10/1

For Wednesday, read 'Where Trouble Comes,' which is analysis of Vietnam films, then come up with a question about Vietnam war films and/or the essay which you think the class should answer. We'll use these questions for a jumping off point for discussion, so questions without yes or no answers are preferred, as are questions that cannot be answered in one sentence or less, such as '1967.'

I'd also like to get a sense of general class knowledge, so in the second part of your 250-400 word response tell us what think about when you hear reference to the Vietnam war. I'm particularly interested in where and when you've learned about it (including school but not limited to school), and what films you have seen or know about dealing with the subject, what stories you've read, how you feel about them, how they portray the Vietnam war, etc. That is, give a general account of your understanding of the war and in particular the methods by which that understanding reached you. As always, the responses must be posted by 10am on Wednesday for credit.

We'll watch portions of two of the films mentioned in the essay on Wednesday. Also, for the following Wednesday (we're off Monday for Columbus Day) I'll be asking you to watch a war film on your own and write a response on it, so be prepared to find time in your schedule for that over the long weekend.