HIS-1010 A History of 9/11
The terror attacks of September 11th were among the most influential events since WWII in terms of impact on American and global society, politics, and culture. This course explores the history of the attacks, including the rise of political Islam, US and European involvement in the Middle East, and the history of Afghanistan, among other background topics. Then, after examining the events of 9/11 itself, the course turns to the fallout on the national and international stage. This section includes lessons and discussions about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the global refugee crisis triggered by these wars, and the blot on the American image caused by torture of prisoners. While never forgetting the horrific event itself, the course asks students to critically think about the role played by all actors in an effort to understand the history of the attacks more fully.