History 16-863
"1968" in Global Perspective
Fall 1998 W 2:30-5:00
Dr. Elizabeth L.B. Peifer


Office Hours:
Phone: Email: peifere@southwestern.edu

I. Course Description
II. Statement of Purpose of the History Research Seminar
III. Grading
IV. Class Schedule
V. Related Links


Course Description
This course will focus on the problems historians face in dealing with the events of 1968, the 1960s, and more generally the history of the recent past. This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of 1968, placing it well beyond the experience of students today, and yet still alive in the memories of their professors. When do events become history? What are the problems historians face in researching the recent past, and why is it important for historians to engage in such projects? How does the historical perspective differ from others? What meaning does "1968" have for us today? What is its historical significance? How does it differ from other watershed years in the historical record, for example 1989, 1945, 1918, 1848, 1789 or others? Why has "1968" become the catchword for broader developments and trends in the 1960s and 1970s? For example, why do we use the term "68ers" but not 67-er or 69ers? The course will attempt to examine political, social and cultural change in 1968 in multiple parts of the world: The United States, Western Europe, China, Czechoslovakia and Mexico. To what extent were these connected? Throughout the course, students will be asked to grapple with these questions, dealing with the politics, polemics, and generational prejudices of frontline historical inquiry.

Coursework will consist of a set of common readings and film viewings which will be discussed in class, oral class presentations on the reading and on independent projects, peer editing, and the writing of a substantial research paper.



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Purpose of the Research Seminar
As the second part of the History major capstone, the main purpose of the Research Seminar is to allow students to study a topic in depth and then to demonstrate mastery of the methods used in critical inquiry and explanation through the writing of a substantial research paper.

A second purpose is to train students in the kind of collaborative work typical of graduate seminars, law school study groups, project-centered work in all professions, and it is hoped in the third part of the History capstone, the History oral final!


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GRADING
Grades will be determined based on the following basis:

Course Expectations
Everyone is expected to do all the readings for each seminar meeting and to attend all class sessions accoring to the schedule below.
For each class meeting, students should bring a 2-3 page analysis of the contribution of the reading to our understanding of "1968" and the problems it poses for historians of the recent past. The analysis should be turned in at the beginning of each class. Students will receive an F for each paper not turned in at the beginning of class.
For each class session, at least two students will make brief, interesting class presentations over some aspect of the week's readings. Those students doing the weekly presentations should turn in notes/outlines at the end of class.
The paper writing process will be evaluated in four stages, and late work at any stage will result in the paper grade being lowered 3 points for each school day late.

Students must complete all of the written assignments in a timely manner in order to pass the course.


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Readings and Schedule of Classes
Common Readings




Aug. 26 Constructing "1968"/ TET
Sept. 2 The United States

Sept. 9 Western Europe

Sept. 16 Counter-Culture and the Sexual Revolution
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE



Sept. 23 China and the Cultural Revolution


Sept. 30 Prague and Mexico City


Oct. 7 Chicago and Beyond
 PROSPECTUS DUE

Oct. 14 Discussion/Critique of Prospectus

Oct. 21 Film: Weekend

Oct. 28 Film: I Shot Andy Warhol

Nov. 4 Film: Easy Rider
Nov. 11 Peer Editing

Nov. 18 Complete Revised Draft Due

Dec. 1 Final Drafts Due

Dec. 2 Conclusions and Discussion of Findings



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RELATED LINKS


Vietnam War
Civil Rights Movement
 Student Movement Counter-Culture

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