The 1960s Research Project
Introduction: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is set in the mid-1960s. How do we know? Well,
Hinton never states the place or the date in the book, but I have done my research. First, Hinton
mentions that the boys, especially the Socs, frequently wear Madras shirts. Madras shirts were
popular during the 1960s. Then come the cars. In The Outsiders, two kinds of cars are mentioned: the
Ford Mustang and the Chevy Corvair. I found that the first Mustang was produced in 1964 (half way
through the year) and that the last Corvair left the assembly line in 1969 (Flory, 2004). Therefore,
I’ve narrowed the window of the story from eternity to 1964 through 1969. Our best guess is that the
book is set in the mid 1960s (1965 and 1966).
Assignment: For this project, you’ll be working in groups and conducting research much like I did,
in order to better understand the setting of The Outsiders. You’ll choose a topic from the list provided
on the next sheet that is comprised of popular 1960s American trends and events. Once the topic is
approved, you can start researching that topic with your group members. Then, you can divide up the
work so each member has their own part. You’ll need to make a GoogleDoc Presentation and using
the MLA format, cite the sources that you used to find your research. You will then present your
research to the class.
GoogleDoc Presentation Requirements: Your presentation MUST CONTAIN:
- One title or introduction slide that states the topic of your group’s research and includes
all of the presenter’s names.
- Five slides per person:
~ Each group member should create a total of four information slides and one bibliography
slide with correctly cited sources.
~ Each slide has graphics and facts.
~ All pictures (including graphs and tables) have brief captions
~ There is a minimum of five informative and enlightening facts per slide.
~ Both spelling and grammar is correct
~ All facts are written in complete sentences
~ Information must come from legitimate sources
~ There must be at least three correctly cited sources per group member
*make sure that you also have website information and not just the URL for pictures
- Slides that are attractive and easy to read
- NOTE: All slides should be proof-read not only by the person who wrote them, but also by all
group members.
Presentation Requirements:
- Each group member must present during the presentation
- Each member will present their part of the project
- You have met the assignment’s requirement
- Each presenter must speak loudly and clearly
- Do NOT read off of the slides and look at your audience
- You are well prepared and it is evident that you have practiced.
Your Grade:
- Your GoogleDoc Presentation contains all of the above GoogleDoc requirements.
- You fulfill all of the above presentation requirements.
- MLA Bibliography slides contain all references with correct citations.
- You have used class time wisely to complete your research.
30 pts.
10 pts.
10 pts.
10 pts.
List of possible topics:
-
music (artists or genre)
fashion (clothes, hair, and jewelry)
Vietnam War
Vietnam protests
Kennedy assassination
cars
technology
advertisements (radio, TV, print)
cigarette promotions
space program and the “Space Race”
Peace Corps
schools (high school, university, popular majors, dicipline)
common gender roles
airplanes
famous political figures
movies that were famous or innovative
Civil Rights Movement
architecture (Levitown) and furniture
toys and games (pastimes)
popular sports
Once you have selected a topic, you may begin researching. Once you have collected enough
information, you can then begin putting together your GoogleDoc Presentation.
Remember to check that you have fulfilled all of the requirements on the previous sheet!
After you have finished the Presentation, do not forget to PRACTICE before you present!