Teaching Vietnam War

The purpose of the segment on Teaching Vietnam War for undergraduate American students who join the SIT-Study Abroad on Vietnam: Culture, Development & Social Change is to understand and analyze some key elements of the origins, development, consequences, and legacies of war and revolution in Vietnam from the early twentieth century to the present. After some readings and introductory session, the main part will be spent discussing the meaning and causes of revolution, the relationship between revolution and war, and the tactics and strategies of both revolutionaries and those who want to stop them from winning power and achieving their revolutionary goals. Through their direct experience with local people and visiting the historical sites in different parts of Vietnam, the students will be able to find out the current realities in Vietnam: Over three decades have passed since the end of the Vietnam War and it appears that Vietnam has moved on significantly. With the majority of the population born after the war’s end, economic reforms, tourism, religion, and contemporary politics all shape the Vietnamese ability to seemingly put the war where it belongs – in the past