Admission requirements
Students must have passed both BA werkcolleges
Description
America’s thirty-year involvement in Vietnam failed to prevent the unification of that country under Communist leadership. This seminar examines the course of America’s intervention in Vietnam under Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. Students will analyze the foreign policy background as well as the military and political aspects of the war. Other topics include the role of the news media in reporting the war and the influence of the peace movement in opposing it
In addition to secondary works, students will work with primary sources throughout the course. Film and literary sources will provide additional insights.
The essay will be based upon a research question that utilizes primary sources.
Course objectives
General learning objectives
The student can:
- devise and conduct research of limited scope, including:
a. identifying relevant literature and select and order them according to a defined principle;
b. organising and using relatively large amounts of information;
c. an analysis of a scholarly debate;
d. placing the research within the context of a scholarly debate.
- devise and conduct research of limited scope, including:
- write a problem solving essay and give an oral presentation after the format defined in the Themacolleges, including
a. using a realistic schedule of work;
b. formulating a research question and sub-questions;
c. formulating a well-argued conclusion;
d. giving and receiving feedback;
e. responding to instructions of the lecturer.
- write a problem solving essay and give an oral presentation after the format defined in the Themacolleges, including
- reflect on the primary sources on which the literature is based.
- select and use primary sources for their own research.
- analyse sources, place and interpret them in a historical context.
*6. participate in class discussions. Learning objectives, pertaining to the specialisation
- The student has knowledge of a specialisation, more specifically in the track American History, the concept of “ American exceptionalism;” the US as a a global power; America and the Cold War.
8.Gain knowledge and insight in the main concepts, the research methods and techniques of the specialisation, more specifically of in the track American History analysis of historiografical and intellectual debates, especially those related to “Amarican exceptionalism.”
Learning objectives, pertaining to this specific seminar*
The student can:- Analyze the role of the US in the Cold War;
- Understand how foreign policy is shaped by political institutions and presidential leadership;
- Discuss the relationship between public opinion, the news media, and foreign policy;
- Reflect upon the contemporary relevance of the subject matter, especially as it relates to American foreign policy.
Timetable
See Rooster Geschiedenis (in Dutch)
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Course Load
Total course load: 10 × 28 hrs =280 hours
Compulsory class attendance: 28 hrs
Compulsory weekly reading: 140 hrs
Research and writing of essay : 80 hrs
Preparation of seminar presentation: 32 hrs
Assessment method
Written paper (ca. 7200 words, based on problem-oriented research using primary sources, including footnotes and bibliography)
Measured learning objectives: 1-5, 7,8,9Oral presentation
Measured learning objectives: 1,2,6Participation in class discussion
Measured learning objectives: 6 , 7-13
Weighing
Written paper: 70%
Oral presentation: 20%
Participation: 10%
The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average with the additional requirements that 1) the written paper must always be sufficient; 2) the student gives the oral presentation.
Deadlines
Written papers should be handed in within the given deadline
Resit
The written paper can be revised, when marked insufficient. Revision should be carried out within the given deadline
Blackboard
Blackboard contains syllabus, articles, documents, and links to websites.
Reading list
Students must buy the following books, and ensure that they have read Young, before the start of classes.
Michael Hunt, A Vietnam War Reader (Penguin, 2010)
Marilyn Young, The Vietnam Wars, 1945-1990 (HarperCollins, 1991)
Michael Lind, Vietnam: The Necessary War (Free Press, 2002)
Registration
Via uSis
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
mr. Prof.dr. A. Fairclough
Huizinga, room 1.67
Remarks
None