World History: The History of the Cold War
This course will give you an overview of the Cold War from its origins to its unexpected end.
Professor Zbysek Brezina, PhD
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(133)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Every week students will read one primary document related to our topic that we will discuss in class. I will add additional material (books, articles, documentary films, etc.) that will be optional sources of information for the students. The class will be a combination of engaging lectures and facilitated Socratic seminar-style discussions.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
This course is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the study of the Cold War - the ideological and geopolitical competition between the United States of America and the Soviet Union and their allies from 1945 to 1990. It will provide students with an overview and general survey of the key events that influenced global politics in the second half of the 20th century and have continued to impact the twenty-first century. Students will examine how the Cold War was played out not just in Europe but also in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Furthermore, we will analyze the history of the Cold War through various documents such as Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, the Eisenhower Doctrine or Khrushchev's report to the 20th Party Congress. Contents: 1. The Origins of the Cold War, 1945 - 1950 2. The Global Confrontation, 1950 -1960 3. Crisis and Conflicts, 1961 - 1969 4. The Era of Détente, 1969 - 1979 5. The Renewal of the Cold War, 1979 - 1985 6. The End of the Cold War, 1985 -1991
Learning Goals
The class has two main goals. One is to provide students with a basic factual knowledge of the origins and history of the Cold War. Just as important, however, is the ability to use this information productively to evaluate, synthesize, or interpret key facts and ideas. The instructor will provide material for students to read to gather information, and also present factual information in class. Students will learn how to integrate factual data into some basic understanding of how the Cold War arose and its related world issues which concerned policymakers and citizens at that time. This class will thus emphasize the development of cognitive skills such as primary source analysis, logical inferences, and map construction and interpretation.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The study of the history of the Cold War deals generally with some sensitive topics in history such as war, civil war, and other conflicts. I take great care to present the content in an age appropriate manner.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
There are many sources that are used for teaching the history of the Cold War in this course. Dr. Brezina studied various primary and secondary sources (articles, books, dissertations, etc.) during his years as a teacher and professor of history that will allow him to interpret the Cold War history objectively and address the full range of a variety of peoples' histories, including marginalized populations. For example, he will draw from two books, A World of Nations: The International Order Since 1945 by William R. Keylor and The Cold War: A History though Documents by Edward H. Judge and John W. Langdon, both of which are commonly used as objective and multi-cultural history text books in U.S. higher education. (However, Dr. Brezina does not require students to purchase or use these books.)
Joined March, 2020
5.0
133reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Doctoral Degree in History from Boston University
I have taught the history of the Cold War at various university prep schools in Europe and the United States and as well as at several American colleges and universities.Reviews
Live Group Class
$100
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Completed by 7 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-5 learners per class
