The 1970s
AMST 4910 (Monday, TNCB 219, 4:30-7:10)
The 1970s was a transformative
decade in American society and
culture. The decade is often regarded
as a “decade of crisis.” It witnessed
U.S. defeat in Vietnam, the collapse
of the industrial sector, the energy
crisis, and the Watergate scandal,
which led to the resignation of
President Richard Nixon. It also saw
a number of new developments
including the birth of the “New
Economy” based on the service and
information industries, and the rebirth of conservatism. Popular culture
too underwent significant changes as
the identity politics of the 1960s
morphed into new forms of cultural
expression and representation.
How and why did 1970s politics,
society and culture take on the form
that they did? What caused the
ongoing sense of crisis? And what
lasting changes did the events of the
1970s give rise to?
Through readings, guided discussion,
and in-class textual analysis, this
course offers a sustained analysis of
the politics, economics and culture of
the decade, and will provide students
a grounding in a decade whose effects
are still with us today.
For more information e-mail Dr.
David Gray at dgray807@gmail.com