Thirsty for more? Hungry for history? Leave your feedback in the comments section.
1. What were your expectations about the class blog in August? Were those expectations met, exceeded, or unmet? Why?
2. What is the best thing about having a class blog? The worst? Why?
3. What was your favorite post and why?
4. What would you change about the blog? Why?
5. Additional thoughts?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
September 11, 2001 in History
Our tour through American history ends this year with September 11, 2001--specifically how the nation and the world remembers "that day." We thus focus on the concept of historical memory, in essence the act of remembering or recollection. I've constructed this concept via mathematics:
(t, p, c, c) individual remembrance + collective recollection = historical memory
[t=time, p=place, c=culture, c=context]
(t, p, c, c) individual remembrance + collective recollection = historical memory
[t=time, p=place, c=culture, c=context]
Even though the equation cannot account for all historical variables and the multiple contingencies of time and place, when we consider time, place, culture, context along with individual memories and collective recollection then we can begin to understand how and why societies remember events in certain ways. We identified various kinds of evidence for these memories: textual, visual, material, and oral.
This unit began with yours truly describing memories of 9/11--specifically the birth of my first child on that day. Then after reading the e-mail from a survivor who worked in 2WTC, we listened to some of the memories musicians offered as the remembered and/or commemorated 9/11, and we encountered the memories of children and 9/11. Movies also play a significant role in how 9/11 has been recollected, as does various kinds of art and architecture. And since each individual remembers events differently, with historical memory there are always counter memories, or alternative stories or counter narratives--mostly referred to as conspiracy theories. As such conspiracy theories have their own history and can serve as historical evidence to analyze.
Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" offered musical memories, and the Harvard educated Islamic hip-hop artist Abu Nurah defines jihad through rhymes and rhythms. Country musician Charlie Daniels interprets 9/11 with "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag," as does Toby Keith in "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue, and Alan Jackson's "Where Were You?" Christian singer Derek Webb responded to 9/11 and subsequent events with "My Enemies are Men Like Me," and Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu remembered it through "What I'm Fighting For." Although this is just a small musical sampling of memories among many, it reflects multiple points of view.
Countless movies provides visual dramatizations as well, and United 93 is an interesting film since it used both actors and professional pilots and fight attendants. Here's a helpful list of 9/11 in films, and other segments of popular culture. The list helps us to think further about the reach of historical memory and cultural commemoration.
Various on-line archives continue to document September 11, 2001 and provide countless resources, including images, audio, and art. See the September 11 Archive, the Library of Congress's collection, an archive devoted specifically to TV coverage, an archive that documents what it calls "prior knowledge," and another resource called "9/11 Truth." Other resources include an academic journal titled Journal of 9/11 Studies, as well as tons of books on the subject. Finally, the Journal of American History devoted a 2002 issue to teaching and 9/11, and published those articles as a book. I have also used legal historian Mary Dudziak's edited collection of essays on 9/11 in class.
Counter memories of many events persist, and conspiracy theory has a history all its own. A stock industry rose up, for example, offering alternative readings of the JFK assassination. Books continue to pour off the presses about this subject. The most notable and well-known counter stories about 9/11 come in an on-line documentary titled "Loose Change." Critics contest the film, and the filmmakers are adamant about evidence and interpretation. The theologian David Ray Griffin is probably the most prolific writer on the subject, with a book about his own investigation, a book about the 9/11 Commission Report, a book that addresses his critics, and an "open letter" to politicians and the media.
Two days of class presentation and discussion about this event hardly does justice to the enormity of the topic, but it does provide a way to think about something "familiar" with new eyes and hopefully in an entirely new way.
As I said way back in August, history is not simply just what happened in the past, but "facts" about which many people offer points of view.
How did our brief discussion--and your own perusal of the additional material I've provided--enhance, amend, revise, refine, challenge, and/or confirm your memories and understanding of 9/11?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cold War Conclusion(s)
As we make our way to the end of the Cold War, and move into the 1990s and beyond, there are a few things worth taking a look at.
