The Monroe Doctrine is a six-week online course in Canvas developed by World BEYOND War and refined during multiple iterations over the years with six expert instructors each facilitating one week.
The course is available to universities, schools, teachers, and organizations that want to use it. Contact World BEYOND War if interested.
About The Monroe Doctrine and What to Replace it With
This 6-week online course is about the Monroe Doctrine – what it is, how it’s been used and abused over the years since 1823, and why it needs to be buried. It is for everyone interested in topics related to U.S. imperialism and hegemony; as well as peace and development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will also appeal to those engaged in broader discussions surrounding doctrines, war and militarism, self-determination, sovereignty, decolonisation, international relations, and U.S. foreign policy.
The central aim of the course is to inform participants and enable them to inform others of the history and current reality of the Monroe Doctrine, which turns 200 on December 2, 2023, and of strategies to replace it with something far preferable.
The course is 100% online and interactions are not live or scheduled, so you can take part whenever works for you (details to be shared upon registration). Weekly content includes a mix of text, images, video, and audio. Instructors and students utilize online discussion forums to go over each week’s content, as well as to provide feedback on optional assignment submissions. There are also three optional zoom calls (scroll down for details). Those are the only parts of the course that are scheduled. Everything else is simply available on your schedule.
Everyone registered for the course will receive a PDF of David Swanson’s book The Monroe Doctrine at 200 and What to Replace it With, which will provide additional reading beyond what is covered in the course.
Course Outline
- Week 1: Why Does the Monroe Doctrine Matter? What Is a Doctrine?
- Week 2: Who Was Monroe?
- Week 3: How Was the Monroe Doctrine Created?
- Week 4: What Has Been Done with the Monroe Doctrine?
- Week 5: What Has Been Built on Its Foundations?
- Week 6: What Should Be Done?
The course also includes three 1-hour optional Zoom calls which are designed to facilitate a more interactive and real-time learning experience.
Time Commitment / Expectations
How much time you spend and how deeply you engage is up to you. At a minimum, you can expect to spend between 1-2 hours a week if you only review the weekly content (text and videos). We hope, however, you’ll want to engage in the online dialogue with peers and experts. This is where the real richness of the learning occurs, where we have the opportunity to explore new ideas, strategies, and visions for building a more peaceful world. Depending on your level of engagement with the online discussion you can expect to add another 1-3 hours a week. Finally, all participants are encouraged to complete optional assignments (required to earn a certificate). This is an opportunity to deepen and apply the ideas explored each week to practical possibilities. Expect another 2 hours a week if you pursue these options.
Accessing the Course
Prior to the start date, you will be sent instructions for how to access the course.
Earn a Certificate
To earn a certificate, participants must also complete optional weekly written assignments. Instructors will return the assignment to the student with detailed feedback. Submissions and feedback can be shared with everyone taking the course or kept private between a student and the instructor, at the student’s choice. Submissions must be completed by the conclusion of the course.