Detailed Information
AE-HN285 - The Vietnam War Through a Lens :a History of the Vietnam War
This course will focus on the history of the Vietnam War from an American perspective. It will examine the major events in the conflict and consider how these events have been portrayed on film. As well as looking at the course of the war it will also analyse the soldier’s experience in Vietnam, the anti-war movement and the life of the returning veteran. It will aim to critically assess how film has conveyed the history of the conflict. The course aims to give a comprehensive understanding of the history of the Vietnam War while comparing and contrasting the history with the popular understanding of the conflict which has been propagated by the more than 400 films relating to the subject. The course will begin with a chronology of the conflict and an analysis of American actions in Vietnam. While examining the history of the conflict we will continually reference how various films and documentaries have told the story of Vietnam. The course will then focus in on various aspects of the war such as the soldier’s experience, prisoners of war, the anti-war movement and the life of the Vietnam veteran. In doing so we will examine these issues in detail but also contrast the reality of these situations with their portrayal in films such as The Deer Hunter (1978), Coming Home (1978), Apocalypse Now (1979), Platoon (1986), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Born on the Fourth of July (1989) The primary focus of the course will be a history of the conflict with a secondary focus of the history as told through the medium of film. The course does not presuppose knowledge of either the conflict of the films relating to it.
8 Mondays 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Jan 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 26
(No Class March 19 – bank holiday)
This course is for anyone who has an interest in the Vietnam War. It will be of interest to those who wish to consider the history of the Vietnam War from an American perspective and evaluate how Hollywood has chosen to portray various aspects of the war and its aftermath on film. While we will analyse aspects of Vietnam on film the primary focus will be on the history of the conflict and Americas involvement in it. This course is designed to engage with a wide range of students whether you have read avidly on the subject, are a fan of Vietnam War films, or are new to the subject.
Readings for this course will mainly be from electronic resources.
A reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Dr Sarah Feehan earned her PhD from UCD. Her thesis was on the Heath government and proposed arms sales to South Africa. She has previously taught courses on American foreign policy and a history of the American presidency. Her research interests include American politics and foreign policy, Britain foreign policy and Britain and the Commonwealth.