HIST 517: The Seventies

John Travolta striking a pose on a disco floor with his iconic disco suit.

Instructor: Jonathan Hagel

Day & Time:
Tuesday/Thursday
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Category Fulfillment: I

The Seventies
 

Looking back on the 1970s from just across its finish line, one contemporary observer famously remarked that, after the tumult of the 1960s, “it seemed like nothing happened.” But, from the vantage point of nearly 50 years, we can now see that Americans who lived through the 1970s witnessed more than their fair share of historical turbulence—maybe even as much as we are living through now.

 In this course, we will try to ride it out through the turbulence of Watergate, oil shocks and nuclear accidents, the end of the Vietnam War, terrorist bombings and hijackings, the largest labor strike wave in US history, and something called “stagflation.” But at least we will have some of the best movies, music, and television Americans have ever made to keep us going.

Class is capped at 30. Class-time dedicated to discussion of prepared readings, watchings, and listenings. Students will also engage in an independent research project.

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Catalog Description:

  • Americans who lived through the 1970s witnessed more than their fair share of historically significant events. The President resigned in disgrace. America ran out of gas and got run out of Vietnam.

  • New York City went bankrupt, blacked out, and caught on fire. Women rebelled and gay Americans stormed out of the closet. Racial integration died and Black Power went mainstream.

  • The Beatles broke up, Muhammad Ali ruled the world (again), Lucas and Spielberg birthed the blockbuster, and disco, rap and punk put the smack down on Rock ’n’ Roll.

  • Everywhere you look in the 1970s, you can find evidence of the end of one period of American history—the postwar period—and the beginning of a new historical epoch—the Age of Reagan, the Neoliberal Age, or, perhaps, Postmodern America.

  • Students will explore this pivotal decade in American history through weekly readings, watchings, and listenings; twice-weekly class discussions of prepared material; and an independent research project.