The United States in the Vietnam War

Ingo Trauschweizer, Ohio University

This course is an upper-level elective that will explore U.S. policies and strategy in the Vietnam War era (1945-1975) and the domestic and international consequences of American engagement in Southeast Asia. We will consider the origins of the conflict, both from an American and a Vietnamese perspective and in the context of the Cold War, the course and conduct of the war, its transformative effect on American political culture, the peace process, and the aftermath of the war in politics and memory. The U.S. and the Vietnam War holds that it is impossible to understand the Vietnam War in isolation and that domestic and foreign policies as well as military operations and strategy need to be considered as closely related issues.

For students who are interested in meeting on Teams (individually or in groups) I have set aside open office hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (10:30-11:50). We can also arrange for individual meetings on Teams at other times by appointment. This is a survey course at the advanced level. I don’t expect much prior knowledge or specific interest in history, but I do expect consistent participation and a willingness to work and think. I will help you wherever I can if you find yourself struggling with the material (either in its analytical aspects or because of the sheer mass of data), but you need to approach me to tell me that you are having difficulties. You may also consider forming small study groups. Learning rarely occurs exclusively in the classroom (virtual or physical)!