Hist 3381H/4381H The National Security State (2024)

Trent University Durham GTA

Professor Robert Wright

Office: Thornton 167   Email: rw@robertwright.ca   Tel: 905 435 5102 x 5046

COURSE SYLLABUS

History 3381H / 4381H examines the North American national-security state from the Cold War to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of domestic and foreign intelligence-gathering (and intelligence-sharing) in the formulation of Canadian and American public policy, including foreign, defence, trade and immigration policies; the relationship of democracy and secrecy (state-sponsored espionage, surveillance, covert action, torture) and the role of government oversight; the relationship of “culture” to the national-security state, including propaganda, mass media, education, academic and medical research, religion, trade unionism, gay rights, dissidence and other subversive practices; and the relationship of the national-security state to national and international law, including civil liberties and human rights.

This course is scheduled to run in the Fall 2025 term.