reserves the right to increase the proportion of the final grade based on attendance and discussion in cases of repeated unexcused absences.

Course Purpose: Military history possesses an old and honorable tradition, reaching back to the ancient Greeks. The best military history has been distinguished by the highest standards of literary craftmanship and moral purpose. Today, military history can still display the traditional virtues, but it is also informed by developments in the social sciences, and by the consciousness of people living in an era of weapons of mass destruction, that war must be understood if humanity is to survive. This infusion of new perspectives has enriched the field, making it one of the most intellectually exciting areas in the historical profession, as well as one of the most important for citizens hoping to make informed decisions.

The core of this course will be the study of military campaigns conducted by the United States. However, in addition to studying strategy, tactics and weapons, we will explore such issues as the social composition of the armed forces, the influence of new technologies on warfare, and popular attitudes toward war and the military.

Jan. 8 – Introduction

Jan. 10 – M10

Jan. 12-15 – M11

Jan. 17 – CP9

Jan. 19-22 – Mackin

Jan. 24 – M12

Jan. 26 – CP10

Jan. 29-31 – Mason

Feb. 2 – Exam I

Feb. 5-7 – M13

Feb. 9-12 – M14

Feb. 14 – CP12, MEMPHIS BELLE

Feb. 16 – CP11

Feb. 19 – M14

Feb. 21-23 – Stafford

March 5-9 – Sledge

March 12 – Exam II

March 14 – M15

March 16-19 – Owen

March 21 – CP13

March 23 – M16

March 26-28 – M17

March 30-April 2 – Leppelman, MY LAI

April 6 – M18

April 9 – CP15

April 11-13 - Gandt