If you just can't get enough of 1980s entertainment, and Cold War culture in general, here's a clip of the training scences from Rocky IV. And here's a fighting scene--conflict between the great superpowers that, pardon the pun, rings true on screen.
For more on the Cold War, here's a little something on the fall of the Berlin Wall from ABC, and Ronald Reagan's famous quip to "tear down this wall."
[Photo credit here.]
For more on the Cold War, here's a little something on the fall of the Berlin Wall from ABC, and Ronald Reagan's famous quip to "tear down this wall."
[Photo credit here.]
Friday, May 2, 2008
Believe it or Not: Faith in the Oval Office, Religion in/and American Politics
To enrich our discussion and the 1980s and the rise of the Religious Right, this post provides additional resources for investigating the intersection of faith and politics.
(Read more about this picture of George W. Bush here.)
The subject of countless books and studies, and various documentaries, the rise of the Religious Right and its life in contemporary politics, most notably emerging during the 1976 and 1980 Presidential elections, and significant factor in the 2000 and 2004 election, is an integral part of understanding contemporary America. And, of course, discussions and questions about religious faith have been a part of the 2008 presidential campaign.
The well known evangelist Billy Graham was the subject of some important studies that appeared last summer--all on the topic of religion and politics. The ABC documentary "Pastor to Power: Billy Graham and the Presidents," is a nice companion to the book by Time writers Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy titled The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House. Since last summer, another important book to appear is Randall Balmer's God in the White House. Here's a radio interview with Balmer about his book.
Back to Billy Graham, Balmer's documentary on Graham is a good one, and Rice University sociologist William Martin wrote one of the most important biographies on Graham.
Here's a trailer for a documentary on George W. Bush's religious faith, and at the end there's a clip of him speaking at Second Baptist Church in Houston in 1999. There's also a picture of Bush on the campaign at this SBC in Stephen Mansfield's The Faith of George W. Bush.
In addition to class discussion we will view clips of evangelical historian and Episcopal priest Randall Balmer's award-winning documentary on American religion titled Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory as well as the documentary The Jesus Factor (you can view the entire documentary on-line; this is a very helpful resource with tons of material for discussion). You may also want to check out Balmer's 2006 essay "Jesus is Not a Republican." And here's a group supporting Jesus for President (and here too). Evangelical activist and author Jim Wallis here answers the question, "Was Jesus a Politician?" Finally, sociologist and author Tony Campolo weights in with "Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat?"
The radio show Speaking of Faith also recently aired shows on evangelicals and politics. One is on the progressive evangelical Jim Wallis, the other on the conservative activists Rick and Kay Warren. Most recently, Speaking of Faith had a show on a generational dynamic in evangelical political action.
Offering a variety of perspectives, here's another show about evangelicals and politics, and a radio program as well, and a blog, The Evangelical Outpost.
[Photo credits here and here and here.]
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Going Down Memory Lane: Recollecting the 1980s
As part of our unit on contemporary America in the 1980s, I thought I would be fun to see what some of my friends and colleagues remember about the 1980s. A few weeks ago I circulated a questionairre and here are some of the answers I got. Compare and contrast these answers with what you found on the 1980s scavenger hunt.
I've also included pictures of yours truly in the 1980s, with captions at the bottom of the blogpost.
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Nathan Barber, writer, educator, school administrator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Top Gun, Breakfast Club, Highlander, Back to the Future, Labyrinth, Karate Kid, Rocky IV
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
U2, Hair Bands (especially Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Poison), .38 Special, Journey (all of which were played on my cassettes in my boom box)
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Jeans rolled up tight at the bottom of the legs, Denim jackets, Swatch watches, Air Jordans, RayBan aviator sunglasses
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reagan (“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall”), Iran/Contra Affair
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
I don’t know that I can
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Because I graduated from high school in 1989, the decade of the 1980s was the decade of my coming of age. Innumerable moments and memories from that time in my life are inextricably tied to particular songs, movies and cars from the 80s. Nearly every popular 80s song and movie evoke memories that are as clear today as they were in 1989.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Troy Karcher, educator, coach
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Goonies, Platoon, Amadeus, Raiders of the lost Ark, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi MY FAVORITE TRON!
