Professional Development

June 21 - June 26, 2026

World War II in the Pacific

The Pacific War was a monumental clash between many nations and cultures, with significant repercussions and effects that reverberate to the present day.

Despite its extraordinary impact, the Pacific War is the lesser-understood side of World War II. It is commonly seen as the war between America and Japan. But it was so much more. Impacting many countries from 1937 – 1945, the war’s enduring effects played an extraordinary role in the subsequent history of all nations of the Pacific, including the United States, and this impact continued to markedly influence the current course of events within and outside the region today.

This seminar features top scholars from notable universities sharing their research and points of view on such topics as the strategic conduct of the Pacific War on several fronts, the concept and practice of total war in the Pacific, including China, Japan, and other nations; and other key military and non-military events, including the use of the atom bombs and the domestic transformation of the U.S.

July 5 - July 10, 2026

The two decades following America’s withdrawal from Vietnam were marked by nuclear peril and a global scramble for influence as the Cold War entered its final stage. Seismic shifts in diplomacy, the resurgence of U.S. power and confidence, and conflicts across Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East reshaped international relations. These struggles ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and set the stage for the world we know today.

Pivotal personalities and sweeping events of the 1970s and 1980s are brought into focus through fresh interpretations by noted experts and educators. Held aboard a historic instrument of that era—the aircraft carrier USS Midway—this late Cold War program offers an unparalleled perspective on a critical yet often overlooked chapter of world history.

Please note: As this is a new seminar offering, all former MIT alumni are eligible to apply.