Tradition and Transformation in Viet Nam: A Faculty Development Project

Report of a Ruth Lloyd Kramer Fellow Award

Kathie E. Shiba, Associate Professor of Psychology

November 28, 2001

I received a Ruth Lloyd Kramer Fellow Award, spring 2001, in order to develop both a January term experiential trip to Viet Nam and curricular units for several of my general education courses (FRS 140 and SLS 260). In order to accomplish this, I participated in a CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) Faculty Seminar on Viet Nam in July 2001. The trip and seminar were both fantastic! The participants included 20 faculty from a variety of educational institutions across the U.S. The seminar consisted of lectures, discussions, and visits to museums and historical sites. We journeyed to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta region. In addition, I further developed my relationship with several professors at two universities in Hanoi (Hanoi University of Technology and Viet Nam National University) and met a student who has been instrumental in organizing an email network of other students in Viet Nam who are willing to email my students this semester. Finally, I made necessary connections to begin development of a January 2003 experiential education trip.

While in Viet Nam, we listened to lectures by prominent Vietnamese professors and experts (for example, Vietnamese History and the American War by Professor Duong Trung Quoc). Interesting comparisons were made between past/present/future political and economic conditions, northern and southern cultures, and rural and urban life; even in those areas where I already knew the content, it was interesting to hear the Vietnamese perspective. We learned about, and listened to, traditional Vietnamese music presented by Artist Ba Pho and his family. In addition, we learned about the Vietnamese calendar, secular, and religious holidays from Ms. Ngo Thi Phuong Thieu. This was quite fascinating and helpful in understanding cultural traditions. Also, I visited several pagodas and temples, art, history, and war museums, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, house, and museum, Ben Thanh Market, pottery village of Bat Trang, a water puppet show, and the Thanh Xuan Peace Village. Finally, the sights, sounds, and foods of Viet Nam were incredible and unforgettable!

This fall I have already begun incorporating the information that I gathered during my trip to Viet Nam into my current courses. I developed A Cross Cultural Experience, as an optional activity for my Psychology of Adolescence (PSY 218) students. This project includes an examination of one’s own stereotypes regarding Viet Nam, communication via email with Vietnamese college students who are learning English as a foreign language in Viet Nam, and an interview with someone who has had experience with Viet Nam. In addition, I have had Vietnamese students (from CELL) visit my Perspectives on the Social Order class (SLS 260) as participants in a panel discussing personal stories regarding prejudice and discrimination. Also, I have incorporated a section on my personal website (http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/shiba) to Viet Nam (although I am still working on uploading photos and texts regarding the summer trip), and I use the website daily with my students. Finally, I am developing details regarding the experiential education trip, which is targeted for January 2003, and developing a PSY 349 seminar on cross-cultural psychology, with a unit on Viet Nam, to be taught fall 2003.

The Ruth Lloyd Kramer Fellow Award has influenced me greatly, both professionally and personally. I am grateful for the opportunity that this award has afforded me.