FINAL EXAM
The
Vietnam War story is a lengthy one that has been told in fragments
more so than in its entirety. This final exam allows you to summarize
what you have learned about the War
and clarify the opinions you have formed.
Most available literature about the Vietnam War is from the
American perspective. The following interpretations capture the major
schools of thought on the war from the American side (they are
arranged chronologically as they developed). For the final exam, you
must choose one of the following schools of thought and be able to
write a clear, coherent essay in support of its interpretation of
American involvement in the Vietnam War. Should you not agree with any
of the schools of thought, you can develop your own. Your essay should
be no longer than 1000 words (about 4 pages typed double-spaced).
1.
Orthodox: This interpretation
was the first to emerge; it came together during the war. The main
theme is that the United States engaged in a mindless anticommunist
crusade that it could not win.
2.
Revisionist: This
interpretation holds that the United States did not blunder in to the
war; the government was aware of each obstacle, did only the minimum
required to avoid defeat, and was largely successful in doing so until
it lost the most essential domino--US public opinion. Many military
writers have used this interpretation to criticize a civilian-run war.
3.
Advanced Revisionist: There
are three sub-groups of advanced revisionists.
A.
Clausewitzians: The civilians
misunderstood the war and sent the military off to wage the wrong kind
of war. Had the government attacked and invaded North Vietnam
directly, the United States would have won the war.
B.
Hearts and Minds: There was
too much emphasis on conventional warfare and too little emphasis on
pacification. These writers blame the military leaders for wasteful
and ill-conceived strategy (i.e., Search and Destroy).
C.
Legitimacists: This
interpretation emphasizes the geo-political, moral, and ethical
legitimacy of waging war in Vietnam. US national interests were at
stake and the South Vietnamese government was viable until Diem was
assassinated in 1963. That was the turning point.
4.
Neo-Orthodox: The United
States misread its own interests and Vietnamese realities in a doomed
effort to build an independent Vietnam (a flawed form of containment).
Grading
Criteria:
You will be evaluated on
v
How well you summarize
and describe the School of Though you chose.
v
The clarity and
Reasonableness of your argument.
v
Your writing.
The rubric below,
describes these criteria more fully.
Strategies
for Proceeding:
v
Review your notes from
the class; your readings; your unit postings, links, and briefings.
v
Write a clear thesis
that states which School of Though you chose (or defines your own.
v
Be clear about the
organizational points you will use in the body of your paper to
support your choice of School of Thought.
v
Clearly identify
incidents, individuals, strategies, and examples you will use in the
body of your paper to support your argument.
v
Look for a creative way
to introduce your paper and to give finality to your conclusion.
Edit your
paper for appropriate writing conventions.
Here are the timelines to help you:
Timeline
Grading Rubric -
Final Exam 200 Points
Writing
Conventions - Introduction, Conclusion, and Organization (20
points)
|
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
3 points
|
2
or less points
|
|
Introduction and Conclusion
|
Intro
sets up essay, conclusion bring closure
|
Intro
is vague; Conclusion not specific
|
Intro
limited and Conclusion weak
|
No
Intro; No Conclusion
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15-13 points
|
12-10 points
|
9-7
points
|
6
points or less
|
|
Organization
|
Paragraphs
relate to thesis logically, and to one another with clear
transitions
|
Paragraphs
generally relate to thesis logically; transitions are used
|
Two
or more paragraphs do not connect logically to thesis; transitions
are not adequate
|
Lack
of thesis leads to unorganized paper; few transitions
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
School of Thought (100 Points)
|
|
50-45
points
|
44-40
points
|
39-35
points
|
35
points or less
|
|
Description
of Interpretation
|
Interpretation
is well summarized with numerous examples
|
Interpretation
is summarized well but only a few examples are used
|
Interpretation
not well summarized and few examples used
|
Not
sure which interpretation you propose
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50-45 points
|
44-40 points
|
39-35 points
|
35
points or less
|
|
Clarity
of Description
|
Interpretation
is clearly stated, supporters are identified, and numerous
examples are used to clarify
|
Interpretation
used is clear but not well stated; no supporters are identified;
few examples are used to clarify
|
Interpretation
is not clear; no supporters are identified; no examples are used
for clarity
|
Not
sure which interpretation you propose
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
Clarity and Reasonableness of Argument (50 Points)
|
|
20-18 points
|
17-15 points
|
14-12 points
|
12
points or less
|
|
Clarity
of Argument
|
Clear
thesis, well stated and specific
|
Thesis
is obvious but is either not precise or too broad
|
Thesis
is not obvious and/or weakly stated and needs revision
|
Lack
of clear thesis
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20-18 points
|
17-15 points
|
14-12 points
|
12
points or less
|
|
Support
for Argument
|
Argument
is clear and supported with numerous and diverse examples that
logically support your interpretation
|
Argument
is clear and supported with a few examples that logically support
your interpretation
|
Argument
is clear but no examples are used to support your interpretation
|
Argument
is in draft stage with little clarity
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10-9 points
|
8-7 points
|
6-5 points
|
4
points or less
|
|
Reasonableness
of Argument
|
Examples
are multiple, varied, and clearly and logically support your
interpretation
|
A
few examples are used to logically support your interpretation
|
Argument
is logical but no examples are used to support your interpretation
|
Argument
is in draft stage with no examples
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
Writing
Conventions - Clarity, Structure, and
Proofing (30 points)
|
|
10-9
points
|
8-7
points
|
6-5
points
|
4
points or less
|
|
Clarity
|
Writing
is clear and precise
|
Writing
is clear but precision lacking
|
Writing
is confusing in places
|
Writing
lacks clarity
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15-13 points
|
12-10 points
|
9-7 points
|
6
points or less
|
|
Sentence and Paragraph Structure
|
Sentences
are varied and clearly stated; paragraphs have clear focus and
multiple examples
|
Sentences
are clearly stated; paragraphs have clear focus
|
Sentences
are very simple and not varied; paragraphs not clearly focused
|
Incomplete,
broken, or run-on sentences; paragraphs missing or have multiple
ideas
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
3 points
|
2
or less points
|
|
Grammar and Spelling
|
Paper
has been proof read for grammar, spelling and diction; APA
literary conventions have been followed
|
Paper
has been proof read, but some grammar problems remain; spelling
and APA literary conventions generally followed
|
Paper
may not have been proof read, still has numerous grammar and
spelling errors; fails to follow APA literary conventions
|
Paper
is still at draft stage.
|
|
Points
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Points - ญญญญ_____/ 200
|
