SPRING 2007 HONORS COURSES

HONR 248W America in the 1960's
Monday, 12:30-3:00 p.m. (section 0101)
Tuesday, 1:00-3:30 p.m. (section 0102)
Dr. John Newman, Lecturer in University Honors; Major, United States Army (retired)

Why have the 1960's left such an indelible mark on the American psyche? Why are historians and participants from those traumatic years still locked in deep debate over what happened and what it means? While the disagreements persist, there is agreement on at least one point: the 60's represent a watershed in modern American history.

This course will explore the political, social, cultural, and intellectual history of America during this crucial decade. The readings, class discussions, and written assignments will cover a wide range of issues and events, including the civil rights, women's rights, and gay rights movements, the Vietnam War and the anti-war movement, and the Kennedy and King assassinations. We will carefully examine arguments from the differing perspectives.

Grades will be based on class participation, in-class presentations, and term papers.

Reading List:
Hampton and Fayer, Voices of Freedom; Gitlin, Years of Hope, Days of Rage
Horowitz and Colier, Destructive Generation
Sayles, The 60's Without Apology; Thornton, The Nixon-Kissinger Years
Evans, Personal Politics; D'Emilio and Friedman, Sexual Politics in America
Newman, JFK and Vietnam; Parker, Strategy for a Stalemate
other books on reserve

CORE–Social or Political History [SH]