Subject Area: History
This course can also be studied in the following specialisations: Americas Studies

ARTS3294: The Vietnam War/ The American War examines the second Indo-Chinese War as a major event in the history of the 20th century. It explores the subject through a trans-national perspective that offers the perspectives of the major combatants as well as other participants in the conflict. It examines the war’s course and impact on various constituencies and explores the impact of class, gender and race on how the war was experienced and is remembered. After exploring the importance of the conflict in Vietnamese and American history, the course will explore the conclusion of the first Indo-Chinese War and America’s increasing involvement, before exploring major themes of the second Indo-Chinese War. As well as major events such as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the Tet Offensive and the My Lai massacre, the course will explore a number of themes including strategy and tactics, the involvement of Australia and other nations on both sides of the conflict, race and gender, the antiwar movement, Nixon’s policy of Vietnamisation, the American withdrawal and the escalation of the war in Cambodia and Laos. Students who successfully complete ARTS3294 will attain an in-depth knowledge of the war and its many themes. A major research project and tutorial exercises will develop ‘specialist knowledge’ in a range of areas.