American Campus Podcast
a social and political history of US higher ed
American Campus Podcast
Why does my campus have an ROTC? with Scott Harding, Charles Howlett, and Seth Kershner
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Lauren Lassabe Shepherd
From the conception of ROTC after the Spanish-American War, colleges and K12 schools have been central to US military recruitment efforts. Scott Harding, Charles Howlett, and Seth Kershner explain the history of school militarism, and how peace groups have tried to break the war habit in American education.
References mentioned this episode:
- Scott Harding, Charles Howlett and Seth Kershner. 2022. Breaking the War Habit: The Debate over Militarism in American Education. University of Georgia Press.
- DoD STARBASE: A Department of Defense Youth Program school map.
- Aditi Lamba. February 10, 2025. “Kansas Starbase STEM program temporarily shut down.” KSN-TV.
Browse the American Campus bookshelf
Get in touch! Email Lauren at shephell@iu.edu. You can also anonymously request an episode or give feedback on the show.
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