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Van Halen, Bill Cosby…
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
The pant roll of the jeans, side pony tail, Polos collard flipped up….swatches I really liked Air Jordans where very popular
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
WHAT? Was I supposed to be paying attention??? Reagan helped shape the economics for the US
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
RADICAL (awesome), WHERE’S THE BEEF?(commercial) GAG me with a spoon (gross), Bite me! hahaha
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Computers were starting a new trend..no more type writers!!! And computer games ATARI!!! PONG!
CDs
Fall of the Berlin Wall
SPACE SHUTTLE TAKE OFFS were the highlights and the disaster
AIDS…
Can’t forget about Saturday cartoons…SMURFS!
RAP!
USA boycott of the 1980 Olympics
++++++++++++++++++++++
Felipe Hinojosa, educators, activist, scholar
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Top Gun, Electric Boogalo (break dancing flick), Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire (basically anything that was produced/directed by John Hughes).
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of
the 1980s?
Poison ("Every Rose has its Thorn"), Tears for Fears ("Everybody Wants to Rule the World"), The Cure (lots of their tunes), Def Leopard, and of course Michael Jackson. I was (am) a big Jackson fan
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which
trends did you most enjoy?
I remember "Break Dancing," (and those pants with all the zippers), El Copete (hairstyle that girls wore where they would style their bangs like a sky scraper), tapered jeans (we would role them up at our ankles nice and tight), long hair...
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I didn't follow politics all that much, but I will never forget the Iran-Contra affair (it was all over the news). I also remember the Central American refugees that our church provided shelter for. Since we lived near the church, I played lots of basketball with these folks. Of course, looking back I can't even imagine what they must have been feeling. I do remember that they were all very nice and some could play ball!
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
One word? "hair" and "heavy metal" and "MTV"
Why? Just look at the music videos from that time period and the crazy hairstyles, the spandex pants, and the electric guitar. MTV revolutionized the way we think about music and rock bands. We followed their fashions and listened to what they had to say. It brought pop culture into our homes and perhaps for the first time we all could sing "Jump" (with Van Halen's David Lee Roth) and everyone (from central Kansas to South Texas) could relate in sometimes strange ways.
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Go Kansas Jayhawks! The Jayhwaks won the national title in 1988 under the leadership of forward Danny Manning. We lived in Kansas while my dad was on sabbatical and I became a Jayhawk fan. My friends in South Texas remember (to this day) how I wore a jayhawk t-shirt M-F for school.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lauran Kerr, educator, activist, artist, scholar
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Haha I wasn't really allowed to watch TV so I missed out on the classics... In the '80s I watched Little Mermaid a lot. :)
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
rs of the 1980sNew Kids on the Block (although I wasn't really supposed to listen to them!) and various Christian artists
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s? The Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Ditto jeans, Levi 501’s and Afro Puffs
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reagan!!!! What else was there?
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
A decade of change. The effects of the civil rights movement could be seen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Ashlie Cook, educator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Adventures in Babysitting, Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, Uncle Buck, Coming to America, Goonies
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Journey, Heart, Pat Benatar, Van Halen, Def Leopard
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
French rolled jeans, scrunchy socks, side ponytails, loud colors, big hair/bangs, too many accessories. My hair was naturally big so that was easy! I loved the layered perfectly scrunched socks because I couldn’t get in on the French rolled jeans—they didn’t make long jeans back then and I was always tall, so my pants were already high waters so with the roll I just looked dorky with Capri-length pants (which were NOT in at the time). J
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I was a little young, but I remember big news of an actor becoming president
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
“fabulously tacky”. Everything was to the extreme and over the top, but that’s what makes it endearing now.
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Individualism was embraced and encouraged so the weird and awkward were not noticed as much.
++++++++++++++++++
Tammy Holder, educator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
2. 1984. Little league Braves, after an illustrious t-ball career. I think I remember sitting on the bench part of that year, but got more playing time after my rookie season.
3. 1981. I was the waterboy for the youth football league team my dad coached. That's really about as far as my football career went.
4. 1984. Here I am, on a cold night in front of the White House during the Cold War. If you look closely, you can see Ronald Reagan on the porch of the White House. My dad took me to Washington, D.C. for my 7th birthday. The highlight of the trip, as I remember it, was visiting the Air & Space Museum--I loved airplanes.
5. 1984. And speaking of the Cold War, here I am with my F-14 Tomcat toy airplane. It took many flights around the house, and in the front yard.
I've also included pictures of yours truly in the 1980s, with captions at the bottom of the blogpost.
+++++++
Nathan Barber, writer, educator, school administrator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Top Gun, Breakfast Club, Highlander, Back to the Future, Labyrinth, Karate Kid, Rocky IV
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
U2, Hair Bands (especially Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Poison), .38 Special, Journey (all of which were played on my cassettes in my boom box)
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Jeans rolled up tight at the bottom of the legs, Denim jackets, Swatch watches, Air Jordans, RayBan aviator sunglasses
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reagan (“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall”), Iran/Contra Affair
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
I don’t know that I can
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Because I graduated from high school in 1989, the decade of the 1980s was the decade of my coming of age. Innumerable moments and memories from that time in my life are inextricably tied to particular songs, movies and cars from the 80s. Nearly every popular 80s song and movie evoke memories that are as clear today as they were in 1989.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Troy Karcher, educator, coach
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Goonies, Platoon, Amadeus, Raiders of the lost Ark, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi MY FAVORITE TRON!
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Van Halen, Bill Cosby…
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
The pant roll of the jeans, side pony tail, Polos collard flipped up….swatches I really liked Air Jordans where very popular
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
WHAT? Was I supposed to be paying attention??? Reagan helped shape the economics for the US
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
RADICAL (awesome), WHERE’S THE BEEF?(commercial) GAG me with a spoon (gross), Bite me! hahaha
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Computers were starting a new trend..no more type writers!!! And computer games ATARI!!! PONG!
CDs
Fall of the Berlin Wall
SPACE SHUTTLE TAKE OFFS were the highlights and the disaster
AIDS…
Can’t forget about Saturday cartoons…SMURFS!
RAP!
USA boycott of the 1980 Olympics
++++++++++++++++++++++
Felipe Hinojosa, educators, activist, scholar
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Top Gun, Electric Boogalo (break dancing flick), Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire (basically anything that was produced/directed by John Hughes).
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of
the 1980s?
Poison ("Every Rose has its Thorn"), Tears for Fears ("Everybody Wants to Rule the World"), The Cure (lots of their tunes), Def Leopard, and of course Michael Jackson. I was (am) a big Jackson fan
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which
trends did you most enjoy?
I remember "Break Dancing," (and those pants with all the zippers), El Copete (hairstyle that girls wore where they would style their bangs like a sky scraper), tapered jeans (we would role them up at our ankles nice and tight), long hair...
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I didn't follow politics all that much, but I will never forget the Iran-Contra affair (it was all over the news). I also remember the Central American refugees that our church provided shelter for. Since we lived near the church, I played lots of basketball with these folks. Of course, looking back I can't even imagine what they must have been feeling. I do remember that they were all very nice and some could play ball!
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
One word? "hair" and "heavy metal" and "MTV"
Why? Just look at the music videos from that time period and the crazy hairstyles, the spandex pants, and the electric guitar. MTV revolutionized the way we think about music and rock bands. We followed their fashions and listened to what they had to say. It brought pop culture into our homes and perhaps for the first time we all could sing "Jump" (with Van Halen's David Lee Roth) and everyone (from central Kansas to South Texas) could relate in sometimes strange ways.
