NVCC COLLEGE-WIDE COURSE CONTENT SUMMARY
HIS 277 - THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN VIETNAM (3 CR.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Analyzes American involvement in Vietnam from World War II with emphasis on the presidencies of Johnson, Nixon and Ford. Lecture 3 hours per week

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

Explain how and why the United States became involved in Vietnam within the broader context of US foreign policy in the 20th century.

ENTRY-LEVEL COMPETENCIES

No prerequisites. Preferable, but not mandatory, that students complete HIS 121-122 prior to enrollment.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Identify major goals, events, personalities, and concepts that sustained US involvement in Vietnam.
2. Analyze foreign policy goals in the 20th century.

3. Provide students with an opportunity at problem-solving.

4. Encourage students to consider political, economic, and cultural problems from a global perspective.

 MAJOR TOPICS TO BE CONSIDERED 1. Western colonialism between 1919 and 1945

2. Origins of the Cold War

3. First Vietnam War (1946-1954)

4. Diem years in Vietnam (1954-1963)

5. Commitment of US ground troops in Vietnam (1964-1967)

6. Tet Offensive

7. US Vietnamization policy

8. Peace negotiations

9. Anti-war movement

10. End of American involvement

 EXTRA TOPICS MAY BE COVERED 1. Vietnamese history prior to US involvement

2. Postwar Vietnam syndrome

3. Depiction of US involvement in film and literature

 Revised 8/01
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