OSHR 1115 - American History - Revisit the Near Past (1945 to present) to Navigate the Future

This course is offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Colorado State University. You must be a member of Osher to enroll in this course.

Tempus fugit! Now comes an opportunity to revisit the near past and use that insight to navigate the future. This course will provide a survey of American history from 1945 to the present. You will gain insight into today’s social, political, economic, cultural, and international challenges.

Together, we will draw on the recent past to better understand today’s issues and hopefully shape a more favorable future for us all. Discussion will focus on such topics as:

- foreign policy and America’s role in the world in the age of terrorism;
- the immigration debate in perspective;
- characteristics of great leadership and the modern presidency;
- religion in American politics;
- cultural clashes/culture wars;
- modern political parties (beliefs, goals, and philosophical underpinnings);
- free enterprise vs. the welfare state;
- the American education system - – promises and problems.

Recommended Readings:

- Hodgson, Godfrey. (2005). America in Our Time: From World War II to Nixon – What Happened and Why (2nd Ed.). [Primary Reading]
- Ferguson, Niall. (2005). Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire.

The Reader’s Cove Book Store (1001 East Harmony; 907-266-1618) will give Osher members a 20% discount on these books.

Please Note: No class session November 4, Election Day!

Noncredit courses do not produce academic credit nor appear on a Colorado State University academic transcript.

Instructors

Tom Michoski
Tom.Michoski@comcast.net

Tom Michoski received his B.A. in history and sociology from Adams State College and an M.A. in American History from Colorado State University. He has a passion for the study of history and has done graduate study in international affairs. (European, Middle Eastern, and Chinese history). His extensive experience includes 31 years at Rocky Mountain High School where he taught primarily Advanced Placement U.S. History and Advanced Placement Modern European History for college credit as well as Modern Social Problems classes. Mr. Michoski earned a reputation for being an outstanding faculty member, not only by his students, but also by their parents! He focuses on key concepts, big ideas, themes, insightful generalizations, and debatable theories aimed at sparking dialogue and understanding. His OLLI students keep asking for more. This is the third course Tom has taught for OLLI, each on a different topic.

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