A. Prior Knowledge and Personal Goals Due Wednesday May 13th
In a 1 or 2 page narrative, discuss your understanding, opinions, and beliefs about the Vietnam War as you begin this unit.
¥Through what means have you obtained this information? For example, do you personally know anyone who was involved in the war in any way? If so, explain.
¥What reading or media presentations concerning the war have you experienced?
¥How did these make you feel about the era?
¥Conclude with both your academic (grade) and personal goals (what do I need and want to know) for this assignment.
B. Geography of Vietnam
Using whatever creative materials you choose, create a 3-dimensional map of Vietnam showing the major cities, bodies of water, land forms, areas of natural resources, and important sites during the Vietnam War. Be sure to include a map legend that would make the country's important locations clear to anyone studying the area for the first time. Although we will display the maps in the classroom, please include photographs of your final product in your portfolio.
C. Researching a Historical Topic in Depth
Choose one of the following formal papers (2 pages in length typed): 1. How did the French involvement in Vietnam, especially from 1945 to 1954, influence the history of Vietnam? Discuss why the French were in Vietnam. What impact did French occupation have on America's later involvement? Compare and contrast French and U.S. reasons for involvement in the Vietnam conflict.
2. Analyze the United States' "failure" in Vietnam. Explore the reasons why the United States evacuated the country in 1975. What were the effects of the U.S. withdrawal on those left behind? How did the withdrawal affect those back home and the future of the United States? (Why Vietnam Still Matters: The War and the Wall 1)
3. Write the same paper as described in #2. However, this time take the perspective of America's "success" in Vietnam.
4. Open research topic. Seek approval for your choice.
D. Alternate Points of View: Making a Social Statement in Song
Research an anti-war song popular in the late 60s or early 70s.
¥Record the piece on cassette and make copies of the lyrics to distribute to your classmates.
¥Analyze the meaning of the song, its theme, and the "group" of Americans it best represents.
¥Explain how the music fits into what you are learning in class about the controversy over the Vietnam War.
¥Survey the class for their response to the song.
E. Alternative Points of View: Struggle among the Vietnamese
Design a recruiting poster for the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) or the ARVN (South Vietnamese Army) that tries to persuade your countrymen (Vietnamese) to join you in your struggle. Prepare an oral explanation of your poster to present to the class. Your portfolio will include a photograph and explanation of the poster.
F Alternative Points of View: The War from Insider Perspectives
Read several excerpts from Dear,America: Letters Home 2, a collection of correspondence written by U.S. veterans of the War. Then, use the Internet to contact a Vietnam Veterans Usenet group. Write your own letter online asking several thought-provoking questions. Print out your letter and any responses you receive from Vietnam veterans.
Share the results and your own personal reflections with the class.
G. Political Cartoons: Humor as a Political Tool
Survey magazines and/or newspapers from the Vietnam War period. Choose an existing political cartoon to analyze or draw an original cartoon based on events of the period.
¥Include a written analysis of the major "figures" or "event" being satirized in the cartoon.
¥What is the cartoon's underlying message?
H. Understanding through Statistics
Choose one of the following:
1. Select some relevant statistical aspect of the war to investigate. For example, compare and contrast data on U.S. military operations (e.g., bombing) in Vietnam with parallel data from another war. Or, trace U.S. spending on the war in terms of the total federal budget in a given year(s). Include some type of graph or pie chart in your analysis.
2. Conduct an opinion poll on a specific aspect of the Vietnam War. Try to select a representative sampling of the community. Analyze the data you collect and present it in some graphic form.
I. Movie Review: Siskel and Ebert 'Do Vietnam"
You and an approved partner review a film based on the Vietnam War. Some possible choices are: Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter The Green Berets Hamburger Hill, or Platoon. Enact a Siskel v. Ebert "thumbs up/thumbs down" review of the film with special attention to its historical accuracy. Your presentation will be made to the entire class and videotaped. Include the videotape in your portfolio.
J. Journalism: Role Playing a News Interview
You and an approved partner work together to prepare an interview for a nightly news program. One of you will be the reporter, while the other will simulate the role and personal perspective of one of the following: ¥a major historical figure from the Vietnam era (politician, military leader, anti-war spokesperson);
¥a soldier from either side after a battle;
¥a nurse caring for the wounded;
¥a 19-year-old African-American enlisted soldier serving as an infantryman. Include a bibliography of the references used in preparing your script. You may want to explore CD-ROMs and the Internet as you search for facts on which to base your interview. Your interview will be presented to the class and videotaped for inclusion in your portfolio.
K. Concluding Reflection
Write a 2 to 3 page narrative discussing the most important concepts that you have learned in this unit.
¥What insights have you gained?
¥Which goals of this unit, personal and academic, do you feel you have achieved?
¥Do you still have goals toward which you are working?
¥How can your knowledge from this project and course be applied to your real life in the twenty-first century?
Assignment check Tuesday May 19
References you should check out
2. Bernard Edelman, ed., Dear America: Letters Home (New York: Pocket Books, 1994)
3. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund http://www.vvmf.org
4. Vietnam links http://www.cris.com/~linleysa/Vietnam.html
Assignment due Friday May 22 Back to my Home page