HIST217 Schedule

Week 1

COLD WAR LIVING

August 27 Setting the stage READING: James Roark et al, excerpt on Cold War origins
August 29 Politics and the early cold war READING: Robert Divine, “Cold war and the Election of 1948” Analysis 1 due to Dr. Slavishak & critics

Week 2

September 1 ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE: “Facts about Fallout” pamphlet, 1955 [also available here]
September 3 Nuclear anxieties READING: Rose, introduction and chapter 1
September 5 Apocalyptic lit READING: Rose, chapter 2

Week 3

September 8 The American way of life, underground READING: Rose, chapters 3 and 4
September 10 Science, military, politics READING: Rose, chapter 5
September 12 The end of the shelter era READING: Rose, chapter 6
Analysis 2 due to Dr. Slavishak & critics

CIVIL RIGHTS POLITICS

Week 4

September 15 ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE: “Factors in Racial Situation here in Harrison County,” ca. 1960 [course website]
September 17 The aftermath of Brown READING: Chafe, pages 3-41
September 19 The politics of moderation READING: Chafe, pages 42-70

Week 5

September 22 Direct action phase READING: Chafe, pages 71-118
September 24 Illusions of progress READING: Chafe, pages 119-152
September 26 Escalation READING: Chafe, pages 155-203 Analysis 3 due to Dr. Slavishak & critics

Week 6

September 29 ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE: Ed Valtman cartoon, 1963 [course website]
October 1 Endgame READING: Chafe, pages 203-249
October 3 Group project work /// CHAFE PAPER DUE

THE COUNTERCULTURE AND THE MAINSTREAM

Week 7

October 6 The cultural mode of the corporate moment READING: Frank, chapters 1 and 2
October 8 The creative revolution READING: Frank, chapter 3
October 10 “Constant discontent with the status quo” READING: Frank, chapters 4 and 5

Week 8

October 13 *** Midterm break—no class ***
October 15 Perfect consumers READING: Frank, chapters 6 and 7
October 17 *** NO CLASS *** Analysis 4 due to Dr. Slavishak & critics

Week 9

October 20 ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE: Allen Ginsberg, “Howl” [course website]
October 22 Cola and leisure suits READING: Frank, chapters 8 and 9
October 24 Alienation and despair --> consent READING: Frank, chapters 10 and 11

Week 10

October 27 In-class film viewing /// FRANK PAPER DUE
October 29 ** Group meetings with Dr. Slavishak **
October 31 ** Group meetings with Dr. Slavishak ** Analysis 5 due to Dr. Slavishak & critics

Week 11

November 3 ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE: letter to the FBI, May 1956 [course website]
November 5 Elvis READING: Michael Bertrand, “Elvis Presley and the Politics of Popular Memory”
NOV. 5, 7:30 pm: Michael Bertrand talk on Elvis and memory

VIETNAM EXPERIENCES

November 7 “This time of phony war” READING: Caputo, prologue & chapters 1-4

Week 12

November 10 “Not at Quantico anymore” READING: Caputo, chapters 5-7
November 12 Keeping records of the dead READING: Caputo, chapters 8-10
November 14 Acute anxiety reactions READING: Caputo, chapters 11-13
Analysis 6 due to Dr. Slavishak & critics

Week 13

November 17 ANALYSIS / CRITIQUE: McGeorge Bundy memo to LBJ [course website]
November 19 “A hatred buried so deep” READING: Caputo, chapters 14-16
November 21 “Watching myself in a movie” READING: Caputo, chapters 17-18 & epilogue

Week 14

November 24 *** Group meetings with Dr. Slavishak ***
November 26 *** Thanksgiving—no class ***
November 28 *** Thanksgiving—no class ***

Week 15

December 1 Project presentations
December 3 Project presentations
December 5 Project presentations