THE HISTORY OF THE SIXTIES
Mr. Fader
COURSE INTRODUCTION
1. OBJECTIVES:
This course is taught with the following objectives in mind: to encourage and foster an interest in modern
American history; to provide background for understanding current events and contemporary issues; to introduce an
integrated view of history that includes literature, the arts and popular culture; to develop skills in analytical reading, critical
thinking, historical writing, discussion and debate; to learn how to evaluate movies and images as historical documents;
and to learn oral history techniques.
2. CONTENT:
This course will include the following areas of study:
A. The presidency of John F. Kennedy
B. The Civil Rights movement
C. LBJ, his Great Society, and the War on Poverty
D. The Vietnam War
E. The "movements" of the 1960s including the New Left, the counter culture, the
peace movement, the sexual revolution, women's liberation, and consumer and
environmental protection.
F. The turning point years of 1968 and 1969
G. The presidency of Richard Nixon
In addition to these areas, the course will include discussions of science and technological advances and
American popular culture (literature, music, art, film, theater) and their relationship to and influence on politics and
historical events.
3. SYLLABUS:
You will receive a syllabus at the beginning of each unit. If you are absent you are expected to follow the
assignments as they appear on the syllabus. If you are unsure about a journal assignment, you should call one of the
teachers or one of your friends. If you are absent on the day a project is due, you are expected to turn it in on the day you
return.
4. MATERIALS:
Printed:
Strawberry Statement (Kunen)
A Rumor of War (Caputo)
Coming of Age in Mississippi (Moody)
plus numerous handouts
Some notes on the readings: There will be a lot of reading in this course. We think that you will enjoy the
readings we select, and we expect you to keep up with the syllabus.
Films:
“Thirteen Days”
"Mississippi Burning"
"Malcolm X"
"Platoon"
Documentary tapes:
"Making Sense of the Sixties"
"RFK: The Man and His Times"
"1968"
"The Kennedys"
"JFK Remembered"
"LBJ"
"Nixon"
"Eyes on the Prize"
"The Vietnam War"
"Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam"
Some notes on films: In order to utilize as much visual material as possible in this course, we will from
time to time have a double period and use the lunch period. When we do this you will be able to eat your lunch during
class. You will be warned in advance when this will take place. You will be expected to return a signed movie permission
form at the beginning of the course because many of the movies we view are R-rated.
6. EVALUATION
Everything you do in this course affects your grade. Grading will primarily be based on tests, participation,
journals, oral reports and projects. Late assignments are reduced three points per day, and missing assignments will be
recorded and averaged as zero. Every student will be expected to take the final exam.
A. Tests and quizzes: There will be four or five tests which combine objective and essay questions. The tests will
be demanding and thorough. Quizzes, announced & unannounced, will average one per week.
B. Class participation: While lectures will be given from time to time, a good class depends on a willingness of all
members to make frequent and positive contributions. Respect for the views of others must be honored at all
times.
C. Journals: Journal assignments give you the opportunity to reflect on the themes discussed in the readings or
in class. You are expected to answer the journal questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. Most journal questions
will require you to write at least a page. Be sure to write down the journal assignments in class.
D. Projects: You will be asked to complete many different types of projects in this class. These may include
papers, an oral history project, art projects, music videos, movie reviews, and simulation activities.
7. CLASS FINAL PROJECT:
In addition to other assignments, every student will be expected to complete a final project. These final projects
can be research papers, oral history interviews with analysis, book or movie reviews, or some other approved project.
These final projects will be edited and arranged into a class magazine.
8.
GUESTS:
From time to time, Vietnam veterans and other witnesses of the events of the 1960s will join us to offer their
perspectives on the decade and its aftermath. It is expected that the class will make them feel welcome and will
participate with questions and comments.
THE HISTORY OF THE SIXTIES
MOVIE PERMISSION FORM
I ____________________________
give my son/daughter
_________________ permission to watch all or part of the
following movies during class. I realize that some of them are
R-rated.
Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam
Malcolm X
Mississippi Burning
Platoon
Selma
Thirteen Days
Woodstock Documentary
__________________________
signature
______
date