CURRENT SYLLABUS/SYLLABI
Dr. Harrison Fender
United States Naval Academy
HH386C: Naval History of the Cold War
Spring 2026
Sampson 103
Tuesday and Thursday
0745-0900
Navies had a pivotal role in the Cold War’s conduct and outcome. The Cold War’s superpowers, the United States and Soviet Union, recognized the sea’s importance in obtaining global influence. The United States used its navy to contain communism and protect maritime links to allies worldwide. Soviet officials pursued naval dominance as a means of strengthening military capabilities and curtailing Western influence. Other powers strengthened their navies as a means of enhancing influence and security. This course examines the Cold War through the lens of naval history. Topics include the role of navies in conflicts and crises, development of naval technology, and impact on strategic decision-making. The course aims to relate navies to global rivalry, changes in technology, and emergence of new powers within the context of the Cold War. An examination of the Cold War illustrates that navies helped determine the course of global events and, in many cases, the fate of entire countries.
Learning Outcomes:
• Historical Competence = Understand the impact of navies during the Cold War.
• Naval Development = Identify why maritime and continental states pursue naval power.
• Operations and Strategy = Relate navies to national strategy, diplomacy, alliance structures, military operations, intelligence assessments, and technological development.
• Global Competition = Explain how navies are employed amidst great power rivalry.
• Communication = Discuss ideas in an organized and precise manner.
• Reading Comprehension = Analyze text for content, themes, and arguments.
Corequisite and Credits
Corequisite = HH216 The West in the Modern World
Credit Hours = 3
Primary Course Texts:
Lehman, John F. Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2018.
Polmar, Norman, Thomas A. Brooks, and George E. Fedoroff. Admiral Gorshkov: The Man Who Challenged the US Navy. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2019.
Westad, Odd Arne. The Cold War: A Global History. New York: Basic Books, 2019.
Texts Available on Google Classrooms:
Cole, Bernard D. “More Red than Expert: Chinese Sea Power during the Cold War.” In China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective, edited by Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and Carnes Lord, 320-340. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2009.
Ford, Christopher A., David Alan Rosenberg, and Randy Carol Balano. “OSIS Comes of Age: FOSIFs, FOSICs, and Fusion in the Electronic Age.” In The Admirals’ Advantage: U.S. Navy Operational Intelligence in World War II and the Cold War, 55-76. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2005.
Grove, Eric J. “East of Suez.” In Vanguard to Trident: British Naval Policy since World War II, 245-279. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1987.
Hauner, Milan L. “Stalin’s Big-Fleet Program.” Naval War College Review 57, no. 2 (Spring, 2004): 1-34.
Mackinder, H. J. “The Geographical Pivot of History.” The Geographical Journal 23, no. 4 (Apr., 1904): 421-437.
Spykman, Nicholas J. “The United States in the World.” America’s Strategy in World Politics: The United States and the Balance of Power, 165-199. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 2007.
Course Assignments:
Participation – The course will have discussion sections that entail workshopping assignments, discussing reading material, and group activities. All students are expected to contribute relevant ideas and feedback during discussions. Students are also encouraged to ask questions during lectures. Higher marks will go to students who actively participate in discussions and ask relevant questions. Lower marks will be assigned to students who refuse to participate or are routinely quiet.
Map Quiz – Students will have a single map quiz to complete. The quiz will ask students to locate prominent geographic features (seas, capes, canals, etc.) and countries on a blank map.
Reading Quizzes – The course contains five quizzes that test students’ knowledge of the reading material. Quizzes may ask specific questions related to the reading or task students in connecting lectures with the weekly material.
Research Paper – Students will be assigned a single writing assignment, a research paper, to complete by the end of the semester. The assignment is subdivided into separate parts to help with the research and writing process. Students are tasked to complete a proposal with annotated bibliography, a first draft, and the final completed paper. Students will base the research paper on a topic of their choice.
Exams – The class has two exams. The first exam, a midterm, will be given the week before Spring Break. The final exam will be given at semester’s end at a time and date to be determined.
*Further information on the assignments will be provided over the course of the semester.
Assignment Percentages:
Participation = 10%
Map Quiz = 10%
Reading Quizzes = 10%
Research Paper = 30%
-Proposal/Annotated Bibliography (5%)
-First Draft (5%)
-Final Paper (20%)
Midterm = 20%
Final Exam = 20%
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100 A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89 B = 83-86
B- = 80-82 C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76 C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69 D = 60-66
F = 0-59
**The instructor reserves the right to assign a student’s final grade based on their performance.
Late Assignments:
All assignments are expected to be submitted by the assigned date and time. Late assignments will incur a penalty. For each day late, the assignment’s grade will be lowered by a whole letter point. Immediately notify the instructor if an emergency prevents the timely submission of an assignment. In the event of an emergency, an alternative submission date will be assigned.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. All students are expected to be in the classroom at the beginning of the class period. Students are expected to stay in the classroom for the duration of the class period.
Excused Absences:
Absences will be excused in the event of an emergency, sporting event, or other duties. A note must be provided by a company commander, coach, or other official for the absence to be excused.
Instructor Absence:
If the instructor is not in the classroom within ten minutes of the period’s beginning, the Section Leader will seek further instructions from the History Department’s office (Sampson 325).
