Fall 2000
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During the decade of the 1960s, the fundamental stability of the American political system withstood its strongest challenge since the Civil War. This course seeks to answer the question: how and why did this happen? We will begin by examining the roots of American political stability during the 1950s as well as indications of disquiet during that period. We will then turn to the beginning of the civil rights movement in the South and the origins of student activism, including the so-called Port Huron Statement. Next we will take up the growing impact of the war in Vietnam on American society and the upsurge in political activism surrounding both the war and race relations, culminating in the great upheavals of 1968. Other topics covered will include the counterculture, including music, and liberation movements of the late 60s, including women, gays and lesbians, Chicanos and Native Americans.
1. Terry H. Anderson, The Movement and the Sixties
2. Alexander Bloom and Wini Breines, Takin' it to the Streets
3 quizzes: 30%
Take-home final: 50%
Class participation: 20%
No make-up quizzes will be administered. A missed quiz will count as "0". Class participation will be graded and will be measured by attendance and actual participation. The take home final paper is due in class the day of our last class.
Prof. Johnson (johnsonr@usfca.edu) UC 527; x6296
Office Hours: Tuesday 12:00-12:30pm; 1:30-2:30pm
Wednesday 1:30 - 2:00pm
Prof. McElwain (mcelwain@usfca.edu) UC 534; x6724
Office Hours: Monday 1:30 - 3:30pm
Wednesday 1:30 - 2:15pm
Aug 30-Sept. 2
Introduction to Course
Approaches to Political History
Election of 1960
Videotape excerpt: Nixon/Kennedy Debate
Thank You Mr. President
Sept. 6 The 1950s:
Anti-Communism and Ozzie & Harriet
Political Thinking: Left and Right
Anderson, Introduction, "Spawning Ground: Cold War Culture"
Bloom and Brienes, pp 3-16
Video excerpt: Ozzie and Harriet
Sept. 13 Civil Rights and Port Huron
Anderson, ch. 1, "The Struggle"
Bloom and Breines, pp17-44; 59-90
Videotape excerpt: "Eyes on the Prize"
Sept. 20 Vietnam - Origins of the War and Student Activism
Anderson, ch. 2, "The Movement & the 60s Generation"
Bloom and Breines: pp 203-229
Videotape excerpt: Vietnam: A Television History
Berkeley in the 60's
Sept. 27 The Election of 1964 and The Great Society
Gelfand, "The War on Poverty" from Exploring the Johnson Years
Videotape excerpt: Political ads from the 1964 election
LBJ
Oct. 4 1965-1967: Race and the War
Anderson, ch. 3, "Days of Decision"
Bloom and Breines, pp 230-39; 135-69; 240-274; 426-8
Videotape excerpt: "Eyes on the Prize"
Quiz
Oct. 11 Counterculture and the Academic Revolution
Anderson, ch. 5, "Counterculture"
Bloom and Breines: pp 275-334
Videotape excerpt: Woodstock
Hair
Audiotape excerpt: Timothy Leary
Oct. 11 7-9:30pm Film: "Easy Rider"
Oct. 18 Music and Politics
Guest Lecturer: Prof. Robert Elias (Politics)
Audiotape Excerpt: 60’s music
Oct. 25 1968: Tet, LBJ & New Hampshire, Assassinations
Anderson, ch 4, "1968 Rip Tides"
Bloom and Breines, pp 381-412
Videotape excerpt: Vietnam: A Television History
Robert Kennedy,
Martin Luther King,
Memphis Tennessee Garbage Strike
Chicago Democratic Convention
Quiz
Nov. 1 1968: International Eruptions and Domestic Politics (Conventions and Election)
(1st name)…Brown, Protest in Paris, pp. 2-32
Bloom and Breines, pp 413-441; 445-458
Nov. 8 The Women's Movement: The Second Wave
Anderson, ch. 6, "Power and Liberation
Bloom and Breines, pp 459-558
Nov. 15 Chicano, Native American, and Asian Liberation
Bloom and Breines, pp 177-201
Videotape excerpt: Quest for the Homeland Cesar Chavez
Take-home final paper questions distributed
Nov. 29 Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movements
Anderson, ch. 6, "Power and Liberation" (cont.)
John D'Emelio, pp. 196-239
Bloom and Breines, pp 596-606
Videotape excerpt: Stonewall
Dec. 6 Legacy of the Sixties
Anderson, ch. 7, "The Movement Towards a New America,"
and "Legacies, Sea Change"
Take-home final paper is due in class on December 6. We will not accept papers submitted after this date.
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A president's political reputation can change with startling speed. In 1964 a cartoonist portrayed President Johnson as a political maestro; three years later another cartoonist saw him being ground up by issues that he could not control.
