Conceptions of the Cold War

The purpose of this Assignment is to analyze how people understand the Cold War today. For example, what do everyday people today think of when they hear the term “Cold War”?

In this Assignment, you will use a research method of a social scientist as you collect brief interviews with three people, asking them about their conceptions of the Cold War. Your interviewees can be anyone of your choosing: family members, friends, and so on.

Below are some suggested questions that you may want to ask:

1. What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the term Cold War?
2. Did you ever study the Cold War in school? If so, what are some aspects of the Cold War that you remember?
3. Who were the parties involved in the Cold War?
4. Can you name any key events that you mainly associate with the Cold War?