US HISTORY BY DECADE:
THE 1960's
“Decades” is an 18 week elective course in the
Social Studies Department designed for students that are interested in gaining
an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a single decade in modern American
History. The topic for the fall of 2014,
the 1960’s, is arguably the most divisive decade in the American experience.
Students will be expected to engage the subject by reading, discussing,
preparing and delivering presentations, and completing a variety of written
assignments. Recent History can be a delicate subject given how strongly it is
tied to our current political, economic, and social reality. It is expected that students respect one
another’s viewpoints, beliefs, and opinions. The hallmark of a successful
course, however, will be the extent that students have examined each issue from
multiple perspectives. “Decades” should help guide students down the path of
greater understanding what happened “then,” as much as understanding how it
affects “now.”
The class will focus on the following general topics:
-Liberal vs Conservative Ideology
-President John F. Kennedy
-The Cold War
-The Vietnam War
-The Civil Rights Movement
-President Lyndon B. Johnson
-60’s Counter-Culture
-The Space Race
-Music, Television, and Social Changes
-President Richard M. Nixon
Semester Outline
Week 1: Intro to Course and Historical Context of the 1960's
Week 2-5: UNIT 1: Kennedy and the Cold War
Week 6-9: UNIT 2: The Civil Rights Movement
Week 10-13: UNIT 3: The Vietnam War
Week 14-16: UNIT 4: Popular Culture and Counter Culture
Week 17-18: UNIT 5: Political Culture and Legacy of the 1960's
Week 2-5: UNIT 1: Kennedy and the Cold War
Week 6-9: UNIT 2: The Civil Rights Movement
Week 10-13: UNIT 3: The Vietnam War
Week 14-16: UNIT 4: Popular Culture and Counter Culture
Week 17-18: UNIT 5: Political Culture and Legacy of the 1960's
Class Resources
Weekly Reflection Template
*Almost Every Friday there will be a "reflection" due.
*This should be either written or typed and should be done by you alone.
*At least 2 full pages written
*A reflection can focus on one or two things that you learned that week, or cover the whole week.
*You should refer back to all notes and classwork to help you do your reflections
Musical Artifact Presentation Form
*You will be assigned at least 3 songs to present to the class throughout the semester
*Do not be absent on the day you have a song presentation (If you are, be prepared to present when you return)
*Make sure your form is fully filled out before class. We will ALWAYS begin class with the song presentation
*This presentation is "informal" but should represent a sincere effort.
*3 Presentations will add up to a QUIZ grade. (Only doing 2 will result in 66.6% of a quiz grade etc...)
*Almost Every Friday there will be a "reflection" due.
*This should be either written or typed and should be done by you alone.
*At least 2 full pages written
*A reflection can focus on one or two things that you learned that week, or cover the whole week.
*You should refer back to all notes and classwork to help you do your reflections
Musical Artifact Presentation Form
*You will be assigned at least 3 songs to present to the class throughout the semester
*Do not be absent on the day you have a song presentation (If you are, be prepared to present when you return)
*Make sure your form is fully filled out before class. We will ALWAYS begin class with the song presentation
*This presentation is "informal" but should represent a sincere effort.
*3 Presentations will add up to a QUIZ grade. (Only doing 2 will result in 66.6% of a quiz grade etc...)