History 155

N/A

Course Description:
Controversy and questions still surround many aspects of the Vietnam War - America's longest war. Why did we go? Why did we fail to achieve our objectives? Could we have won? These are but a few of the questions remaining from the Vietnam era. There may be no certain answers to these and other important questions, but we can strive to make informed judgments and perhaps ask even better questions and learn from our past.

Objectives:

1. To develop a better understanding of important developments, events and individuals in the American war in Vietnam.
2. To develop a better understanding of the nature of the relationship between people and the historical process.
3. To acquire a better understanding of the techniques and tools of the historian.
4. To continue to develop and improve study and research skills which includes reading comprehension, critical thinking and effective verbal and written communication.
5. To utilize and understand how current technology works as a study and research tool.

Themes:

1. The origins of Vietnamese nationalism
2. The roots of the Cold War and evolution of US policy in Southeast Asia
3. The role of women in the Vietnam war
4. US strategy and tactics
5. The dynamic relationship between the homefront and the front lines
6. The issues for veterans
7. The legacies of the war.

 Instructor Contact:
Dr. Bruce O. Solheim
Email: bsolheim@citruscollege.edu
Office Phone: 626-852-8096
Office Location: VT 208
Office Hours: By Appointment

Required Books
You can obtain the required books from the Owl Bookshop.

• The Vietnam War Era: A Personal Journey by Bruce Solheim
• Vietnam War Generation Journal

The following video documentary is available in the Citrus Library:

• Vietnam: A Television History

• Update email on WingSpan so it will load to Blackboard
• Your WingSpan ID becomes your Blackboard Username
• Your WingSpan PIN number (six digits only) becomes your Blackboard password
• To change these on Blackboard requires you change them on WingSpan
• Data will be transferred from WingSpan to Blackboard on a regular basis

Once you get to the welcome page, click on the History of the Vietnam War course link on the right, and you will go to the course site. Please familiarize yourself with the course site and if you have any questions please email your instructor with your concerns. Get your textbook and get started with your initial assignments. A major key to your success in this course will be keeping up with both the reading and the other assignments.   

If you have a disability documented by a physician or other appropriate professional and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the DSP&S office at (626) 914-8675. Please discuss your accommodations with your instructor by email. Be sure to allow at least one week for appropriate accommodations to be arranged.