Curricular Fallout: What the Cold War, COVID, and AI Have in Common

• In Event: From Memory to Machine: Rethinking Curriculum in AI-Mediated Education

Abstract

The concept of curricular fallout describes how global events such as the Cold War, COVID-19 pandemic, and generative AI had no direct connection to education, yet triggered poorly coordinated shifts across the higher education landscape. Using a historical-comparative analysis, this study examined how these events influenced educational priorities. The curriculum was left to recover in the aftermath of crises it did not cause. To address this pattern, a proactive framework is necessary to assist educators in anticipating and preparing for future disruptions. Drawing on historical records, policy analysis, and contemporary examples, the study highlights the need for an anticipatory curriculum design that focuses on educational leadership, equity, and strategic foresight. Our students should not be the victims of future fallout.

Authors

• Amanda M. Price, Southern Regional Technical College

• John Wilson Gordon, Mercer University