CANCELLED!
This tutorial will trace the history of Cambodia from the Angkorian era starting in the eighth century through the tragedy of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge Holocaust, during which two million Cambodians (more than 21% of the population) were murdered in an attempt to turn Cambodia into a Maoist, peasant-led agrarian utopia. After establishing a basic understanding of the country's early history, we will focus on understanding the series of events-French colonization in 1884, Cambodian independence in 1953, the US's carpet bombing in 1969 and invasion (with South Vietnam) in 1970-that led to the Khmer Rouge's takeover of Phnom Penh in April 1975. We will finish the course with the North Vietnamese invasion of 1978 and Cambodia's attempts of the last 25 years to reestablish a sound and functional polity. This course will use films, websites, survivors' accounts, and fiction, as well as conventional histories to paint a multi-dimensional picture of this fascinating but understudied history. Format: tutorial. Requirements: students will meet with the instructor in pairs for an hour each week. Each student will write and present orally a 5- to 7-page essay every other week on the readings assigned for that week. In alternate weeks, students will be responsible for offering an oral critique of the work of their partner. Students will be evaluated on their written work and their analyses of their partner's work. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 10). Open to all. Preference given on the basis of preparation for the course, previous academic performance, and demonstrated commitment on the topic. Group C