Master Syllabus
U.S. History 2341
The Sixties

The purpose of the History Department is threefold. First we provide excellent instruction in the discipline of history. Second, we provide each student with six semester hours of U.S. History instruction to meet the requirements of the Texas Education Code (51.303). Third, we provide history majors with fifteen semester hours of history instruction to prepare them to successfully pursue a bachelor’s or higher degree in history at a four-year college or university.

Course Rationale: This course provides students with the means of intensively and extensively studying the period known as “The Sixties – a crucial-period in twentieth century American history. It also provides interested students with the ability to fulfill the legislative requirement in U.S. History with an alternative to the survey courses and provides an elective for History majors and other transfer curriculum students.

Course Description: A survey of the political, social, economic, and cultural factors found in the period covered by the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon presidencies. To make sense of such a concentrated view of history, the class will concentrate on four distinct but interrelated periods: 1945-1960, 1960-1964, 1964-1968, 1968-1980.

The subtitle of this course is An Interpretive History of Life in America in “the Sixties.” The name was chosen for a reason. Despite having a reputation of being nothing more than a mess of names, dates, and places, history is, first and foremost, about people and how they lived their lives. It is about the factors that shaped their existence and the choices they made. Any attempt to write about the past, however, is fraught with danger, because a serious question always looms: how do we know that what we are writing is correct? The obvious answer is, we do not, and cannot, always know the correct answer. But we generally can make good guesses, often very perceptive ones. Consequently, history reflects one’s interpretation of the past. Whether you are a professional historian or not, each individual makes her or his own choice about what in history is important to her or him. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a useful framework from which to interpret some of the important themes on life in America ‘s past during “the Sixties.”

Required Reading: The assigned readings for this course are: Mark Hamilton Lytle, America’s Uncivil Wars (NY: Oxford University Press, 2006); ISBN 9780195174977;
George Herring, America’s Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975, 4th ed. (NY: McGraw Hill, 2006); ISBN 978-0-07-253618-8
Susan Douglass, Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media (NY: Three Rivers Press, 1995); ISBN 0-8129-2530-0
Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi (NY: Laurel, 1992). [1964]. ISBN 0-440-31488-7

Most class meetings will have a reading assignment. See the course schedule for the reading assignments. It is essential to complete the assigned reading prior to each class. The reading is designed to provide you with the background necessary to understand the lectures. Lectures will build on the material in the course reading and NOT merely repeat the same information.

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes: upon completion of the A.A. degree in History students will be able to:
1. Use critical thinking in the analysis of historical facts
2. Demonstrate civic awareness in the appraisal of historical contexts
3. Demonstrate cultural awareness in the assessment of historical situations

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes: upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Use critical thinking in the analysis of historical facts
2. Demonstrate civic awareness in the appraisal of historical contexts
3. Demonstrate cultural awareness in the assessment of historical situations

Common Course Objectives: After completing History 2341 “The Sixties” students should be able to:
1. Trace the evolution of “containment” as the basis of US foreign policy.

2. Explain the significance of the American Way of Life.

3. Describe changing gender roles in the 1950s.

4. Explain the impact of TV, advertising, and music on popular culture.

5. Analyze the impact of the Brown decision on civil rights.

6. Describe the election of 1960, the role of TV, religion, and civil rights.

7. Explain Kennedy’s reluctance to participate in the struggle for Black freedom.

8. Compare the foreign policy of Eisenhower and Kennedy.

9. Explain Soviet policy toward Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs and the Vienna Summit.

10. Analyze and describe the Cuban Missile Crisis and its aftermath.

11. Compare the new approach to civil rights led by students.

12. Describe the Kennedy Assassination and the transition to Johnson.

13. Evaluate Kennedy and Johnson’s use of the media.

14. Compare Kennedy and Johnson’s approach and policy on Vietnam .

15. Describe and analyze Johnson’s “Great Society.”

16. Describe Johnson’s approach to Civil Rights.

17. Explain the growing divisions within the Movement and the counterculture.

18. Analyze the global significance of 1968 & the impact of events in the United States

19. Describe Richard Nixon’s policy of détente with the Soviet Union and China .

20. Compare Nixon’s Vietnam policy and its relationship to Johnson’s.

21. Analyze Nixon’s use of the media on Vietnam and in his “Southern Strategy.”

22. Describe the impact of “Watergate.”

23. Describe and analyze the growth of sexual revolution.

24. Describe the impact of movies, drugs, and music on folkways, mores, and culture.

25. Explain the Elec. of 1980 as part of the “Conservative Counterattack.”

The above constitutes only a partial list of areas covered and skills enhanced. See the Course Outline and Exam Review for more detailed course objectives.

Course Policies: Policies on attendance, withdrawals, incompletes, student discipline, and academic freedom vary by instructor. However, the entire department adheres to the following statements on scholastic dishonesty and students with disabilities.

Attendance/Class Participation:
Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Withdrawal Policy:
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should s/he decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should s/he feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw s/he should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. Students are also strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

College & State Withdrawal Policies:
Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities without penalty. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count toward this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes:
An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student is unable to complete all the requirements for the course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty:
A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Student Rights and Responsibilities:
Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Statement on Students with Disabilities:
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.
Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.
Additional information about OSD is available at Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Safety Statement:
Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and to agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Use of ACC email:
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail .

Please note that students are expected to conduct themselves professionally, with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s class activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Testing Center Policy:
Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To request an exam, one must have:

• ACC Photo ID
• Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)
• Course Number (e.g.,1301)
• Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)
• Course Section (e.g., 005)
• Instructor’s Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Student and Instructional Services
ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/s4/
Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/
ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:
Learning Lab Services
For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.”

“Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

Building Regulations
ACC regulations prohibit smoking, drinking, and eating in classrooms.
Student’s Classroom Responsibilities
The purpose of this course is to acquaint you with the history of America from Reconstruction following the Civil War to the end of the cold war. You will be responsible for learning a considerable amount of information in a short period of time. You must demonstrate on your exams that you can analyze what you have learned. I will do my best to give you every opportunity to learn. In return, I ask that you give yourself the opportunity to do the same.

Consequently, I ask that students conduct themselves in the following manner:

Bring an open mind; listen to the instructor and, especially, your classmates; and think critically about everything that is discussed in class. The free exchange of information and ideas is vital to the pursuit of learning.

Copyright
The instructor reserves the right to all lecture materials, handouts, and interpretations presented in class, and any said materials may not be reproduced in any form without the express, written consent of the instructor.