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History 271/Sp 2018 The 1960s
History 271-401
The 1960s: A Cultural History
Spring 2018/TR 12-12.50am
Cunningham 107
Prof. Joseph A. Rodriguez TA: Michael Gonzales
The decade of the 1960s spawned many cultural changes that continue to shape American life. Many current debates about racial issues, politics, the family, sexuality, the media, religion, feminism, welfare, drug use, the military, music, and art began in the 1960s. Many of our current politicians either criticize or praise the social and cultural changes of the 1960s and seek to expand or overturn those changes. Politicians today are asked what they did in the decade (did they serve in the military or avoid service? Smoke marijuana or use other drugs? Protest the Vietnam War?) Present day protesters, both liberal and conservative, utilize public relations techniques to sway public opinion that demonstrators first developed in the 1960s. Even trends in fashion, movies, and music continue to react to the 1960s decade.
Course objectives: Students will learn an overview of post-WWII United States history with a concentration on the social and cultural changes of the1960s. Students will learn about how conflicts erupted over gender, ethnicand race relations, war and the anti-war movement, and social values among Americans during the 1960s. Students will learn how to discuss and analyze primary and secondary sources. Students will improve their test taking, oral presentation, and writing skills. Students will learn how to think like historians by learning about change over time and the causes and effects of social movements.
Course requirements: 1. Midterm exam(25 percent) 2. Final exam (25 percent). 3. research paper (20 percent) **4. Weekly online quiz (5 percent). Lecture attendance and in-class assignments (5 percent bonus). 5. Attendance in a weekly 50-minute discussion section is mandatory. Attendance and additional quizzes or other assignments given by the teaching assistant in the discussion section (25 percent).
NOTE: Final Exam: Friday May 18, 7.30-9.30 am in the lecture hall.
Students must take the midterm and final exam on the dates given. Students must provide documentation of any emergency that causes a missed exam in order to take a makeup. In case of such an emergency, you also must notify the professor and TA as soon as possible.
Anyone who needs special accommodations should see me or the teaching assistant during the first few weeks of classes. This includes anyone who has an Accessibility Resource Center VISA or other document stating that you must miss class due to military service, sports competitions, religious observances, music/theater performances, etc. My office is 325 Holton Hall; telephone: 229-3963; email address: . Office hours: TR 11-11.50 pm and by appointment.
For university policies on final exams, incompletes, grade complaints/appeals, accommodations for students with disabilities, absences due to religious observance and military service, policies on sexual harassment, discrimination, and academic misconduct (i.e. cheating and plagiarism) see: https://www4.uwm.edu/secu/news_events/upload/Syllabus-Links.pdf
Lecture RequirementsStudentsmust attend all lectures and discussions. Those who do so will perform well in the class. Lectures will include the opportunity for students to comment on reading material, ask questions, and hear responses from fellow students. I will also clarify reading assignments. Weekly attendance in Discussion section is mandatory and attendance will count toward your course grade.
Student behavior in lecture:
1. Arrive on time and remain until the lecture is over.
2. Remain quiet during the lecture unless I indicate a time for discussion. But feel free to raise your hand and ask a question at anytime during lectures.
3. UWM building rules prohibit eating or drinking in classrooms.
4. Please use the bathroom before or after lecture.
5. Turn off cell phones, no surfing the web during class, and do not use headphones.
Required textbooksand other readings:
1. Alexander Bloom and Wini Breines,Takin’ it to the Streets: A Sixties Reader(4th edition; abbreviated in syllabus as SR). This book has several editions. Some readings may not be available in earlier editions.
2. David Farber, The Age of Great Dreams: America in the 1960s (AGD
3. Lawrence Kessenich, Cinnamon Girl—You must complete this novel in time to write the paper. Please read two chapters per weekfor the first 7 weeks.
All readings are available through the Virtual bookstore and on 2-hour reserve.
Time Investment:
Lectures and discussion; 40 hrs.
Studying, reading: 60 hours
Writing/research: 40 hours Total: 140
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Additional readings are available on the course D2L site. Ask the professor or TA if you don’t know how to access the D2L. The D2L also has links to digital collections that will help provide sources for your paper.
For information on academic advising including how to become a History major or minor, see: http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/history/undergrad/
Lecture and Readings Schedule(*Indicates a document to be discussed in lecture; please finish readings prior to discussion section)
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Week 1
Jan. 23-Introduction.
Jan. 25-Post-War America.
Read: Age of Great Dreams (AGD) Preface; and SR, Past as Prologue.
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Week 2
Jan. 30-JFK--A New Generation. Read: AGD, chapters 1-2;
Feb. 1--Civil Rights Movement. AGD, ch. 4; SR, 12-36; *Moody (p. 17).
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Week 3
Feb. 6- Free Speech Movement; SR,97-110; *Savio (p. 105); AGD, ch. 9
Feb.8-Vietnam War; SR, 172-187; AGD, ch. 6.
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Week 4
Feb. 13-Vietnam War; SR *Skakel (p. 167); 187-193.
Feb. 15 -The New Left. SR, 60-76; AGD, ch. 7.
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Week 5
Feb. 20-Anti-War Movement;SR, 193-210; 212-231; 330-37; 494-500.
Feb. 22 -Urban Crisis /Great Society; AGD, ch. 5; SR, 90-96.
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Week 6
Feb.27-Malcolm and the Panthers. *Malcolm X (p. 119); SR, 117-147.
March 1-Latinos and Asian Americans; SR,147-160;459-472.
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Week 7
March 6 -American Indians: SR, 160-162; *Alcatraz Proclamation (p.160)
March 8-Midterm Examination. Midterm will cover all work through March 1.
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Week 8
March 13-Women’s Movement. SR, 76-79; 406-434; AGD, ch.11.
March 15-Women’s Movement. SR 444-458 *Rossi (p. 413)
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Spring Break-March 18-March 25
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Week 9
March 27-Sexual Revolution and Gay Liberation. SR, 275-279; 438-445; 500-515.
March 29-The Counterculture; AGD, ch. 8; SR, 236-256; 266-275.
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Week 10
April 3-Communes; SR, 297-299*;
April 5-Environmental movement; SR, 527-537; 477-482; AGD, ch. 3.
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Week 11
April 10-Rock and Roll. *Joplin (p. 249)
April 12-Rock and Roll.); SR, 242-255; 515-527; *Noebel (p.340-342)
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Week 12
April 17-Underground Press; SR, 294-297;
April 19-TV/Film; SR, 256-260.
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Week 13
April 24-Sports; SR, *Harry Edwards, 140-142.
April 26- Religion (Paper due in lecture); SR, 210-212; 261-266.
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Week 14
May 1-Conservative movement; SR, 300-330; AGD, ch. 10.*Reagan (p.311-312).
May 3-Aftermath. SR, 545-555; AGD, Conclusions.
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Week 15
May 8=Summation and Assessment.
The midterm and final exams will include multiple choice, short answer, and essays.
Grading of assignments is on a 100-point scale.
Grade breakdown (percentage or points)
93+ =A; 92-90=A-; 89-86=B+;85-83=B;82-80=B-;79-76=C+;75-73=C;72-70=C-
69-67=D+;66-63=D; 62-60=D; <59 = F
**Use these links to find primary sources for your research paper:
Kaleidoscope: http://collections.lib.uwm.edu/digital/collection/kal/search/searchterm/
UWM Post: https://uwm.edu/lib-collections/uwmpost/
WUWM College Talk radio program:
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmac0002