January 2008): I notice that two versions of the text book for the course are avaliable, a 5th and a 6th edition. Can we buy the 5th edition instead of the 6th?

Yes, you could buy the 5th edition--just don't do it to succeed in this course. The 5th edition is different is subtle ways, For example, some chapters have been rewritten, and the chapter exercises are often different. I will be assigning homework from the 6th edition.

Buy the 6th edition! If you are having trouble finding it, here is an Amazon.com link. More.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.