"As a Core, [Historical Studies A-12] may be the first and last course in international politics for many students," she says. "A few years down the road, we want them to be able to pick up a copy of The New York Times and understand the basic forces at work."

But as in every case when current events enter the classroom, instructors must tread lightly with sensitive and controversial subject matter.

Franz says she feels academic work can help students make ethical judgments about real-world events, but she stressed that her course aims to exclude emotional reactions from broad evaluations of events.

"One of the points Professor Rosen made about [A-12] is that one of the reasons we study history is to be dispassionate in some way," says Franz.

Chakeres also says he believes impassioned debate has no place in the classroom. Judgement must be made, he says, with consideration of all available facts.

"Decisions about whether to take large-scale military action should be made by cool-headed people who are somewhat removed from public scrutiny," he says. "War is just too important to be swayed by public opinion."

"I am afraid that now, more than ever, military actions are being criticized in such a way that will make future leaders reluctant to do what is necessary just so they can avoid such criticism," adds Chakeres.