HIUS 3456

This class is great and pretty essential for anybody interested in foreign affairs, all of the material is relevant, interesting, and important. Leffler is a great professor, and one of the best cold war scholars in the country. He assigns lots of reading, which may seem intimidating, but is all relevant. Focus especially on the primary source documents which are really insightful. Grading is straightforward and fair so long as you participate and put effort into your assignments. Christopher Whitehead is an excellent TA, really helped to explain and emphasize material that may have been confusing in lecture.

One of the best classes I've taken at UVA, along with Modern China with Reed and Russia in World Affairs with Lynch. Leffler is a great lecturer and Chris was a great TA. Even if you think you have a solid understanding of history in the modern/Cold War period, I guarantee you Leffler will blow your mind and widen your understanding. Work: three short memo-style papers during the semester, then two short take-home papers for the final. Reading: Officially a ton of reading, but I hardly did it, and didn't even buy two of the shorter books (the Wilson and Vietnam books) and still did well on the papers. Read one of the primary sources per week to talk about in discussion and you'll be fine. In sum, this is a great, informative class that doesn't require that much work.

Leffler is an expert! Lectures are fascinating, and he has written most of the books you read. Highly recomend!

Fantastic Class! This class is a must for any history/politics major interested in working in global affairs. This class is also great for non history majors (aka people like me) who are looking to incorporate an element of global understanding into their career or are just curious! This class does take a significant amount of reading and effort. However, this class is not exactly too difficult, especially if you know how to create a logical argument and write well. To be sure, the essay grading is very intense, you are expected to write succinctly, precisely, and logically. If you are not comfortable with writing, then I would highly recommend that you take a writing class or take steps to become a better writer before taking this class--you will enjoy the class all the more! That and well...almost the entire grade is based on your writing.

This class is absolutely amazing. While it is a TON of reading, towards the end of the semester they tell which parts to focus on (aka what will be talked about in discussion). The discussion is awesome, everyone is really engaged, and the TA is great. Professor Leffler is an amazing lecturer, and very kind in office hours. This class will change the way you look at history and American government.

This class is without a doubt one of the best you will get at UVA. Leffler's lectures are truly riveting, clear, and thought-provoking, and gives incredible insights about the history of American foreign policy. This is surely not an easy class, you will almost certainly not get higher than a B+ (even that is optimistic), and you will spend a huge chunk of time doing readings and papers for this class. However frightening that might be, it is totally made up by how incredible Leffler and this class is. Take it, you will not regret it! Your GPA will forgive you.

In my opinion, Melvyn Leffler is the best lecturer/professor at the University of Virginia. His lectures are clear, precise, and form a fascinating narrative about the history of US foreign affairs. This class won't be a GPA booster and has a LOT of reading, but if you have ANY interest in the topic whatsoever I could not recommend taking this class enough.

Amazing lecturer - one of the best. He is considered the "Dean of the Cold War". Lot of reading with pop quizzes scattered throughout the semester. Four essays, pop quizzes/participation made up the grade. He likes to call on people randomly even in 120+ lectures and likes to move around when lecturing. Visit office hours to get to know him. I highly recommend the course for those interested in 20th century foreign relations.

Professor Leffler is a very good lecturer, he makes you think. He also has no problem calling people out in class, especially if you sit in the back. Even in a 70 person class he expects you to participate. His class is challenging and requires a lot of reading, but you learn a lot. I would take it again.

Great class! Leffler definitely cares about the subject material and is very knowledgable. Keep in mind that this class places heavy emphasis on reading and writing. Definitely read the books and attend the lectures and discussions because it's easy to fall behind.