The fourth assignment is based on a thorough and careful reading of Call, Selling Airpower: Military Aviation and American Popular Culture after World War II. This is another of the newer works that look at the relationship between technology and culture in this case popular culture and media. Although the title indicates a focus on the post-WWII era, the book includes chapters on the early, pre-WWII era of airpower promotion. The author references a number of popular books, movies, magazine articles, radio programs and television shows that airpower advocates used to promote their vision of American military aviation. He also focuses on the way in which critics of that vision eventually used the same popular culture to deliver their message. While many of the books, magazines and programs may not be familiar to you, some of the movies might be familiar. And, if not, many of the movies mentioned in the book are frequently replayed on television. This might give you a new interest in old movies. For this assignment you will write two 4-5 page essays. Each essay will be worth 50 points. Essay One: (based on Call): Write an essay in which you explain four or five of the chief arguments airpower advocates made in the pre-WWII and immediate post-WWII periods as to the value, significance, and/or benefits of military airpower (i.e. how it would revolutionize warfare). You must include examples of arguments from both the pre- and post-WWII periods. Essay Two: (based on Call): Write an essay in which you explain three or four major critiques of airpower from the late 1940s through the mid-1960s. In other words, focus on arguments that were critical negative about airpower and the arguments of airpower advocates. Include at least one example from the Korean War period (just before and during) and one from the period after the Korean War. Why were the critiques after the Korean War more successful in challenging and changing the publics perception of airpower than those made before or during the war? The second essay should focus on those who were critical of airpower theory, who challenged those arguing the merits and values of the use of airpower. As with those who were promoting airpower, the critics also aimed many of their remarks at the American public. While airpower had critics from the very beginning, this essay is also aimed at exploring why the American public was much more receptive to arguments against the merit and value of airpower from the 1950s onward.

The fourth assignment is based on a thorough and careful reading of Call, Selling Airpower: Military Aviation and American Popular Culture after World War II. This is another of the newer works that look at the relationship between technology and culture in this case popular culture and media. Although the title indicates a focus on the post-WWII era, the book includes chapters on the early, pre-WWII era of airpower promotion. The author references a number of popular books, movies, magazine articles, radio programs and television shows that airpower advocates used to promote their vision of American military aviation. He also focuses on the way in which critics of that vision eventually used the same popular culture to deliver their message. While many of the books, magazines and programs may not be familiar to you, some of the movies might be familiar. And, if not, many of the movies mentioned in the book are frequently replayed on television. This might give you a new interest in old movies. For this assignment you will write two 4-5 page essays. Each essay will be worth 50 points. Essay One: (based on Call): Write an essay in which you explain four or five of the chief arguments airpower advocates made in the pre-WWII and immediate post-WWII periods as to the value, significance, and/or benefits of military airpower (i.e. how it would revolutionize warfare). You must include examples of arguments from both the pre- and post-WWII periods. Essay Two: (based on Call): Write an essay in which you explain three or four major critiques of airpower from the late 1940s through the mid-1960s. In other words, focus on arguments that were critical negative about airpower and the arguments of airpower advocates. Include at least one example from the Korean War period (just before and during) and one from the period after the Korean War. Why were the critiques after the Korean War more successful in challenging and changing the publics perception of airpower than those made before or during the war? The second essay should focus on those who were critical of airpower theory, who challenged those arguing the merits and values of the use of airpower. As with those who were promoting airpower, the critics also aimed many of their remarks at the American public. While airpower had critics from the very beginning, this essay is also aimed at exploring why the American public was much more receptive to arguments against the merit and value of airpower from the 1950s onward.