The Atomic Bombings of Japan: Attempts at Understanding, Part II
CSS 428
Spring 2006
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01
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The atomic bombings of Japan remain one of the most controversial and momentous episodes of the twentieth century. One fact is clear: the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan on August 6 and August 9, 1945. After that, there are many questions for which there are many more answers: Why did President Truman decide to use the bombs? How did he and American military leaders understand that decision? How did the people on whom it fell understand the event? What effect did the bombs have on the Japanese decision to surrender? Is it possible that impressing the Soviet Union was a main reason for dropping the bombs? How did American leaders assess the usefulness of the bombs at the time? How did that assessment change over time? This course does not attempt to establish definitive answers to these and related questions, but it does examine a range of primary and secondary sources that help us examine how people have attempted answers. One goal of this course is to examine the methodological issues of truth and understanding in history through this central episode of twentieth-century history. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Writing, Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture/Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CSS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 - 4th Quarter |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
J. Samuel Walker, PROMPT AND UTTER DESTRUCTION
Robert P. Newman, ENOLA GAY AND THE COURT OF HISTORY
Robert J. Lifton & Greg Mitchell, HIROSHIMA IN AMERICA: FIFTY YEARS OF DENIAL
In addition, there will be a number of journal articles and possibly other books.
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Examinations and Assignments:
To be announced. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Required of all CSS majors. This is a fourth quarter course. You have five days after the start of the class to add it. |
| Instructor(s): Johnston,William D. Times: .....F. 02:00PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC421; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 15 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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