The celebration of war is built into the American landscape. Public memory places prominently feature a WWII Museum, multitudes of war memorials, and preserved warplanes, ships, and battlefields. These tend to place martial glory at the front of public awareness. Is there space for public discussion of the costs of war?

This course searches for entry points to such conversation. In text, in film, and through local commentators we’ll explore the legacies of WWII and the Vietnam War (our generation’s seminal war experiences) focusing on what ultimately shapes our view of American defense and global security missions and their costs. The “costs of war” meme comes from a project housed at Brown University focused on the so-called Global War on Terror.

This course and the Brown project gesture ultimately to the 2020 US Defense and Security budget of $750,000,000,000. As we talk about this, we might also ask: what can we do about it?

Format: Classes will be based on readings, films, or guest speakers. Class members will be expected to provide one presentation that helps to trigger and organize discussion.

Resources/Expenses: The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II (2017), is available on Amazon in paperback for $4.00 and up. The films, The Best Years of Our Lives and Hearts and Minds, are available either from the local library or on various platforms for a minimal fee.