HIST 320
THE VIETNAM WAR
HIST 320. The Vietnam War (A, C)
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisites: Three hours of History at the 100-level.
History of the war covering the general background, French and American involvement and the present situation in southeast Asia. Focuses on military, diplomatic and domestic aspects of American involvement.
1. Course Introduction
a. The early history of Vietnam
b. The origins of American involvement
2. The First Indochina War, 1946-1954
a. The French experience
b. Dien Bien Phu
3. The War Through 1965
a. The Eisenhower years
b. The Kennedy years
c. America's commitment expands, 1964-1965
4. The War Expands, 1965-1969
a. The Tet Offensive
b. The role of the press in Vietnam
c. Homefront U.S.A.
d. The anti-war movement
5. American Withdrawal
a. Vietnamization, 1969-1972
b. The war crimes controversy
c. The 1972 Offensive
d. The peace negotiations and 1973 peace treaty
e. The POWs
6. Vietnam Since the War
a. Vietnam after 1973
b. The Vietnam veteran
c. The boat people and immigration
d. Lessons and legacies of Vietnam
e. Summary discussion
Although primarily a lecture course, class discussion is actively sought. Role playing, student interviews of Vietnam veterans, book reviews, and short papers are used to involve the student in the course material. In addition, outside speakers and video tapes are employed.
1. Students will gain a balanced and scholarly treatment of the Vietnam War.
2. Students will develop a knowledge of the basic issues involved with this topic, such as the causes of American intervention, the strategies and tactics used, the role of the press, the conduct of the anti-war demonstrators, war crimes, and lessons learned.
3. Students will increase their skills in writing and research, but most of all in thinking.
Grades are based on a midterm and final examination, as well as on outside assignments which may include term papers, book reviews, interviews, and essays.
None.
Date Action Reviewed by
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan