American Cultural Studies
 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

  
 
This course moves beyond the junior year survey in American history by delving deeper into the Post-WW II era with a special emphasis on American culture.  Students will learn about the effects of the G.I. Bill, the Cold War and the economic boom of the 1950’s while also covering trends in music, television and other forms of popular culture.  The 1960’s lessons will focus on the idealism of the Kennedy era, the harsh realities of the Vietnam War and the trial and tribulations of the Civil Rights Movement.  Time will also be devoted to the Counterculture movement leading up to and including Woodstock.  The last portion of the course will examine the controversies surrounding Watergate, the rise of the Feminist Movement, and the energy crisis and general economic and social malaise of the late 1970’s, culminating in a visit back to Lake Placid, NY and the gold medal victory of the US Men’s hockey team in February of 1980.  For each decade, one significant piece of literature will be read and one major film will be viewed in its entirety.  A required final exam covering all three decades will be given during the normal mid-year exam period in January.
 

 

READINGS

  

  • Kerouac, Jack                          Dharma Bums

  • Freidan, Betty                         The Feminine Mystique

  • Mahler, Jonathan                    Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning

All other readings are posted on the school’s Intranet site at:

http://www.wicknet.org/history/

Students are expected to have a copy of the software Acrobat Reader on their computers which will enable them to download/print the readings.  It is recommended readings be printed at school in order to take advantage of quicker print times.  The teacher is not responsible for the printing of handouts!

 

GRADING/EXPECTATIONS

  

The quarter grade will be based on the average of the following:

  • Tests & Major Writing Assignments/Projects      65%

  • HW Quizzes and Minor Written Exercises           15%

  • Class Participation (quality not just quantity!)       20%

Students are expected to come to class with all reading completed.  Pop quizzes are used to help the students in this regard.  Reading notes are highly recommended and can be used on ALL pop quizzes but make sure those notes are separate from the actual readings/handouts.  Students should keep a binder or large folder for all papers and readings and a separate notebook to take reading and/or in-class notes. (I like the old black & white composition style).  All late assignments will be penalized five points for each day overdue. 

It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed due to an absence, including tests and book and film-related essays.  Other issues of academic integrity are covered in the department’s Guidelines Regarding Academic Integrity, which are posted on the department’s web site.

If a student needs extra help, he/she should stay after class to plan out a convenient time for both student and teacher. Students should feel free to call me at home (531-5385) until 9 p.m. any night.

 

An email to John_Booth@brunswickschool.org may also work from around 9pm-12am.