[Brief Description] [Required Reading] [Assignments] [Class Schedule]
Section No. 0340
TR 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Ballantine Hall 233
Instructor: Scott Walter
Office: Ballantine Hall 520
Office Hours: TR 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Office Phone: 855-7718
e-mail: slwalter@indiana.edu
Throughout the twentieth century, American adults have been frightened by the actions of their own young. From the sexually liberated 'flappers' of the 1920s to the chronically disaffected 'slackers' of the 1990s, America has been obsessed with the problem of 'youth rebellion.'
This course examines key episodes in the history of twentieth-century
youth culture and adult reactions to that culture (esp. to the degree
that youth culture was perceived as dangerous and rebellious). Our
sources will include historical documents and studies, autobiography,
fiction, television, music and film. Beginning with a general
discussion of what it means to be 'young' in America, we will progress
to a study of key historical episodes, of 'rebel icons' like James Dean,
and of how 'adult' responses to youth culture and youth rebellion become
embodied in social institutions such as the family and the public
school.
Click here to try an Introductory Quiz.
William Graebner, Coming of Age in Buffalo (1990)
Terry Anderson, The Movement and the Sixties (1995)
Douglas Coupland, Generation X (1991)
In addition, a Course Packet will be available for purchase at Mr. Copy (located at 10th and Dunn Streets). These readings are noted on the Class Schedule as '(CP)'.
A series of supplemental readings required for this course is available at the Main Library. Copies of required texts are also on reserve. Reserve readings are noted on the Class Schedule as being "(on reserve)". Additional readings may be placed on reserve as the course progresses.
Click here to go to the I.U. Library's Reserve Catalog.
A series of films will be viewed in conjunction with this class. Because of scheduling constraints, these films must be viewed outside of regular class time. Attendance at class showings of these films is strongly recommended, as each film will be prefaced by me and briefly discussed by the class immediately after viewing. If you absolutely cannot attend a class showing of a film, you should view it privately before the next class meeting. All films are available at the Media Reserve Desk in the Main Library.
All films will be shown at 7:15 p.m. in Ballantine Hall 003.
Click here to search the Internet Movie Database for detailed information on each film.
Click here for class-related viewing tips.
In addition to regular class attendance and active participation in classroom discussions and activities, you will be required to complete a set of assignments based on our study of the cultural history of American youth. These assignments and their weight in determining your final grade for this course are as follows:
Personal Journal (25%)--you will keep a personal journal of your reactions to our readings, lectures, etc. This on-going assignment will allow you to react individually to our common experiences and to write in a looser style than will be expected in other assignments. It will allow your instructor to evaluate each individual's level of engagement with our readings and our class. Also, writing in your journal will give you a basis for participation in class discussions. Journal entries will be collected bi-weekly for review by your instructor.
Group Presentation (25%)--everyone will be expected to take part in a group presentation project in the latter part of the semester. Group members will make a presentation on their topic to the class and each member will write a brief (2-3 pp.) paper on the presentation topic. Group projects will focus on some aspect of youth rebellion in the 1960s (e.g., the Civil Rights Movement, the New Left, the Counterculture, the underground press).
Research Paper (30%)--you will be expected to complete one longer (10-12 pp.) research paper as your final assignment in this class. Papers may address any topic covered in the course, or may introduce new topics that can be closely related to ideas, issues, or historical themes raised during the semester. Your research will be expected to encompass both primary and secondary sources. A paper proposal will be collected in class early in the semester.
*Click on the individual assignment (above) to jump directly to a separate assignment sheet describing the basic requirements for each of these projects.
Time will be set aside in class periodically throughout the semester for you to discuss your ongoing work on each of these assignments with your classmates and your instructor.
In addition to these assignments, your Class Participation will be evaluated by your instructor and will be factored into your grade for the course.
Class Participation will be worth the remaining (20%) of your final grade.
As noted above, regular attendance is expected in this course. While you are not required to attend, and while your instructor realizes that circumstances may conspire to thwart your good intentions in this regard, one cannot 'make up' missed classroom activities and discussions. Attendance will be taken regularly and repeated absences will affect your final grade for the course. In addition to being reflected in your 'participation' grade, you will not receive a grade higher than a 'B' in this course should you miss more than seven (7) of our regularly scheduled class meetings (regardless of your grades on other assignments).
Due Dates to Remember:
All work for this course must be submitted to me by May 7th, 1997
| Topics | Readings | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 14th | Introduction | none | none |
| January 16th | Studying Youth Rebellion: Themes | click | click |
| January 21st | Youth in American Culture | click | click |
| January 23rd | Youth Culture & the Media | click | click |
| January 28th | FILM NIGHT I: Cry-Baby | ||
| January 30th | Youth Culture in Popular Culture | click | click |
| February 4th | Wayward Girls: Sex Delinquency as Youth Rebellion | click | click |
| February 6th | Flappers: Bohemianism as Youth Rebellion | click | click |
| February 12th | FILM NIGHT II: Our Dancing Daughters | ||
| February 13th | High Schools and Youth Culture | click | click |
| February 18th | Reefer Madness (in-class film) | click | click |
| February 20th | 'Cafeteria Commies': Politics as Youth Rebellion | click | click |
| February 25th | FILM NIGHT III: Zoot Suit | ||
| February 27th | The Zoot Suit Riots | click | click |
| March 4th | The Juvenile Delinquent and the 1950s | click | click |
| March 6th | FILM NIGHT IV: Rebel Without a Cause | ||
| March 11th | The Family and Delinquency | click | click |
| March 13th | Rebel Chic: Youth Culture & Consumer Culture | click | click |
| March 18th-March 20th | SPRING BREAK (NO CLASSES) | ||
| March 25th | The Beat Generation | click | click |
| March 27th | The Civil Rights Movement | click | click |
| April 1st | FILM NIGHT V: Baby, It's You | ||
| April 3rd | The New Left | click | click |
| April 8th | 'Breaking Boundaries, Testing Limits' (video) | none | click |
| April 10th | The Counterculture | click | click |
| April 16th | FILM NIGHT VI: Billy Jack | ||
| April 17th | Ethnic Renewal as Youth Rebellion | click | click |
| April 22nd | Radical Feminism | click | click |
| April 24th | Youth Liberation | click | click |
| April 30th | FILM NIGHT VII: Slacker | ||
| May 1st | Generation X | click | click |
special thanks to the
Louise Brooks Society for the images used on this page
Return to American Studies Program Home Page
Last update: 5 November 1997
URL: http://php.indiana.edu/~slwalter/courses/A201/syllabus.html
Indiana University, Bloomington
Comments: slwalter@indiana.edu