Introduction to the Vietnam War

This class will introduce students to the United States' experience with the Vietnam War.  The class will discuss the history of Vietnam, including the years where Vietnam was a part of French Indo-China.  The course will then look at both the Cold War and the Domino Theory, two significant concepts that led to the United States' participation in the Vietnam War.  Subsequent lessons will focus on US military presence in the war, and various military battles that took place.  The course will also take time to look at the US home front during the Vietnam War, including the large anti-war movement that existed in the country.  Also covered will be the United States' exit from Vietnam, and the legacy of the war.

The course will be lecture-based and guided by a Powerpoint presentation.  Relevant videos will be shown, and discussions will be held throughout the course to help students to gain mastery of the concepts being taught in class.  Students will have time to ask questions, and talk about the course's content as we move through the weekly lessons.

Our four lessons will cover the following information:
Week 1:  Laying the Foundation: History of Vietnam & the Cold War
Week 2:  US Military Build Up, Battle of la Drang Valley, Battle of Khe Sanh
Week 3:  US Home Front in Vietnam & The Tet Offensive
Week 4:  Battle of Hamburger Hill & US Military Evacuation of Vietnam