Rethinking the 1960s

HIST 407/507
Spring 2007
Tuesday, 2:00 - 4:50
221 Friendly Hall

Professor Ellen Herman
Department of History
University of Oregon

office: 321 McKenzie Hall
phone: 346-3118
e-mail: eherman@uoregon.edu
office hours: Tuesdays, 1-1:45; Thursdays, 10-11:30

Brief Description

This seminar will be a place to think, talk, and write about the 1960s and about how the historical picture of the 1960s has been challenged and changed by recent scholarship. Interpretations of the 1960s by scholars and observers have shifted dramatically in recent years, but the consensus remains that the 1960s were a critical watershed in modern U.S. history. Why?

Students will do a small amount of common reading at the beginning of the course. The primary purpose of this course, however, is for students to engage in a substantial independent research project, based in primary sources, resulting in a paper of 20-25 pages. Students can expect to devote a lot of time to defining, executing, and discussing this work with other participants in the seminar. Written research proposals will be shared with everyone in the course in order to generate constructive suggestions, questions, and ideas for revision and refinement. Research presentations will be made by every student toward the end of the term.

For the purpose of both reading and research, the “1960s” will be defined broadly rather than in narrow or mechanical, decade-like terms. It is acceptable not only for student projects to examine people, themes, and developments located in the 1960s proper, but to explore their roots in the years prior to 1960 and come to terms with their consequences in the years since 1970.

Writing Requirements

Each student in this course is expected to produce a 20-25-page (double-spaced) research paper, based on primary sources. The final paper is due on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at noon in 321 McKenzie Hall. A one-paragraph statement of the research project will be due during week 2. A three-page research prospectus will be due during week 4. For additional details, see the course calendar.

Reading Requirements

David Farber and Beth Bailey, The Columbia Guide to America in the 1960s (New York: Columbia University Press, 2001).

Peter B. Levy, ed., America in the Sixties--Right, Left, and Center (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998).

Rules

Because this is a research-oriented course, grades will depend very heavily on the quality of your final paper. But everything will be taken into account: level of preparation for and participation in weekly discussions, verbal presentations of research projects, and critiques of one another’s research agendas.

Academic Honesty
If this course is to be a worthwhile educational experience, your work must be original. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are very serious infractions and will not be permitted. Students who are uncertain about what plagiarism is, or who have questions about how to cite published, electronic, or other sources should feel free to consult with the instructor. You may also find my brief guide a helpful place to begin.

Lateness Policy
No late papers will be accepted.

Accommodations
If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please arrange to see me soon and request that Disability Services send a letter verifying your disability.

Grades

This is a research-oriented course, so grades depend very heavily on the quality of the final paper. But everything will be taken into account: level of preparation for and participation in weekly discussions, verbal presentations of research projects, and critiques of one another’s research agendas.