During the post-World War II decades, the relations between the American armed forces and the society they served have been well documented. Military professionalism strengthened in all of the services, defense organizations did adapt to changing needs despite service parochialism, and the interactions between military leaders and political leaders were generally well within the scope of American traditions. Then, starting with the Vietnam War and continuing with the end of the draft, the remarkable changes in soldier demographics during the 1980's and the sudden end of the Cold War in 1989, American civil-military relations frayed and tensions abounded. In this post-Cold War context, the roles of the professional Army officer and the profession of arms within American society will be examined in an interdisciplinary manner. Particular focus will be given to the tensions in civil-military relations apparent during the two Clinton administrations - racial and sexual integration of the armed forces, use of military force in foreign interventions, conduct of peace operations, and change in traditional military culture.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
One major research paper; compensatory time provided.
