George Kennan: Conscience and Critic of the American Century

Few people were both as influential and ignored as George F. Kennan, the American diplomat credited with originating the Cold War “containment” policy who later deplored how containment became an open-ended, militarized crusade. This seminar will examine some of Kennan’s important writings and assess whether there can be a place in public affairs for his style of dispassionate but deeply-felt analysis. Please read pages 1–71 of George Kennan: A Study of Character for the first session.

Joseph Harrington holds an M.A. in history from the University of Connecticut. He has led numerous Newberry seminars.

Materials List
Required:
Kennan, George. American Diplomacy: Sixtieth-Anniversary Expanded Edition. University of Chicago Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780226431482
Recommended:
Lukacs, John. George Kennan: A Study of Character. Yale University Press, 2007. ISBN: 9780300143065

Recommended:
Kennan, George F. Around the Cragged Hill: A Personal and Political Philosophy. W.W. Norton, 1993. ISBN: 9780393311457

This class is a part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program.