「MODERN AMERICA by the Decade: At Home and Abroad」
Course Goals: Since we are the College of WEs, my seminar usually focuses on topics that are
not related to ‘Native’ English-speaking countries. But being American myself (from
Connecticut—near New York City and Boston), in this final year of 3rd year seminars for our old
gakka, I will focus on America: both its domestic issues, and its activity around the world. My
goal is that you get a better understanding of the USA, which has had a large influence on Japan,
and diverse American cultures and people.
I would like you to understand and be able to discuss the important role the USA has played in
international affairs since WWII, which has helped ‘shape’ the world we live in today. I also
want you to have FUN, and hear what you think about the many interesting, classic, crazy (and
sometimes negative) things that American culture and lifestyles have brought to the world!
Course Outline: America has changed much since the end of WWII. You cannot really
understand America today, unless you understand its recent history. Starting with the 1950s may
seem like ‘ancient history’ to you, but it is really not so long ago (I was born in 1959)! We will
spend 5 weeks on each Decade (Spring: 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, Fall: 1980s, 1990s, 2000-present)
which gives us time to get fairly deep into each one.
For each decade, on the ‘domestic’ side, we will study about: Presidents, Work Life/Famous
Companies, Popular Music, Movies, Fashion, Food, Cars & Houses, Social Trends, Racial
Issues, and Regional Differences—such as East Coast, California, the Midwest, and the
South/Texas. On the international side, we will study America’s friends and countries it is less
friendly with, international business and trade, and America’s involvement in ‘hot spots’ around
the world. Briefly regarding the decades:
 The 1950s was a ‘bubble’ era for America, and saw the building of the highway system,
movement to the suburbs, and the birth of Rock music. It was also a start of the Cold War.
 The 1960s started conservatively, but soon heated up with the Civil Rights movement,
the Feminist movement, anti-Vietnam War feelings, and the ‘hippies’.
 The 1970s was a hard era for the US, with Watergate, several ‘Oil Shocks,’ Disco music,
and little good news for the US. But we did almost bring peace in the Middle East.
 The 1980s was a time of renewed pride, with the Reagan era, techno-pop music, a return
to economic health, and appearance of the ‘Yuppies’, but not without problems.
 The 1990s saw America become involved in Iraq, the era of Bill and Hillary Clinton, the
end of the Soviet Union, growth of the internet, and appreciation for multiculturalism.
 The 2000s has seen the election of Obama, the first African American President, the
Lehman Shock & other economic challenges, spread of smartphones and the E.U., the
growth of Islam, and the effects of Globalization on people and the environment.
--America is always interesting and continues to surprise us, what will it show us in the
Future?? Let’s think about that together!
3rd Year, Spring Semester: 1950s, 1960s, & 1970s (5 weeks for each): Short readings,
discussion, and some presentations.
3rd Year, Fall Semester: 1980s, 1990s, & 2000 to the present day. Similar format to Spring term.
4th Year, Spring Semester: Continue with Readings and discussion on America, work on
choosing sotsuron topics, gradually doing academic research, writing your outline.
4th Year, Fall Semester: Continue readings/discussion on America. Work on writing sotsuron:
we will divide it up into 3 smaller parts, to make it easier to finish. Part I due in mid- October,
Part II in early November, and part III in early-mid December. Total text: 4,500 words.
Requirements: You should have a fairly strong reading ability, but I will search for readings that
are not of the hardest level. Weekly readings will be about 4 pages long, and you should be
willing to challenge to learn new vocabulary and concepts. You must be eager to try and
participate in small group discussions with your classmates and express yourself in English. Each
student will give a short presentation twice per semester, on a topic you choose from a Decade.
To Interested Students: In the 3rd year of our WEs Department, there are fewer English classes. If
you are serious to get a job where you can be ready to USE English, then continuing to study in
English, to give presentations, and learn to discuss various topics in English, will help you to
improve your level in your last 2 years. Writing your sotsuron in English will also give you the
written skills you need in your future working life; I will support your effort strongly.
Textbook & Materials:
- Brands, H.W. (2011). American Dreams: US History since 1945. New York: Penguin.
- Films and Handouts given in class