Beyond Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll: Topics in Researching the Sixties Dr. Caitlin Casey

The decade’s stereotypes

Goals for the semester Read critically and analytically Understand the process of crafting a research question and thesis statement Write fluently and clearly Comfortably research across mediums Engage with a scholarly text and be able to identify its strengths and weaknesses Understand the historical narrative of the era

Requirements Active participation. Showing up does not count. Weekly discussion questions sent to me at by NOON on the day of class Week 3: 3-4 page close reading on a primary document Week 4: A general one paragraph topic proposal for your final paper, including possible source materials and problems that you foresee Week 6: Annotated bibliography of 2 primary sources and 6 secondary Week 8: Formal prospectus Week 9: Small Group meetings to discuss other student work Week 12: Thesis statement Week 14/15: Paper presentations Week 16 Final Papers DUE

Expectations and Grading Attendance is mandatory. Missed classes = short writing assignments Respect your classmates Participation, including presentation, discussion questions and feedback on other’s proposals: 20% Bibliography: 5% Short close reading paper: 10% Prospectus: 15% Final paper: 50% – Process vs. final product

PLAGIARISM – IN ANY FORM ON ANY ASSIGNMENT – WILL RESULT IN YOUR IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM THE CLASS AND A FAILING COURSE GRADE. See the ALM guidebook for more examples and please talk to me if you are unsure about citing sources. ext_almg1.pdf

From the Plain Dealer, July 29, 2000

Questions to ask in a close reading assignment Who is the speaker/author/photographer? What is the intended goal? What kinds of language are they using? Any words that are repeated? What are they emphasizing? Who is their audience? What aren’t they saying? Did they know that this document would eventually be public? Why did they choose this form – i.e. letter, speech, film, table?

Remarks of Senator John F. Kennedy At 2:00 a.m. on October 14, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy addressed students on the steps of the University of Michigan Union. In his speech, he challenged the students to give two years of their lives to help people in countries of the developing world. The following is a transcript of that speech. "I want to express my thanks to you, as a graduate of the Michigan of the East, Harvard University. I come here tonight delighted to have the opportunity to say one or two words about this campaign that is coming into the last three weeks. I think in many ways it is the most important campaign since 1933, mostly because of the problems which press upon the United States, and the opportunities which will be presented to us in the 1960s. The opportunity must be seized, through the judgment of the President, and the vigor of the executive, and the cooperation of the Congress. Through these I think we can make the greatest possible difference. How many of you who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Technicians or engineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world? On your willingness to do that, not merely to serve one year or two years in the service, but on your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whether a free society can compete. I think it can! And I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effort must be far greater than we have ever made in the past. Therefore, I am delighted to come to Michigan, to this university, because unless we have those resources in this school, unless you comprehend the nature of what is being asked of you, this country can't possibly move through the next 10 years in a period of relative strength. So I come here tonight to go to bed! But I also come here tonight to ask you to join in the effort... This university...this is the longest short speech I've ever made...therefore, I'll finish it! Let me say in conclusion, this University is not maintained by its alumni, or by the state, merely to help its graduates have an economic advantage in the life struggle. There is certainly a greater purpose, and I'm sure you recognize it. Therefore, I do not apologize for asking for your support in this campaign. I come here tonight asking your support for this country over the next decade. Thank you." President John F. Kennedy October 14, 1960

Some things to think about as you write: Does your reading of this document change when you hear it? Compare and contrast the two modes of communication – which do you feel is more unmediated? The role of audience in a speech vs. the role of the “imagined” audience in a written text Trustworthiness of sources/translations/transcriptions