OSHER 623 - World War II in the Pacific: Before Bataan and After

World War II in the Pacific involved one of the largest and most varied areas ever affected by a single conflict. We will look at the strategies employed in specific phases and how local people were affected. We will examine the leaders and the ambitions that led to war in the first place, followed by a strategic and moral examination of the actions of each country and its leaders. There will be plenty of time for class discussion. The class will culminate with a discussion of the aftermath of the war including the countries and peoples involved and what, historically speaking, was actually accomplished.