A Series of Academic Activities in the U.S. History Course for K50 Students of American Studies

Within the framework of the U.S. History course, students from the K50 Asia-Pacific Studies, specialized American Studies major participated in a series of academic activities aimed at connecting theoretical knowledge with practical engagement.

1. Simulation on U.S. History

Marking the opening of the academic activity series,  on December 17, 2024, Class K50 of the American Studies Major along with the guidance of lecturers and coordinators, organized a simulation on the U.S. government across historical periods. The simulation was conducted in an active and dynamic atmosphere, reflecting the strong engagement of participating students. The simulation aimed to help students review key developments in U.S. history, with a particular focus on major policies and strategies in different historical periods, while simultaneously fostering multi-dimensional approaches and critical thinking in the analysis of U.S. policymaking.

By recreating processes of discussion, debate, and negotiation among U.S. government officials and various interest groups, the activity vividly illustrated how important policies, strategies, and decisions were formulated during several pivotal periods in U.S. history, including: (1) the Great Depression (1929–1932) and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies; (2) the period leading to the United States’ decision to enter World War I; and (3) the stage at which the United States formulated its strategy to end the war in Vietnam. The simulation not only enabled students to consolidate and systematize their knowledge of U.S. history, but also laid an important foundation for applying historical insights to the analysis of contemporary policy issues and international relations.

2. The Field Trip to the Vietnam Military History Museum

Following the simulation, on the morning of May 2025, students embarked on a highly successful field trip to the Vietnam Military History Museum. The visit left a lasting impression, creating meaningful memories for both faculty and students.

At the Vietnam Military History Museum, students had the opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to a wide range of historical documents, artifacts, and eyewitness accounts. In particular, for students majoring in American Studies, the period during which the United States involved in the war in Vietnam represents an especially significant historical episode, closely associated with major shifts in U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in the twentieth century. Visiting the Vietnam Military History Museum and engaging directly with documents, artifacts, and visual exhibits related to the U.S. war in Vietnam provided students with a more concrete and vivid understanding of the historical context, the scale of the conflict, and the consequences of U.S. policy decisions during this period for Vietnam.

Overall, the academic series generated meaningful educational value, enriching the course content and enhancing students ' engagement with U.S. history through practical and multi-perspective approaches. The American Studies Major would like to sincerely thank the faculty of the Asia-Pacific Studies department and K50 students for their active participation and commitment, which contributed to the success of this meaningful series of activities.

Some photos at the event: