Course overview
This course will examine the 1960s in the West as a time of social, political and cultural change. It will encompass both 'high' and 'low' cultural forms in an attempt to expose students to some of the prevailing preoccupations of the decade. Topics will be taken from some or all of the following: fiction, poetry, film, popular music and political writings. In addition to specific texts, social and political movements will be discussed. Students will gain an historical overview of significant cultural moments and political movements from the decade through the lens of cultural studies and historical and literary methodologies. They will gain a working understanding of these methodologies.
Course learning outcomes
- Specialised knowledge of sixties cultural history and important literary, filmic and music texts
- knowledge of the major issues and debates taking place in Sixties Studies
- the skills and discipline to research, synthesise, organize and present information, using a range of technologies as appropriate
- the ability to communicate ideas effectively and accurately, in both oral and written forms and to argue from evidence
- the ability to set appropriate goals and to work independently
- the ability to set appropriate goals and work cooperatively with peers
- the capacity to analyse structural and intercultural power relations and be ethically informed by them