Jan 31: Introduction and Overview / "What are the historical facts?". Discussion of Bibliography/ the tenets of involvement

Feb 7: The Geneva accords; Tonkin Gulf...and the Resolution. An overview to 1954 / major events 1954 ? 1964. What was SEATO? ; Notes.

Feb 14: 1965 to 1967: The establishment of a controlling presence. Who was Ho Chi Minh? What was the NLF? What was the Buddhist crisis? Notes, Werner & Hunt 9-22, 93-108.

Feb 21: Documentary. Remember to take notes! Notes.

Feb 28: 1967 through 1968: the buildup in the DMZ; a discussion of the Harrison Salisbury series, the growth of anti?war dissent at Home; the impact of the TET 1968 offensive; the power of the media. Who were the major policy players? Notes, Werner & Hunt 23-45.

Mar 7: 1969 to 1972 the process of Vietnamization / the invasion of Cambodia / soldiers in revolt / the status of dissent on the Homefront / My Lai and some of its ramifications / the Pentagon papers. 1973 through 1975 the Paris Peace Accords / the withdrawal of support / the fall of Saigon / Watergate /the Mayaguez Affair. Notes. Werner & Hunt 47-70. Topics and Themes in military affairs. War as a Racial Confrontation: the Gook Syndrome. Minorities within the U.S. military past an present. Various versions of the Lessons of Vietnam. Impact on the future: 1. Limited war. 2 The role of the media during war. A "Good War - Bad War" typology. Werner & Hunt 71-76.

Mar 14: Stay with the volunteer army, or return to a draft; the comparable worth of military and civilian service. Military procurement systems and the problem of careerism. The impact of downsizing on the defense industry and the military.

Mar 28: Mid Term Exam

Discussion Groups on Issues in Political - Military Affairs
in the Post-Vietnam Military (this schedule may shift)

Apr 4: End of the Cold War. Vietnam and the Mideast-comparisons and contrasts - The Gulf War. Mandeles book.

Apr 11: What is mission for the post modern military? Intervention since Vietnam. Haass book.

April 18: How shall the mission be accomplished - force composition. MacGregor book.

Apr 25: How shall the mission be accomplished - weapons systems. Morehouse book.

May 2: Intervention Haass. book

The Development and Politics of Veterans Affairs

May 9: Scott book for Exam (covering material from the entire class)

In addition to the texts /readers, you will be required to read at least 1 book from the bibliography which will be provided. Grades are determined: 25% class participation, 25 midterm, 25 % group discussion, 25% final exam. There will also be a number of documentary films. You will be responsible for discussing these presentations and films in class and in the exams. In sum you must read 3 books - the Young book, the group discussion book (what group your in will be sorted out in class, and one of your choice from the bibliography mentioned above.

TEXTS/READERS:
REQUIRED BY ALL STUDENTS

Young, Marilyn B.
1996 The Vietnam Wars - 1945 - 1990, NY: Harper Perenial, ISBN 0-06-092107-2

TO BE ASSIGNED/DISTRIBUTED AMONG STUDENTS - DO NOT PURCHASE UNTIL ASSIGNED.

Haass, Richard N.
1994 Intervention - The Use of American Military Force in the Post-Cold War World, Washington, D.C.: A Carnegie Endowment Book. (ISBN 0-87003-056-6).

Macgregor, Douglass A.
1997 Breaking the Phalanx: A New Design for Landpower in the 21st Century, Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 0-275-95794-2.

Mandeles, Mark D. and Thomas. C. Hone and Sanford S. Terry
1996 Managing Command and Control@ in the Persian Gulf War, Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 0-275-95261-4.

Morehouse, David A.
1996 Nonlethal Weapons - War Without Death, Westport, CT: Praeger, ISBN 0-275-95170-7.

Scott, Wilbur
1993 The Politics of Readjustment - Vietnam Veterans Since the War, New York: Aldine De Gruyter. (ISBN 0-202-30405-1).

Werner, Jayne and D. Hunt (eds.)
1993 The American War in Vietnam, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, Southeast Asia Program Series, Number 13. (ISBN 0-87727-131-3).

Students are reminded to take notes on all films. Students are expected to ask questions. Notice that the group book discussion is occurs in a narrow time frame. Do not wait to begin reading it! If you have problems or concerns, my office hours are before or after class or by appointment (617) 287-5850. Remember, class participation is an important aspect of this course!

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