iLearnforum

Area: SOUTHEASTASIA EXPLORE

Module Title: Series 1 Pre-Modern States in Present-Day Vietnam

Instructor Name : Thaveeporn Vasavakul

Contact Hours : 15 hours

Language of Instruction : English and Languages of Southeast Asia

Schedule : 05 Jul 2027 - 31 Dec 2027

Details :

Series 1, Pre-Modern States in Present-Day Vietnam, is a self-paced online series exploring Vietnam through its peoples, including the Việt and ethnic minority communities, and their history, society, and culture. Trace its history from the Đông Sơn period before Chinese domination through independence and successive dynasties to the Nguyễn dynasty before French colonialism. For the broader program framework, consult Series Notification- Exploring Vietnam: Peoples, History, Culture, and Society Series 1-8 — Online Learning with Optional On-Site Visits. Series 1: Pre-Modern States in Present-Day Vietnam This module introduces Series 1 within this larger program. Pre-Modern States in Present-Day Vietnam consists of six sessions: Session 1 — Đông Sơn / Red River Civilization Session 2 — The Period of Chinese Domination (Bắc thuộc) Session 3 — Independence (Tenth Century) Session 4 — The Lý-Trần Dynasties: Buddhist Patronage and Royal Authority Session 5 — The Hồ-Lê-Mạc Dynasties: Confucianism as State Ideology Session 6 — Tây Sơn to the Nguyễn Dynasty before French Colonialism: From Đại Việt to Việt Nam Series 1 examines the development and transformation of pre-modern states in the territory of present-day Vietnam. Historical records identify numerous polities, including Văn Lang, Âu Lạc, Giao Chỉ, Đại Cồ Việt/Đại Việt/Việt Nam/Đại Nam, Champa’s multiple state centers, and Chenla. The series analyzes the internal and external conditions that shaped these states, with particular attention to territory, leadership, bureaucratic institutions, economic organization, and sovereignty. The module’s English-language references include major contributions to the study of pre-modern state formation in present-day Vietnam by Oliver Wolters, Keith Taylor, John Whitmore, and Alexander Woodside; studies of Cổ Loa by Nam C. Kim, Chinese colonization by Jennifer Holmgren, the Lê Code by Insun Yu, Nguyễn Cochin China by Li Tana, and the Tây Sơn by George Dutton; and a volume on Champa edited by Trần Kỳ Phương and Bruce Lockhart. The reference list will be updated throughout the module. Where relevant, the module compares pre-modern Southeast Asian states using frameworks such as mandala, negara and the theatre state, galactic polity, segmentary state, and institutional and political-economic approaches. It also considers discussions of borders and state formation. The module assesses how these frameworks illuminate the development and transformation of pre-modern states in Vietnam. Session 1 examines early state formation through Đông Sơn material culture and Red River networks, comparing archaeological evidence with later origin narratives and nationalist interpretations. Session 2 investigates how nearly a millennium of Chinese domination shaped Việt state formation through governance, regional autonomy, and resistance, alongside institutional, social, economic, and cultural transformations. Sessions 3–6 address pre-modern state development and consolidation. Session 3 examines tenth-century independence in the context of external threats and regional fragmentation, considering how competing rulers consolidated power and established legitimacy. Sessions 4–6 trace dynastic state formation from the Lý to the Nguyễn before French colonialism, with particular attention to ideology, warfare, and commerce. They analyze how Buddhism and Confucianism shaped states and state–society relations, how wars with China and Champa influenced state formation and territorial expansion, and how commerce strengthened state authority. Collectively, the six sessions establish conceptual and empirical foundations and introduce analytical approaches to the study of pre-modern states in present-day Vietnam.

PDF File

Module Description-Exploring VN Series 1 (Oct 28 2026).pdf

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