The schedule is tentative as are the lectures and price. The latter
includes airfare to both countries, airfare within Vietnam,
professional lectures, air conditioned travel, accommodations and most
meals. Efforts will be made to fine tune the program to suit the
interests of participants. As the tentative program suggests, the
program attempts to balance lectures with "hands on" experiences and
encounters with local writers, scholars and students.
THE PHILIPPINES AND VIETNAM:
CULTURE, COLONIALISM AND CONTEMPORARY LIFE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Dates: May 10 - June 1, 1999
Cost: $3,650
This seminar will introduce participants to the traditional culture,
colonial experience and contemporary life of Vietnam and the
Philippines. Given the substantial role of the United States in both
countries, instructors of American history, literature, and culture
are particularly encouraged to apply. While the Philippines and
Vietnam are of considerable interest on their own, the seminar will
also use these two countries to illuminate both Island and Mainland
Southeast Asia more generally. In addition to looking at colonial and
cold war experiences, the seminar will consider the rich literary and
artistic heritage of the region as well as recent economic
developments and the ecological and human costs of rapid social
change. Site visits will include Manila, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,
the island of Corregidor and a sampling of rural life in Vietnam.
The Seminar Directors will be Dr. Marc Jason Gilbert (North Georgia &
State University), 706-864-1911 or mgilbert@nugget.ngc.peachnet.edu
and Dr. Paul A. Rodell (Georgia Southern University), 912-681-5693 or
rodell@gsaix2.cc.gasou.edu. However, for application forms and
program Information, please contact Ms. Carmen Diaz (Kennesaw State
University) at 770-499-3629 or cdiaz@ksumail.kennesaw.edu.
PHILIPPINES/VIET NAM ITINERARY (TENTATIVE)
May 10: (Monday) Depart Atlanta
May 11: (Tuesday) In transit to Hong Kong and Manila -- crossing the
international dateline.
May 12: (Wednesday) Arrival in Manila
We will be met by a representative of our host, the University
of the Philippines, who will take us to our accommodations. The
group will be given a short tour of the university campus, but most of
the day will be free.
May 13: (Thursday)
The opening session and orientation, "Discovering the Philippines,
will seek to provide an overview of the country, its land and people,
geography, demography, and social-cultural traits, values, beliefs and
practices. After lunch, the group will tour Quezon City where the
university is located. The city is home to many government offices
and shopping areas and is the primary residential area for much of
Metro Manila's population. Dinner, evening free.
May 14: (Friday)
Lecture on "Philippine History. Last year (1998) was the Centenial
year of the Declaration of Philippine Independence as well as of the
Spanish-American War. Meanwhile, February 1899 saw the outbreak of
fighting between United States and Filipino forces and the beginning
of the American colonial regime in the Philippines. These major
events and the historical relationship between our two countries will
be surveyed. The lecture following lunch will focus on "Philippine
Cultural History Through the Arts. This session will examine the many
influences, both Asian and European, that have added to the nation's
indigenous traditions to produce a unique musical, artistic and
literary life. Dinner will be followed by a reception with UP faculty
and graduate students.
May 15: (Saturday)
Today will be devoted to a visit "downtown" to some of Manila's most
important sites including the old Spanish Fort Santiago, the Manila
Cathedral and the adjoining Intramuros District. After lunch the
group will visit the National Museum and tour Rizal Park and the
Philippine Senate and lower house before returning to the campus.
Dinner, evening free.
May 16: (Sunday)
Free morning. The Philippines is a very religious country and
participants are encouraged to attend either a Roman Catholic mass or
a Protestant service to observe the country's spiritual life for
themselves. Churches are located on campus but the co-directors will
also be happy to take you to an off-campus church in Quezon City. The
lecture following lunch will be "The Chinese in the Philippines and
Southeast Asia." The Chinese are often at the center of Southeast
Asia's economic and political life, but are frequently discriminated
against. How does this ethnic minority "fit" into the region socially
and what domestic and international political problems have arisen as
a result? Following dinner, there will be an optional evening trip to
some art galleries in Manila and meetings with artists and writers of
contemporary Philippine fiction.
May 17 (Monday)
The morning lecture will be "Philippine Government and Politics.
Most Americans know about Imelda Marcos' shoes and they remember how
housewife/widow Corazon Aquino overthrew the corrupt government of
Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, but how does the country really function?
This morning we will look at this fascinating topic with the help of a
member of UP's Department of Political Science. After, lunch, a
lecture on "Philippine/ Southeast Asian Economic Development and the
Ecology" will continue our examination of contemporary affairs with a
look at the country's economy and how the region has been impacted by
the current economic crisis. What price, too, does economic
development extract from the region's delicate environment. Following
dinner, the evening is free, with an optional evening trip to the
Cultural Center of the Philippines located on Manila Bay for a
cultural event.
May 18 (Tuesday)
"Insular/Islamic Southeast Asia" -- Much of Southeast Asia's
population are Muslims and today will be devoted to that important
topic. We will start with an overview of the cultures, politics and
economies of Indonesia and Malaysia. Following lunch, a lecture on
"Muslim Minorities in the Philippines" will continue our look at Islam
by examining the problems confronting a predominantly Christian
country with a significant Muslim population. Following dinner, we
will hear from a special speaker on Philippine film.
May 19 (Wednesday)
Proposed Day Trip:
Corregidor Island -- Crossing Manila Bay will take the group to the
island of Corregidor just off the tip of the Bataan Peninsula. Here
American and Filipino soldiers held off Japanese imperial forces from
December 1941 to April the following year. Monuments to the fallen
and gun entrenchments and the deep caves where Filipino and American
soldiers valiantly defended themselves against the superior enemy
stand as a permanent reminder of their sacrifices. A box lunch will
be included.