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Go Kansas Jayhawks! The Jayhwaks won the national title in 1988 under the leadership of forward Danny Manning. We lived in Kansas while my dad was on sabbatical and I became a Jayhawk fan. My friends in South Texas remember (to this day) how I wore a jayhawk t-shirt M-F for school.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lauran Kerr, educator, activist, artist, scholar
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Haha I wasn't really allowed to watch TV so I missed out on the classics... In the '80s I watched Little Mermaid a lot. :)
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
rs of the 1980sNew Kids on the Block (although I wasn't really supposed to listen to them!) and various Christian artists
< What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Side ponytails, big hair (even in Wyoming, where I grew up), bright colors, shoulder pads, big sweaters, stirrup pants
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I was born the day Reagan was elected, and my parents were very excited his presidency. My tiny northern town was pretty conservative, so everyone seemed to like Reagan. I was mostly interested in world politics, even at an early age, particularly the situation in the Middle East.
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
Material culture
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
When 80's fashion sort of made a come-back in the past 5 years or so, I think it was an attempt to recapture the utter excess of the decade. There may be no correlation, but as the war has carried on and tragedies like Katrina have occurred, fashion has become more sleek. The emphasis has turned from excess to conservation in our material culture, and now being "green" is trendy. The 80's represented a boom of security, and now that we feel insecure as a society, we're grasping to remember a simpler ethic. Just a thought.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Janell Luce, educator, entrepreneur
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Foot Loose, breakfast club, st elmos fire….Anything with the brat pack. Do you need to know who the brat pack was? The early Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies were also huge hits and great movies.
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Journey and Lionel Richie/ Earth Wind and fire…later 80s was the Brit invasion with the MTV techno sound
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
PREPPIE with a double pop! The Madonna/flashdance look was big, but if you were preppie, it wasn’t you.
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reaganomics and everything Reaganesque
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why? MTV…..started a whole new trend and change in media..videos, cell phones, computers and all of the new gadgets started with the beginning of MTV
Additional comments/thoughts/observations? Huge time of transitioning from a way of life with technology. The beginning of the 80s was one way and the 10 years later it was totally different with computers, the beginning of cell phones, and other techno gadgets. It was also the end of some really good music styles that transitioned into a lot of flash but no substance due to the techno influence.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toni LaZurs-White, educator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s? Return of the Jedi/Star Wars Trilogy
Side ponytails, big hair (even in Wyoming, where I grew up), bright colors, shoulder pads, big sweaters, stirrup pants
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I was born the day Reagan was elected, and my parents were very excited his presidency. My tiny northern town was pretty conservative, so everyone seemed to like Reagan. I was mostly interested in world politics, even at an early age, particularly the situation in the Middle East.
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
Material culture
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
When 80's fashion sort of made a come-back in the past 5 years or so, I think it was an attempt to recapture the utter excess of the decade. There may be no correlation, but as the war has carried on and tragedies like Katrina have occurred, fashion has become more sleek. The emphasis has turned from excess to conservation in our material culture, and now being "green" is trendy. The 80's represented a boom of security, and now that we feel insecure as a society, we're grasping to remember a simpler ethic. Just a thought.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Janell Luce, educator, entrepreneur
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Foot Loose, breakfast club, st elmos fire….Anything with the brat pack. Do you need to know who the brat pack was? The early Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies were also huge hits and great movies.
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Journey and Lionel Richie/ Earth Wind and fire…later 80s was the Brit invasion with the MTV techno sound
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
PREPPIE with a double pop! The Madonna/flashdance look was big, but if you were preppie, it wasn’t you.
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reaganomics and everything Reaganesque
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why? MTV…..started a whole new trend and change in media..videos, cell phones, computers and all of the new gadgets started with the beginning of MTV
Additional comments/thoughts/observations? Huge time of transitioning from a way of life with technology. The beginning of the 80s was one way and the 10 years later it was totally different with computers, the beginning of cell phones, and other techno gadgets. It was also the end of some really good music styles that transitioned into a lot of flash but no substance due to the techno influence.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toni LaZurs-White, educator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s? Return of the Jedi/Star Wars Trilogy
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s? The Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Ditto jeans, Levi 501’s and Afro Puffs
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Reagan!!!! What else was there?
