HIST 2053 - Southeast Asia and the Vietnam War

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This second-year course is an in-depth study of Southeast Asia history with an emphasis on the period of the Vietnam War between 1945 and 1975. Emphasizing the different perspectives of the peoples involved in the war, students will examine the colonial period, independence movements, the conflict between the Southeast Asians and Americans, and Southeast Asia today.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 8 Global Perspective

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. Evaluate the relevance of the 20th centurys global conflicts to their own lives.
2. Southeast Asia: The colonial empires
3. Southeast Asia: Emerging nationalism
4. Southeast Asia: WWII and Japanese hegemony
5. Southeast Asia: Independence
6. Vietnam: What’s where and who’s who
7. Vietnam: The First (French) Indochina War
8. Vietnam: The Second Indochina War begins
9. Vietnam: An American War
10. Vietnam: A year in the life of a war
11. Vietnam: The war grinds on
12. Vietnam: The end of the war
13. Laos and Cambodia: The other war
14. Vietnam: After the war

1. Explain, in a clear and comprehensive manner, the story of the Vietnam War from the differing perspectives of the people involved.
2. Analyze primary and secondary sources using historical methods of evidence.
3. Synthesize historical material from diverse sources and points of view.
4. Demonstrate advanced progress in their reading, writing, discussing and/or other critical thinking skills.
5. Evaluate the relevance of Southeast Asian History and the Vietnam War to their own lives.

05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
Competency 2 (7-10)
08. 01. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

08. 02. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

08. 03. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.

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