GOVT 2847

Political History of Modern Afghanistan

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Afghanistan is the land of paradoxes and is constantly in the headlines of the world's news. It is a country that is often spoken about and yet so rarely heard from. Since 1747 until the present, this region has experienced a series of unstable states and complicated political situations. The quarrels and disputes within and concerning Afghanistan are a challenge for other countries and have directly affected other countries politically and militarily. The questions we will consider in this course are many and include: Why has Afghanistan been important for many empires over the millennia? How did this region become "Afghanistan"? Why has the political situation in Afghanistan so affected other countries, such as elections here in the United States? Why did the US and its allies invade Afghanistan and why did they withdraw without any commitment to the people of Afghanistan? To what effect were thousands of American and allied soldiers killed in Afghanistan?

Last 4 Terms Offered 2026WI, 2025FA, 2025SP, 2024SP

Distribution Category (ALC-AS)

When Offered Spring.

Course Subfield (IR)

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