Course Rules and Policies:
• Treat others with respect and dignity. Students are encouraged to voice their ideas and opinions on material related to the course.
Feedback and engagement are welcome during discussions, but comments should be mindful of other students’ positions. Verbal attacks, insults, and disrespecting another student’s ideas and beliefs will not be tolerated in the class.
• This class will not tolerate disrespectful behavior. Disrespectful behavior includes insults, interrupting others, loud noises, and inappropriate comments. Profanity will not be tolerated in class.
• Gum chewing, eating, tobacco usage, and vaping are forbidden in class.
• Beverages are permitted in the classroom. Please ensure that beverages have a lid.
• All phones should be out of sight during the class. Before class begins, turn your phone onto silence and place it in your backpack.
• Unless instructed, laptops should be removed from sight during the class. Laptops will be used on occasion for workshopping papers or group discussions. When instructed to use laptops, do not play games, listen to music, work on material for other classes, or check social media or other sites. Laptop privileges will be taken away if students are found using their laptops for activities other than this class’s coursework.
• Students are permitted to use tablets for note taking, but the same rules apply if tablets are being used for anything other than work related to this class.
• Students are expected to remain awake in class. Students are permitted to stand at the back of the room if they are feeling tired.
Non-Attribution Policy:
USNA follows the practice of non-attribution to protect faculty, staff, midshipmen, and guests. To foster an environment where ideas are openly exchanged, this class follows the practice of non-attribution for all communications (in-person, written, and electronic). If you wish to refer to another person’s ideas or comments outside of class, you may refer to them as ‘a fellow class member’ or ‘a speaker,’ but you may not disclose the speaker’s identity without their express permission.
AI Policy:
Students are prohibited from using generative AI for this class’s coursework. AI should not be used to summarize weekly readings, write assignments, or prepare for exams. Students caught using AI risk failing the assignment and infringing the Honor Code. This class encourages students to develop ideas and solve problems based on their own efforts and ideas. Using AI as a shortcut to write an assignment or prepare for an exam will only hinder abilities students need as officers.
Plagiarism, Cheating, and Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarizing and cheating break the Honor Code. Students should use their own work and ideas for the course, not those of others. Students are prohibited from using another student’s work. Generative AI usage for assignments and exam preparation is considered cheating in this class. Students risk failing the assignment and other actions if they cheat or plagiarize.
Collaboration:
Students may collaborate on some assignments. Students are encouraged to provide feedback on the research paper and assist with the research process. Students may also work together when preparing for exams and quizzes. Collaboration, however, is not an excuse for completing someone else’s assignment. Students should not write another’s papers, create group study guides, provide research material, or any other activity that may be considered cheating or plagiarizing.
Office Hours and Extra Instruction:
The instructor will be available before and immediately after the class period. Office hours are flexible, as is time for extra instruction. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.
Syllabus and Schedule Changes
The content of the syllabus may be subject to change if circumstances arise. The schedule is tentative and may also change over the course of the semester. If a change is made to the schedule or syllabus, the instructor will immediately notify the class.
Weekly Schedule
Week 1: Introduction
Reading
-Westad The Cold War, Intro.
Week 2: Pax Britannica
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapter 1.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Forward and Chapter 1 and 2.
-H. J. Mackinder “The Geographical Pivot of History” (Google Classroom).
Week 3: Pax Britannica
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 2 and 3.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapters 3 to 6.
-Nicholas J. Spykman America’s Strategy in World Politics, Chapter VI (Google Classroom).
Week 4: Containment
Map Quiz = January 29
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 4 to 6.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 7.
-Milan L. Hauner “Stalin’s Big-Fleet Program” (Google Classroom).
Week 5: Containment
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 7 to 8.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapters 8 and 9.
Week 6: Imperial Twilight
Paper Proposal/Annotated Bibliography = February 12
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 9 to 10.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 10.
Week 7: Imperial Twilight
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 11 and 12.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 11.
-Lehman Oceans Ventured, Intro and Chapter 1.
Week 8: The Cold War at a Crossroads
Reading
-Eric J. Grove Vanguard to Trident, Chapter 7 (Google Classroom).
Week 9: The Cold War at a Crossroads
Midterm = March 5
Spring Break – No Classes
(March 9 – March 13)
Week 10: Sea Power and the States
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 13, 16, and 17.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 12.
-Cole China Goes to Sea “More Red Than Expert” (Google Classroom).
Week 11: Sea Power and the States
First Draft = March 26
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 14 and 15.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 13.
-Ford, Rosenberg, and Balano The Admirals’ Advantage, Chapter 4 (Google Classroom).
Week 12: The Maritime Strategy
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapter 18.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 14.
-Lehman Oceans Ventured, Chapters 2 and 3.
Week 13: The Maritime Strategy
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapters 19 and 20.
-Lehman Oceans Ventured, Chapters 4 and 5.
Week 14: Pax Americana
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapter 21.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 15.
-Lehman Oceans Ventured, Chapter 6 and 7.
Week 15: Pax Americana
Research Paper Due = April 28
Readings
-Westad The Cold War, Chapter 22 and Conclusion.
-Polmar, Brooks, and Fedoroff Admiral Gorshkov, Chapter 16.
-Lehman Oceans Ventured, Chapter 8 and Epilogue.