Alternative Trip:
Tour of lakeshore towns southeast of Manila along Lake Laguna (Laguna
de Bay). The communities on this route are some of the oldest
settlements in the country. Much of the area remains a vibrant
agricultural "rice-basket" even as the sprawl of Metro Manila
encroaches ever further outward. Towns along the way have some of the
oldest churches in the country, Spanish colonial style homes, quaint
plazas and active open air markets. Stops along the way will include
the University of the Philippine College of Agriculture and the
International Rice Research Institute, both located in the town of Los
Banos. Lunch will be included. Dinner and the evening will be free.
May 20 (Thursday)
"Mainland/Buddhist Southeast Asia" -- This session will survey
the cultures, political lives and economies of Thailand and Burma with
references to the former Indochina states. After lunch, we will hear
about "ASEAN and Regionalism." This final session will examine
outstanding issues of cooperation and conflict in Southeast Asia,
(South China Sea and regional security; democratization vs.
authoritarianism; "Asian values", etc.) After dinner, the evening is
free.
May 21: (Friday)
Morning departure from Manila and an afternoon arrival in
Hanoi. Overnight in Galaxy Hotel, Hanoi.
May 22: (Saturday)
Morning lecture on Vietnamese history followed by a City Tour
including the former Hanoi Hilton now a museum, the History Museum
where we will have a private luncheon. After lunch, we will visit the
Fine Arts Museum and have a lecture on traditional Vietnamese art.
Dinner will be followed by a performance of the traditional water
puppets. Overnight Galaxy Hotel, Hanoi.
May 23: (Sunday)
Morning visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, House and Museum
and the One Pillar Pagoda. Afternoon visit to the Ethnology Museum
where we have a lecture on Vietnamese literature and a private
luncheon before visiting the Temple of Literature where we meet with
local Vietnamese writers. Overnight Galaxy Hotel.
May 24: (Monday)
Morning lecture on Developmental and Environmental Issues
before visits with Vietnamese college students and faculty. Afternoon
visit to Cafe Lam, a private gallery housing the work of local
eclectic artists with opportunity to meet with some of the artists and
discuss their art and style. Overnight Galaxy Hotel, Hanoi.
May 25: (Tuesday)
Morning visit to Ha Bac Province for visiting various local
crafts villages. We will have time to interact with the artisans and
try a hand at some of their handicrafts. Afternoon and evening to
meet with writers, schiolars and students or have some free time on
your own. Overnight Galaxy Hotel, Hanoi.
May 26: (Wednesday)
Morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Afternoon City Tour to
include Reunification Hall, the former Presidential Palace, the
grounds of the former US Embassy, the Old Post Office and Notre Dame
Cathedral. Overnight at the Grand Hotel, HCMC.
May 27/28: (Thursday/Friday)
A two-day excursion into the lower Mekong Delta intended to
introduce the daily rituals of river life. Depart in the morning by
road to Vinh Long. Arrive in time for lunch at an open air restaurant
on a former helicopter pad overlooking the river. After lunch board a
boat to begin a journey along the tributaries of the Mekong with stops
at local craft villages to witness craftsmen plying their trades
before reaching our destination: a privately owned traditional House
on Stilts where we will be greeted by our host family and enjoy a
special opportunity participating in a Vietnamese cooking. Arising
to the sound of roosters the next morning you will enjoy a family
style breakfast and a lecture on economics of the Mekong Delta Region
and overall economic policy before departing for the Floating Market
and the riverside village of Cai Be. Return to HCMC after stopping
for lunch in My Tho. Dinner in central city Saigon followed by drinks
at the Continental and Rex Hotels.
[(May 27: Overnight House on Stilts (basic accommodations and
facilities). May 28: Overnight Grand Hotel.]
May 29: (Saturday)
Full day excursion to Cu Chi to experience the network of
underground tunnels over 200 km in length which were used
during the French and American wars followed by driving to Tay
Ninh, birthplace of the Cao Dai religion, to witness the
noontime ceremonial prayer service. This is the perfect
setting for our lecture on the Vietnamese Calendar and
Religious Holidays. Following a lunch, we drive back to HCMC.
Overnight Grand Hotel.
May 30: (Sunday)
Morning visit to the to the War Remnants Museum. Afternoon
free to explore the city at leisure. Farewell Dinner. Overnight
Grand Hotel
May 31: (Monday)
Transfer to the airport for return to the US
Return to Atlanta June 1, 1998.
PROGRAM AND PRICING INFORMATION
Philippine Program Portion Includes: All accommodations, meals,
ground transportation and most sightseeing and entrance fees.
Participants will also receive a kit containing books, handouts and
relevant instructional materials.
Viet Nam Program Portion Includes: Hotels (including tax and service),
all transportation and tours, in-country flight, sightseeing and
entrance fees, all breakfasts and other meals as indicated on the
itinerary (a small number of dinners etc. during "on your own"
sections are not covered), English speaking escorts.
Items Not Covered: Emergency medical evacuation/repatriation
insurance, drinks with meals, personal expense items and international
airport departure taxes.
Hotels based on availability and are subject to change.
*******************************************
PROF. MARC JASON GILBERT
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND SOCIOLOGY
NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA 30597
PHONE: 706-864-1911
FAX: 706-864-1873
E-MAIL MGILBERT@NUGGET.NGC.PEACHNET.EDU
*******************************************
PROF. MARC JASON GILBERT
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND SOCIOLOGY
NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA 30597
PHONE: 706-864-1911
FAX: 706-864-1873
E-MAIL MGILBERT@NUGGET.NGC.PEACHNET.EDU