Courses and Workshops

This course looks at the American attempt to transform Afghanistan into a Western-style capitalist democracy. It starts with context: a social portrait of Afghans on the eve of the war. Then comes the story of the American military driving the Taliban from power, a story that continues through elections, money, corruption, accelerating social changes until it comes to climax with the American withdrawal, the mass evacuation of Afghans who worked with them, and the Taliban back in power. How could this happen? That's the question we'll tackle.

Faculty Bio

Tamim Ansary is an Afghan American author who grew up in Afghanistan and grew old in America. His books include the memoir West of Kabul, East of New York, and Games Without Rules, a history of Afghanistan from the inside looking out.

This is an Encore Course

• Encore courses are popular courses that were recorded a previous term.
• All pre-recorded class videos and course materials will be available to enjoy from April 1–May 31 in the Member Dashboard. Learn more.
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Member Praise for "Project in Afghanistan"

This was an amazing course filled with a thorough background of the history and culture of Afghanistan and an objective exploration of the conflicts and impacts of multiple foreign intrusions upon it.

The mixture of history and personal storytelling was fantastic, and gave a depth to the historical information that I can't imagine having gotten in any other way.

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Tamim Ansary from our archive.