History of Soft Power in Europe and the U.S.

This seminar examines the history of the ambiguous concept “Soft Power,” by bringing together literatures in European and U.S. history, international relations, and communications studies that are normally treated in isolation. After thoroughly familiarizing seminar participants with the recent U.S. evolution of the concept and comparing its usage to related terms, such as “normative power,” “hegemony,” “propaganda,” “strategic communication,” and “public diplomacy,” weekly classes focus on several case studies. These span the period from the 19th to 21st centuries and include Napoleon’s Propaganda Wars, France’s “Civilizing Mission” in Africa, Germany’s Kultur Empire, Wilson versus Lenin, The Nazi-Fascist Effort to coopt Muslim peoples, Vatican Diplomacy and the Holocaust, The Marshall Plan, Soviet Soft Power in Eastern Europe, and U.S. Public Diplomacy in the wake of 9/11. Class requirements include weekly reading, organizing class discussion, and a 15-page research paper to be presented at a final student-organized workshop.