Vietnam War

Catalog description

This course examines the history of the Vietnam War. "Vietnam" refers to more than just a war and this course introduces students to the key events, people, places, and themes in Vietnam's past. It begins with the states and societies of the Red River Delta, moves to Nguyen dynasty rule and French colonization of Indochina, and finally examines American involvement in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam during the Cold War. This introduction to the broad sweep of Vietnamese history is meant to help students appreciate the profound changes and lasting continuities in Vietnamese culture and society during the 19th and 20th centuries. This course also interrogates the legacies of the Vietnam War. From lawsuits filed by Agent Orange victims to lessons for U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, Vietnam's past continues to play an important role in how Americans comprehend the exercise of U.S. military, economic, and political power abroad.