“American Studies in Vietnam: Challenges and Prospects” Workshop
Hue University and The Asia Foundation
Hue, November 17-18, 2008
The Asia Foundation has supported the development of American Studies in Vietnamese
university since 2003, beginning with two study tours for Vietnamese university
administrators and educators to Japan, China, and the U.S. to gather information on how
American Studies programs were structured. Since then, the Foundation has provided
sustain support on American Studies through a Luce Foundation-funded project with
focus on 4 areas: curriculum development; training for selected educators in the U.S.;
materials acquisitions on American Studies for selected universities; and networking
opportunities for American Studies educators. .
As the project comes to an end, it is worthwhile to take stock of the development of
American Studies in Vietnam, achievement and gaps, in order to establish priority for
future activities. Given the nascent stage of American Studies in Vietnam, the issues of
concern have been basic ones related to curriculum development, teaching methods,
teaching resources, and networking among universities with American Studies programs.
Over the past three years, it has emerged that most universities have situated American
Studies within a broader International Studies program, and the general acceptance of the
interdisciplinary approach in American Studies has led to interesting discussions and
experimentations with new teaching methods, the use of the Internet, and a more studentcentered focus.
As more educators and students becoming aware of American Studies, with a growing
number of Vietnamese professors attending the annual meeting of American Studies
Association in the U.S. and participation in other relevant regional and international
forums, it is becoming clear that American Studies as defined in the U.S. is different than
what is American Studies in Vietnam. This is a fundamental and necessary distinction,
given that Vietnamese educators understandingly have primarily looked to the U.S. and
American colleagues for models and advice on how to shape and teach American Studies
in Vietnam. What should be taught about America in Vietnam? Is a straight forward
definition of American Studies as part of “area studies” sufficient for Vietnam’s needs
and interests? What should be the core curriculum for American Studies in Vietnam?
What do Vietnamese students get out of a focus on American Studies?
Answering these questions effectively requires a discussion of what American Studies
means for Vietnam, and what is distinctive about American Studies in Vietnam. With a
number of universities successfully establishing American Studies programs and others
wanting to teach more courses on America, this is perhaps an opportune time to return to
these fundamental questions about American Studies in Vietnam in greater depth and
building on the experience of the past few years. Given that colleagues in American
Studies in the region have also grappled with these fundamental questions in establishing
American Studies in their countries and universities, interactions with regional colleagues
can provide illuminating experiences to share. The workshop will be enriched by
presentations by Vietnamese scholars on teaching and research topics in American
Studies with a specific comparative emphasis relating them to relevant Vietnamese
issues.
Monday, November 17
8:00 – 8:30
Registration
8:30 – 8:45
Opening Remarks
8:45 -10:30
Session 1: American Studies in Asia
In this session, the discussion will focus on the various
different definitions of American Studies in Asia. We will
hear from the experiences of two regional scholars on how
American Studies are conceptualized and structured in their
respective countries, how such programs have evolved over
time, and the challenges they face.
Presentation 1: The Case of China
Presentation 2: The Case of Japan
10:30 – 10:45
Break
10:45 – 12:00
Session 1 (continued
Comments and Discussions
12:00 – 1:30
Lunch
Interacting with younger educators from Hue
1:30 – 5:00
Session 2: American Studies in Vietnam
This session will focus on the rationale for American
Studies in Vietnam. While different universities have taken
different emphases based on staff strength and community
needs (eg. Language and literature versus US
politics/international relations; undergraduates versus
graduates versus short term professional training), what is
the boundary framing American Studies in Vietnam? Is
there anything distinctive about American Studies in
Vietnam compared to other countries in the region? What
should be the core curriculum in American Studies? What
should inform the research agenda of American Studies
specialists? What do students have to say about the training
they received?
Presentation 1:
Presentation 2:
Presentation 3:
Comments and Discussion
Tuesday, November 18
8:30 – 10:15
Session 3: American Society, Culture, and Literature
Under the broad theme of this session, presentations will
focus on some aspects of American society, culture and
literature with particular relevance to Vietnam.
Presentation 1:
Presentation 2:
Presentation 3:
10:15 – 10:30
Break
10:30 – 12:00
Session 3 (continued)
Comments and Discussion
12:00-1:30
Lunch
Interacting with students from Hue
1:30 – 3:30
Session 4: American Economy, Domestic Politics and
International Relations
Under the broad theme of this session, presentations will
focus on some aspects of American economy, domestic
politics and international relations with particular relevance
to Vietnam.
Presentation 1:
Presentation 2:
Comments and Discussion
3:30 – 3:45
Break
3:45 – 4:30
Wrap up session