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
A decade of change. The effects of the civil rights movement could be seen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Ashlie Cook, educator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Adventures in Babysitting, Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, Uncle Buck, Coming to America, Goonies
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Journey, Heart, Pat Benatar, Van Halen, Def Leopard
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
French rolled jeans, scrunchy socks, side ponytails, loud colors, big hair/bangs, too many accessories. My hair was naturally big so that was easy! I loved the layered perfectly scrunched socks because I couldn’t get in on the French rolled jeans—they didn’t make long jeans back then and I was always tall, so my pants were already high waters so with the roll I just looked dorky with Capri-length pants (which were NOT in at the time). J
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I was a little young, but I remember big news of an actor becoming president
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
“fabulously tacky”. Everything was to the extreme and over the top, but that’s what makes it endearing now.
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Individualism was embraced and encouraged so the weird and awkward were not noticed as much.
++++++++++++++++++
Tammy Holder, educator
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Top Gun, ET, Gremlins, Karate Kid, War Games, Breakfast Club, Beverly Hills Cop, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, all the Indiana Jones movies
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Huey Lewis & The News, Van Halen, Prince, Erasure, Depeche Mode, The Cars, Bon Jovi, Police, Michael Jackson, Duran Duran
What fashion trends do you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
What fashion trends do you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Parachute pants, Polo for men, Guess jeans, NEON EVERYTHING! Madonna wannabes with lace, rhinestones & Gummi bracelets, Jelly shoes, Swatch watches, Girbaud jeans, Units (remember those cotton outfits? Loved those!)
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
The Iran/Contra scandal of 1986, The Oliver North trial, a female making a bid for the White House— Geraldine Ferraro, The Cold War, Ronald Reagan highs, Tammy Faye & Jim Baker lows (not really politics, but who can forget the public mascara running!), Gary Hart and his “lover”, and what about “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!”
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
Positive - After two decades of turmoil during the 60's and 70's, for the first time there were positive changes and calm in both domestic politics and international relations
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Additional comments/thoughts/observations?
Black Monday in the stock market, Challenger Space Shuttle explosion - I still remember where I was. Electronics: Disc Cameras, Walkmen and boomboxes, and my parents got the first “car phone” that was literally installed into the car! Did anyone say VCRs vs. Betamax? The “New Coke” disaster, toy store riots for Cabbage Patch Kids, Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics.. Video Games were just coming out, cable TV was making its way into most homes. MTV actually played videos and had no TV shows, just VJ's who introduced the next video! Phones were all still attached to the walls and most literally had to still be "dialed" and we looked everything up in the LIBRARY J
++++++++++++++++++
Geoff Brooks, educator, scientist, coach, political scientist
++++++++++++++++++
Geoff Brooks, educator, scientist, coach, political scientist
1. What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Only the classics – Top Gun (first movie I saw in a theater), and the Dark Crystal (I think from the 80s)
Didn’t see the following until the 90s - Good Morning Vietnam, Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – I was a little kid in the 80s
2. What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Michael W Smith, DC Talk, Beach Boys
Secret likes – Bon Jovi, White Snake, U2, Billy Joel, Eagles, Poison, Gensis, Chicago, REO Speedwagon
Fan of the Power Ballads
Soundtracks to any Brat Pack movie
3. What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Sweatbands, Hightops, Girbeaud Jeans, Mozzimo, Long White Socks
4. What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I remember sitting with my Dad (Captain in the Army) watching the Iran Contra Hearings with Oliver North.
President Reagan’s Second Election and Inauguration,
Gorbachev’s trip to the New York
George HW Bush Inauguration
Tearing Down of the Berlin Wall (bridging 80s and 90s)
Tiananmen Square
Toppling of Stalin and Lenin Statues (Tanks in Moscow) and my Dad explaining to me what was going on
5. If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
I could go with “Tear down this wall” or maybe “Just say No” or “I was under orders” or “You Give Love a Bad Name” maybe “Trickle down economics” or “Reaganomics”
but I think I’ll go with
“Bueller, Bueller, Bueller, Bueller….”
+++++++++++
Phil Sinitiere, educator, author, scholar, baldguy
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Top Gun is by far my favorite movie of the 1980s. I've watched it probably 50 times over the years, and one of the highlights of my childhood was receiving an F-14 Tomcat "Top Gun" model for my birthday. I flew it around the house for what now seems like months. I have vivid memories of E.T., the 1980s Star Wars movies, and of course Indiana Jones.
