units

ATS2596

Faculty of Arts

18 September 2017 23 December 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitHistory
OfferedNot offered in 2014
Coordinator(s)Dr Jane Drakard

Notes

Previously coded HSY2460

Synopsis

This unit traces the origins of the war in resistance to French colonialism after 1945 and examines deepening US involvement, analysing the motivations of the main participants. The unit will focus not just on the military phases of the war, but also on its cultural and ideological ramifications in Vietnam, the USA and Australia. Lectures will provide a general framework with tutorials focussing on more specific issues such as contrasting styles of warfare, cold war ideology, the role of the media, anti-war protest, POW and veterans issues and approaches to commemoration and remembrance. The wider ramifications of the war in Southeast Asia, especially in Cambodia, will also be studied.

Outcomes

In addition to fulfilling the general objectives established for history units at second-year level, students successfully completing this subject will be expected to:

  1. Develop a knowledge of the historical development of the Vietnam War and an understanding of the broader ideological, political and cultural context in which the war took place.
  2. Reflect on the impact of the war in Vietnam and the USA, as well as other parts of the world such as Cambodia and Laos and Australia.
  3. Think critically and about the different cultural values involved in the various American, Vietnamese and other perceptions of this highly complex event.
  4. Continue the acquisition of critical and analytical skills, and the ability to communicate these verbally and in writing.

Assessment

Written work (essay): 35%
Class participation (including written and oral tasks): 25%
Test (two in-class tests of 1 hour): 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Jane Drakard

Workload requirements

3 hours (2 lectures and 1 tutorial) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

International studies
History

Prerequisites

Two gateway units in History or by permission

Prohibitions

ATS3596