Understanding the Vietnam War (homework + making up the missed class) 40 points total available
| 1. Read "Vietnam Letters" on D2L Materials > Content, answer the questions, and upload to the Assessments> Assignment Dropbox. Click here for the assignment. | 10 Points | Due Wednesday 4/2 9 a.m. |
| 2. Watch selections from "Vietnam: a Television History" and two short videos about Maya Lin (links below). Take notes, at least one page typed total. Just jot down whatever interests you in the films and note time stamps as you take notes. You must include notes from all three videos and include time stamps to earn full credit. Also share your thoughts and reactions as you're note-taking. Did you learn anything new? Did anything surprise you? The time stamps will serve as your citations. Upload to the Assessments > Assignment Dropbox. Please type your notes (not hand-written.) | 10 points | Due Wednesday 4/2 9 a.m. |
| 3.
Due first! Conduct
a quick interview with someone in your life and
post the results of your interview in the
Discussion Forum on D2L (500 words -- see
below). Read your classmates' posts and
reply. You should reply to at least two
classmates. I'm looking for the class to
generate a discussion around the topic, what you
learned from the interviews, and any thoughts
you'd like to share about the war overall. If the person you are interviewing has no knowledge of the war (that's okay!) you'll need to learn about it first, so you can give them some basic information as you chat. |
20 points; 10 for your post and 10 for replying to two posts. | Your post is due Monday 3/31 at midnight. You must make your two replies by Wednesday 4/2 9 a.m. |
Three Film links:
1. "Vietnam:
a Television History." Begin at 6:42, which describes the build-up in
forces starting in 1965. Watch until 27:20 and then you can skip ahead to 38:15
and watch until the end. [You're welcome to watch the whole film but I'm
trying to focus on a few key selections if you're short of time.] Some possible
note-taking topics: What was combat like? What challenges did soldiers face?
What was the impact on the Vietnamese? How did soldiers change while they were
in Vietnam? What was everyday life like?
2. Maya Lin: Vietnam
Veterans Memorial (7 minutes) For both of these films, note the process
involved in building the Memorial, how she was selected, how the memorial is
distinctive or unique, and the impact the Memorial has/had on veterans and
visitors.
3. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Changed... (5 minutes)
Interview Activity:
Choose someone in your life to ask a few questions about Vietnam. Ideally this person would be old enough to remember the war or even served in the war, but I recognize that could be a challenge. Aim to find someone who's older who might remember or have heard about the war -- family member, co-worker, someone who is a member of your religious community, etc. It's okay if the person was not in America at the time -- having an international perspective could be very interesting! You may conduct the interview in person, over Zoom or FaceTime, or via a phone call.
If you end up interviewing a peer who has limited knowledge about the war, that's okay. Spend a few minutes educating them about what you've learned, and choose questions below that would work in that situation. Take some notes or make a recording.
Next, write a 500 word post in the D2L Discussion Forum summarizing your interview. Who did you interview and why did you choose that person? What was the interview process like? Summarize some of the most interesting answers to the questions below, and your reaction to them.
Possible questions:
Personal Experience:
What did you think about the war at the time? Did you approve or disapprove, and why?
How did the Vietnam War affect your daily life during that time?
Were you or anyone you knew directly involved in the war? If so, what was their experience like?
Public Opinion and Media:
What was the general public opinion about the war when it was happening?
How did the media (TV, newspapers, etc.) portray the war? Did you feel that coverage was accurate?
Did you or anyone you knew participate in protests or anti-war movements? What motivated you to do so?
Political and Social Impact:
How do you think the Vietnam War shaped American politics at the time?
Did the war change your view on American government or military intervention abroad?
Veterans and the Aftermath:
What was the public's attitude toward returning Vietnam War veterans? Were they treated fairly?
How did the end of the war and the fall of Saigon in 1975 affect your community?
Reflections:
Looking back, how do you feel about the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War?
If you could go back in time and change anything about the war, what would it be?
Learning About the War:
How did you first learn about the Vietnam War? Was it through history classes, media, family members, etc.?
What sources (books, movies, documentaries) have shaped your understanding of the war?
Public Perception and Legacy:
How do you think the Vietnam War is remembered today compared to other major wars in U.S. history?
What do you think are the most important lessons that the U.S. can learn from the Vietnam War?
Do you think the Vietnam War had a lasting impact on American foreign policy?
Impact on American Society:
How do you think the Vietnam War influenced American culture, especially in terms of music, film, and literature?
What do you think were the social and political effects of the war on the 1960s and 1970s generations?
Comparing Wars:
In your opinion, how does the Vietnam War compare to more recent conflicts like the Gulf War or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are there any similar themes or lessons learned?
Veterans and Memory:
What do you think of how Vietnam War veterans are treated today compared to when they returned home? Do you think the U.S. has learned from its past mistakes in treating veterans?
Reflections on U.S. Involvement:
What do you think about the U.S.'s involvement in wars today? Do you see parallels between the Vietnam War and current military engagements?