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Only the classics – Top Gun (first movie I saw in a theater), and the Dark Crystal (I think from the 80s)
Didn’t see the following until the 90s - Good Morning Vietnam, Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – I was a little kid in the 80s
2. What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
Michael W Smith, DC Talk, Beach Boys
Secret likes – Bon Jovi, White Snake, U2, Billy Joel, Eagles, Poison, Gensis, Chicago, REO Speedwagon
Fan of the Power Ballads
Soundtracks to any Brat Pack movie
3. What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Sweatbands, Hightops, Girbeaud Jeans, Mozzimo, Long White Socks
4. What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
I remember sitting with my Dad (Captain in the Army) watching the Iran Contra Hearings with Oliver North.
President Reagan’s Second Election and Inauguration,
Gorbachev’s trip to the New York
George HW Bush Inauguration
Tearing Down of the Berlin Wall (bridging 80s and 90s)
Tiananmen Square
Toppling of Stalin and Lenin Statues (Tanks in Moscow) and my Dad explaining to me what was going on
5. If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
I could go with “Tear down this wall” or maybe “Just say No” or “I was under orders” or “You Give Love a Bad Name” maybe “Trickle down economics” or “Reaganomics”
but I think I’ll go with
“Bueller, Bueller, Bueller, Bueller….”
+++++++++++
Phil Sinitiere, educator, author, scholar, baldguy
What were your favorite movies of the 1980s?
Top Gun is by far my favorite movie of the 1980s. I've watched it probably 50 times over the years, and one of the highlights of my childhood was receiving an F-14 Tomcat "Top Gun" model for my birthday. I flew it around the house for what now seems like months. I have vivid memories of E.T., the 1980s Star Wars movies, and of course Indiana Jones.
What were your favorite songs/bands/musicians/entertainers of the 1980s?
I loved music as a kid, and listened to bands such as Stryper, Poison, Mr. Mister, Run DMC, Bruce Springsteen, Public Enemy, Bon Jovi, and Metallica. And of course my recollections also consist of MTV music videos from these artists.
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Rolled up pants, neon, Z Cavaricci and Girbaud jeans. I also mowed yards one summer and saved up for some Air Jordan tennis shoes--only to have them stolen when, like a dunce, I wore them to the swimming pool.
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Of course Ronald Reagan comes to mind; I remember Gorbachev vividly, Jesse Jackson, Pat Robertson, as well as Oliver North and the Iran Contra hearings. I also remember watching the Senate hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Although not politicians, I also remember the televangelist scandals of the 1980s--Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. AIDS also became a critical political/social issue of the 1980s, and I remember following the life and times of Ryan White.
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
What fashion trends to you remember from the 1980s, and which trends did you most enjoy?
Rolled up pants, neon, Z Cavaricci and Girbaud jeans. I also mowed yards one summer and saved up for some Air Jordan tennis shoes--only to have them stolen when, like a dunce, I wore them to the swimming pool.
What are your memories of 1980s politics/politicians?
Of course Ronald Reagan comes to mind; I remember Gorbachev vividly, Jesse Jackson, Pat Robertson, as well as Oliver North and the Iran Contra hearings. I also remember watching the Senate hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Although not politicians, I also remember the televangelist scandals of the 1980s--Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. AIDS also became a critical political/social issue of the 1980s, and I remember following the life and times of Ryan White.
If you could sum up the 1980s in one word, or perhaps a phrase, what would it be and why?
Change.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here are captions for the pictures:
1. 1987. School picture from 4th grade at Berean Christian School, where I attended through 5th grade. It depicts my customary toothless smile/smirk, and yes, that is a lot of hair I have.
2. 1984. Little league Braves, after an illustrious t-ball career. I think I remember sitting on the bench part of that year, but got more playing time after my rookie season.
3. 1981. I was the waterboy for the youth football league team my dad coached. That's really about as far as my football career went.
4. 1984. