AMERICA AT WAR IN THE AGE OF ROCK AND ROLL A CLUSTER COURSE

(ENGLISH 104: WAR LITERATURE AND FILM) (POLITICAL SCIENCE 215: THE POLITICS OF ROCK AND ROLL)

Fall 2013 T TH 11:00-12:30 2:00-3:30

PLH Dr. Richard L. Sprow (Eng.) Dr. James C. Rhoads (PS) Office: Thompson-Clark 406 (x 7346) Office: PH 303 (x 7255) Hours: MWF 9:30-11:00 MW 2-3 Hours: MWF 1:00-1:50 and by appt. and by appt.

This cluster examines the sociopolitical culture of the post-World War II era in America through film, literature, and music. Attention will be given in class, through literature and film, to the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the late 20th century. Additionally, we will explore the relationship between one of the most powerful cultural forces of the 20th century—Rock & Roll music—and the political realm. In short, the aim of the cluster is to analyze critically the connections between the expressions of popular culture and the larger social and political environment of the last fifty years.

By the end of the semester, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

1. The historical development of Rock and Roll music; 2. The social, cultural, and political impact of music on the events of the Vietnam War Era; 3. The role of war films as historical and cultural documents; 4. The causes and impact of the Vietnam War on America.

Our cluster, as you will see in the Syllabus Outline, is designed to integrate as fully as possible all elements of the two courses for which you are officially registered. Therefore, although you will receive a grade for each course at the end of the semester, it is not possible to differentiate between the courses as the semester unfolds. All activities- -readings, viewings of videos and films, discussions, project--are to be seen as connective. Your final evaluation will be based on your performance in the cluster as a whole.

Please read carefully the various descriptions of assignments and general outline of the course. We reserve the right to make changes as the semester progresses, but unless we do change, consider all the due dates and stipulations to be as stated in the syllabus. Please ask any questions at any time and take advantage of our office hours to talk with either or both of us as you need to. Good luck—and have fun!

TEXTS: All students should have the following; follow reading dates as listed in the Syllabus outline: Szatmary, David. Rockin’ in Time: A Social History of Rock and Roll Anderson, Terry The Sixties (4rd ed) O’Brien, Tim The Things They Carried Caputo, Philip A Rumor of War

ASSIGNMENTS: The course is organized so that through a series of readings, presentations, and video and audio “experiences,” students will get a sense of the events and people who have shaped American culture during the past fifty years. The SYLLABUS OUTLINE indicates reading assignments and major film or video presentations. Plan to have read the assignment by the day indicated. Possible additions to the readings, if any, will be made in class. In addition, we have indicated dates for quizzes/tests, and will give final project material information and due dates later. NOTE: Because of the nature of the material, this course has a significant AUDIO/VISUAL component. Please show appropriate courtesy during the film and documentary viewings especially (i.e., cell phones OFF, no texting, no talking, no arbitrary leaving the classroom, etc.)

EVALUATION: The following elements will constitute your final grade for the course:

1. FIVE “Checkups” (aka “quizzes”) (450 points): There will be FOUR “Checkup” Exercises worth 100 points each. Each check-up will include one essay question to be written outside of class and turned in on the day of the checkup. You will be given the question about one week before the checkup. Further instructions will be given throughout the semester. These essays are designed to measure your synthesis of ideas in the cluster. The FIFTH checkup will be worth 50 points and be given on the last class period of the semester. There will be no essay question.( See Syllabus Outline for dates[indicated by an *) Each exercise will test your knowledge of information covered in the readings and experienced through audio-visual presentations. These “checkups” CANNOT be made up if missed.

2. Small Group Presentation/Final Project (100 points): Students will prepare, in small groups, topics related to the themes of the course to be presented to the class during the TWO FINAL EXAM periods (see Syllabus Outline for times). A more detailed description of this project accompanies the syllabus. Essentially each group must focus on subjects occurring AFTER the time-span of the course (i.e., post-1980). These will be oral presentations accompanied by outlines, bibliographies and other appropriate information relevant to the topic. Please see syllabus outline for specific deadlines (group formations and topic approval).

3. Attendance (50 points): Students are expected to attend all class meetings. In addition, class participation is essential to the spirit of the course. Students will sign a sheet for EACH Class period (i.e., one for the 11:00 class and one for the 2:00 class EVERY T and TH), starting the 2nd full week of classes. Each class counts for 1 point, for a maximum of 50 points. Since there will be 52 possible classes, you may miss TWO class periods without penalty. PLEASE INFORM THE INSTRUCTORS OF ANY MAJOR HEALTH OR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCE (including sanctioned college activities) THAT MIGHT QUALIFY FOR AN EXCUSE FROM CLASS.

4. The TRIVIA CHALLENGE, held on Nov. 26 will be a chance to earn bonus points. More information will be provided later.

GRADING: All assignments will be graded numerically, using the following standard scale: A (93-100); A- (90-92); B+(87-89); B (83-86); B-(80-82); C+(77- 79); C(73-76);C-(70-72); D+(67-69); D(63-66); D-(60-62); F(0-59).

THERE IS A UNIQUE FINAL GRADING SYSTEM FOR THE CLUSTER. The explanation is attached to the syllabus.

Academic Integrity:

Central to the purpose and pursuit of any academic community is academic integrity. Al1 members of the Westminster community are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity, in keeping with the philosophy and purposes of the College.

Academic dishonesty is a profound violation of this expected code of behavior. It can take several forms, including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, purposely altering the work of another (without that person's permission), misrepresentation of attendance in class or at College events, misrepresentation of work, facts or experimental results, unauthorized use of or intentional intrusion into anther's computer files and/or programs, intentional damage to a computer system, unauthorized use of library materials and privileges, or engaging in any activity which attempts to alter or harm another's academic standing.

The college has adopted a new comprehensive policy on academic integrity. You should read this policy in its entirety. You will find it printed in the College Catalog, in the back of your Inquiry reader, and on line. These policies will be enforced in this class. In addition, the college has now adopted Turnitin.com as an electronic way to assess the originality of student writing. This website may be used in the class for one or more of your writing assignments.

America at War in the Age of Rock & Roll

Syllabus Outline Fall 2013 (Subject to Change)

Books/Readings Films/Topics [includes BOTH periods]

Aug. 27(T) Intro. To Course Rock and Roll Explodes Szatmary: Preface & ch.1 The Cold War The Sixties: Introduction

29(TH) Szatmary: ch. 2 Elvis/Intro. To Vietnam

Sept. 3(T) Film: TBA

5(TH) Intro. To War Films Film TBA Vietnam(cont’d)

10(T) Szatmary: ch. 3 & 4 Ricky Nelson and TV The Sixties: ch. 1 Who Killed JFK?

12(TH)* QUIZ #1 Vietnam: Gulf of Tonkin The Sixties: ch. 2

17(T) Szatmary: ch.5 & 6 Bob Dylan/Motown

19(TH) Rumor Of War: Prologue We Were Soldiers

24(T) Rumor of War: Part I The Deer Hunter: Part I

26(TH) Rumor of War: Part II The Deer Hunter: Part II

Oct. 1(T)* QUIZ #2 The British Invasion Szatmary: ch. 7 & 8

3(TH) Rumor of War: Part III/P.S The British Invasion(contd)

Books/Readings Films/Topics [includes BOTH periods]

Oct. 8(T) Rumor of War: Discussion Good Morning, Vietnam

10(TH) Szatmary: ch. 9 & 10 Vietnam:US in charge Monterey Counterculture

15(T) The Sixties: ch. 3 Path to War

17(TH) O’Brien: 1-66 Platoon [Final Groups Due]

22(T)* QUIZ #3 Soul Music Szatmary: ch. 11

] 24(TH) O’Brien: 67-88 1968 The Sixties: ch. 4 Moon Landing

M I D B R E A K [Oct. 26-28]

31(TH) The Sixties: ch. 5 Bobby O’Brien: 89-116

Nov. 5(T) Szatmary: ch. 12 Woodstock The Sixties: ch. 6

7(TH) O’Brien: 117-161 Kent State Heavy Metal Glitter Rock Vietnamization

12(T) O’Brien: 162-188 Born on the 4th of July

14(TH)* QUIZ #4 Watergate Books/Readings Films/Topics [includes BOTH periods]

19(T) The Sixties: ch. 7 Apocalypse Now

21(TH) O’Brien: 189-246 End of the Tunnel:Vietnam Szatmary: ch. 14 Disco and Punk

26(T) T R I V I A C H A L L E N G E [ Final Project Topics Due]

[T H A N K S G I V I N G B R E A K] Nov. 27-Dec. 1

Dec. 3(T) The Sixties: Legacies Michael Jackson Szatmary: ch 15 Legacy of Vietnam

5(TH) *QUIZ #5 [during 2nd period] Springsteen Szatmary: ch. 16 & 17 Political Activism

FINALS PERIODS:

Dec. 10(T) [2:00-3:30 class]: 8:00-10:30

READING DAY: Dec. 11(W)

Dec. 13 (TH) [11:00-12:30 class]: 11:30-2:00