The twentieth century has been called the American Century, a time when American ingenuity, economic growth, military power, and vibrant cultural expression led to increased prosperity and confidence at home and a stabilizing role in leadership on the international stage.  2018 finds us in a time of shifting alliances, renewed nationalism, unraveling multinational trade agreements, and serious divides at every level of political discourse.

On the next WorldCanvass, historians, political scientists, and a former U.S. ambassador will look back over the last century through the prism of foreign policy and explore the interwar period (1918-1939), follow the rise of the post-WWII Western alliance, and assess U.S. foreign policy in a new time of global realignment and instability.

Joan Kjaer hosts WorldCanvass, which takes place in downtown Iowa City at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street, from 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, and is free and open to the public. We invite you to come at 5 and join us for a pre-show catered reception.

U.S. Foreign Policy, Geopolitical Realignment, and Global Stability

Segment 1—5:30-6:00 p.m.

Interwar period (1918-1939)

Elizabeth Heineman—professor, Departments of History and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, University of Iowa

Michael Latham—vice president for academic affairs and dean, Grinnell College

Segment 2—6:00-6:30 p.m.

Rise of the post-WWII Western alliance

Michaela Hoenicke-Moore—associate professor, Department of History, University of Iowa

Michael Latham—vice president for academic affairs and dean, Grinnell College

Segment 3—6:30-7 p.m.

U.S. foreign policy in a time of global realignment and instability

Michaela Hoenicke-Moore—associate professor, Department of History, University of Iowa

Ronald McMullen—ambassador in residence, Department of Political Science, University of Iowa

WorldCanvass programs are recorded as audio podcasts and are available on iTunes, the Public Radio Exchange (PRX), and the WorldCanvass website. University of Iowa International Programs produces the series in partnership with MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street. Audio production is provided by Kyle Marxen.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Amy Green in advance at amy-green-1@uiowa.edu or 319-335-1433.