In this course, students will have the opportunity to experience at first hand issues around Environment, Development, Mobility, Migration and Social Change in urban and rural Vietnam. The course is based in Danang, Hoi An and in the countryside of Quang Nam province in Central Vietnam. ANU students will have the chance to stay with Danang University students and their families in Danang, and with local families in a rice farming village in Quang Nam. Our time in Vietnam is spent partly in the classroom at Danang University but mostly out on the street and in the rice paddies doing hands on research. In addition to language tuition and lectures from ANU staff, local academics, government officials and NGO staff, students will undertake independent individual and group research projects on a theme of their choice with staff guidance and interpreting help. One of the key aims of the course is to introduce students to qualitative social science field research methodologies in a very practical way.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply core social science methods during their field based study, by conducting independent social scientific field research;
2. Understand and express key elements of scholarly work on environment, development, mobility and social and cultural change as these pertain to Vietnam, in their identification of case studies and in their written assessment items that draw on these understandings;
3. Analyse the ways in which these core themes are made meaningful for people in lived contexts, and to express this in written work,  thus gaining insight into some of the major challenges around environment, development, mobility and social change people face in urban and rural contexts in Central Vietnam;
4. use empirical case examples to explore key concepts, themes and theories from anthropology and other disciplinary areas covered in the course, in and through a first hand appreciation of living conditions in urban and rural Vietnam.
5. Select, analyse and present materials on contemporary issues pertaining to Vietnamese people
6. Demonstrate familiarity with basic Vietnamese language and social conventions.

 This course will be offered as both a 6 and a 12 unit course. As a 6 unit course, students must: 

• Take an oral test in basic Vietnamese vocabulary and “Performance” test of their understanding of the Vietnamese social context and how to behave in it (5%); (LO 2,3,5,6)
• Formulate a viable field research project in consultation with school staff; Find studies relevant to their research question in the Vietnamese and comparative contexts; Complete 1000 word pre-field report including research objectives, background, lit review and methodology (20%); (LO 1,2)
• Join a small group (4 students) doing one of the suggested field projects appropriate to your individual interest; Tailor a small group research project incorporating questionnaires suggested by staff; Carry out project in field (aided by progressive supervision, discussion and feedback from other students and staff); Small group presentation of findings; Small group research report (including questionnaire responses) (30%);(LO 1,2,3)
• 2 000 word reflection on the experience and findings of individual research project (45%). (LO 1,2,5,6)

 Students wishing to take the course as a 12 unit course would be expected to complete more comprehensive and detailed pieces of work. In its 12 unit manifestation, the course requirements are as follows:

• Formulate a viable field research project in consultation with school staff; Find  studies relevant to research question in the Vietnamese and comparative contexts; Complete 1500 word pre-field report including research objectives, background, lit review and methodology (30%) (LO1,2)
• Present on individual field research project, with reflections on how ideas have evolved since submitting written piece, and arriving in Vietnam (10%). (LO 1,2,5)
• Join a small group (4 students) doing one of the suggested field projects appropriate to individual interest; Tailor a small group research project incorporating questionnaires suggested by staff; Carry out project in field (aided by progressive supervision, discussion and feedback from other students and staff); Small group presentation of findings; Small group research report (including questionnaire responses) (30%). (LO 1,2,3)
• Oral test in basic Vietnamese vocabulary; “Performance” test of understanding of the Vietnamese social context and how to behave in it (5%) (LO 6)
• Write a 4 000 word reflection on the experience and findings of individual research project (45%) (LO 1,2,5,6)

Offered as intensive three and a half week teaching and fieldwork course in the Summer session. One weekend of pre-departure training at ANU followed by three weeks in a research location in Southeast Asia working in cooperation with local universities and supervised by ANU and local university staff.  Enrolment will be limited, and selection will be based on evaluation of marks to date and specific research interest in Vietnam.

Incompatible with ENVS2017, GEOG2017 and SRES2017. Departmental Consent required.

24 units towards a degree

Suggested preliminary reading:

How to enrol into a course offered in a non-standard session (Summer Session, Autumn Session, Winter Session, Spring Session):

1. Complete an Enrolment Variation Form available on the following website: http://students.anu.edu.au/manage/vary.php.   
2. You must include the Course Code, Class number and Semester/Session.
3. If the course requires Convenor approval (Departmental consent), the Lecturer section must be signed by the appropriate Course Convenor prior to submitting the Form.
4. Submit the Form in person to the CASS Student Office located in the Beryl Rawson Building 13, Ellery Crescent or online to students.cass@anu.edu.au.
5. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing, and submit your request as early as possible prior to the commencement of the relevant session.
6. You are advised to check ISIS for the outcome of your request after this period.
7. Please take note of the Overload Policy which may apply if you are enrolling in a non-standard session.

If you have questions, please contacts the CASS Student Office at students.cass@anu.edu.au.