HIST 677: The Vietnam War

HIST 677-DL1: The Vietnam War
(Spring 2023)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R

Online

Section Information for Spring 2023

This course provides an introduction to the history and historiography of the Vietnam War, including the origins of the conflict; the strategy and tactics of the United States, North Vietnam, and the Viet Cong; U.S. nation building in South Vietnam; individuals’ experiences serving in the war on both sides; the antiwar movement; and the Vietnam War in public memory. We will examine several different types of sources (a classic survey text, several argument-driven monographs written by professional scholars, and different types of personal narratives) and consider the merits and weaknesses of each for studying the past. For the argument-driven monographs, we will pay special attention to how the author frames his or her questions and the design of the project to answer them. Skills developed in the course include formal and informal writing, textual analysis, public speaking, framing questions, leading others in discussion, and critical thinking. Assessment will be based on presenting a book to the class, leading discussion, writing book reviews, and writing a lengthy final paper. Our online synchronous class sessions will consist of framing remarks from me, a student presentation, a student-led discussion, and an instructor-led discussion. This approach will keep the class moving, which is essential to learning and to keeping our online sessions lively.

HIST 677 DL1 is a synchronous distance education section.

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Considers the causes, major events, and historiographic debates of America's Vietnam War including the war's antecedents in Vietnamese history, American decisions for war, strategy and major military engagements, the American antiwar movement, and diplomacy and peace talks. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.