The United States The Vietnam Wars

This course will examine, analyze and critique the causes, conduct, and consequences of the American involvement in Vietnam from the era of colonial Southeast Asia, through World War II, the Cold War and the ongoing US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. You will learn about the legacies of the Vietnam Wars on US foreign relations, international politics and warfare, and study major works and primary sources that highlight not just American but also the Vietnamese actors and other regional players. Through the prism of US-Vietnam relations, you will also assess how great power politics intersected with post-1945 decolon ization and nation-building in Southeast Asia, and review its impact on current regional and international affairs.