Reading Tim O’Brien’s deeply moving short story “On the Rainy River” as a springboard, this discussion course will offer an interdisciplinary critique of the Vietnam War, the antiwar movement, and Ken Burns’ 2017 PBS documentary. With consummate artistry, O’Brien dramatizes his distress, anguish, and increasing doubts about the morality and necessity of the war, a torment exacerbated by his community’s and family’s very different perspectives on Vietnam, U.S. foreign policy, “patriotism,” and the legitimacy of the domestic opposition. What lessons might that very polarized time be especially relevant in our own deeply-divided era?

Income inequality in America and many other advanced countries has risen sharply since the 1970s. We will look at what several respected economists and other thinkers write about inequality. Why is inequality increasing? Are higher levels of inequality damaging our social fabric, or are they no big deal? Are there effective ways to reduce inequality without placing too much burden on American taxpayers?

Income inequality in America and many other advanced countries has risen sharply since the 1970s. We will look at what several respected economists and other thinkers write about inequality. Why is inequality increasing? Are higher levels of inequality damaging our social fabric, or are they no big deal? Are there effective ways to reduce inequality without placing too much burden on American taxpayers?