Course Description
Cambodia and Vietnam are two small countries on the other side of the world that loom large in recent American history and continue to influence the direction of American actions on the geopolitical front, reflecting the strong influence of the American experience in Southeast Asia from 1945 to 1990. Studying and visiting these countries is therefore a way for students to understand others and themselves more fully.
The spring course, designed to prepare students for their five-week* study abroad in Southeast Asia, focuses on three main aspects:
- This course covers the history, culture, and art of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, exploring their influence on the region's geography and politics, and how they evolved into key players in Southeast Asia. For Vietnam, the focus is on its 2,000-year history, with particular attention to the three Vietnamese wars (1945-1975), the enduring legacy of the Vietnam War, and contemporary Vietnamese society, including economics and popular culture. For Cambodia, the course traces its rise as a regional empire under the Khmer Empire, with a focus on the cultural and political significance of Angkor Wat, the impact of the Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields, and the country’s current challenges and opportunities. The history of Thailand is examined through its development from early kingdoms to a modern monarchy, with an emphasis on its political stability.
- English as a second language. This course will incorporate English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) approaches to prepare students for their service experience, working with Cambodian students to help them improve their English language comprehension level and speaking skills. Pre-med students may have the option to work with Cambodian medical professionals in a local clinic.
- Community impact. This course uses a project-based learning approach to help students develop a project that meaningfully impacts the Cambodian people they will interact with while staying in Siem Reap.
The summer course takes students through Southeast Asia. Arriving in Bangkok, Thailand for a short visit there, then to Vietnam, visiting important cultural sites and places of historical significance critical to understanding the events that shaped Vietnamese society and culture over the centuries, as well as those that helped shape the U.S. during its long military involvement in Southeast Asia. Second, to Cambodia, exploring Khmer Rouge history and its Killing Fields and touring some of the major Angkor temple sites, viewing in person the evolution of the unique Khmer artistry over a 500-year span, which makes it today a World Heritage Site and offers a unique insight into the evolution of an empire and its eventual fall into ruins. During this course, students will teach English to Cambodian students or assist in a local clinic (pre-med students), explore Siem Reap culture and society, and reflect on their travel experience.
For more information on the travel portion of the two-semester program, please refer to its Study Abroad page.