This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Steven Casey SAR 2.10
Availability
This course is available on the BA in History, BSc in Government and History, BSc in International Relations and History and BSc in Politics and History. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.
Course content
Based on a variety of primary sources, and a wide range of secondary reading, this course will explore US attitudes and policies towards and during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
The problems of limited war; the origins of the Korean War; Truman and the decision to intervene; Inchon and the decision to cross the 38th parallel; the Chinese intervention and its consequences; the US home front during the Korean War; the Truman-MacArthur Controversy; Korea and US Cold War strategy: NSC-68, NATO, and ‘The Great Debate’; fighting while negotiating, 1951-53; legacies; JFK and Vietnam; LBJ and the decision to escalate; LBJ as Commander in Chief; the war on the ground in Vietnam: ‘search and destroy’ versus ‘hearts and minds’; the Tet Offensive; the media and military at war; the US home front during the Korean War; Vietnam and US Cold War strategy: détente and triangular diplomacy; fighting while negotiating, 1969-73; legacies.
Teaching
110-minute weekly seminars, on campus or online as circumstances dictate, with various weekly activities determined by the teacher.
Students are expected to keep up with the readings (documents and secondary literature) for the weekly meetings, and to participate in seminar discussions.
There will be a reading week in the Michaelmas and the Lent terms.
Formative coursework
Students will be required to write one essay and one source analysis exercise in the MT
Indicative reading
A detailed course outline and reading list, as well as handouts, will be available as the start of the course. The following works are recommended: Steven Casey, Selling the Korean War (2008); William Stueck, Rethinking the Korean War (2002); Burton I. Kaufman, The Korean War: Challenges in Crisis, Credibility and Command (1986, or later edition); Rosemary Foot, The Wrong War: American Policy and the Dimensions of the Korean Conflict, 1950-53 (1985); George Herring, America’s Longest War (various editions); David L. Anderson, Shadow on the White House: Presidents and the Vietnam War (1993); David L. Anderson (ed), The Columbia History of the Vietnam War (2011); Robert J. McMahon, The Limits of Empire: The United States and Southeast Asia since World War II (1999).
Assessment
Essay (35%, 3500 words) and source analysis (15%) in the LT.
Essay (50%, 5000 words) in the ST.
Key facts
Department: International History
Total students 2019/20: 10
Average class size 2019/20: 9
Capped 2019/20: Yes (30)
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.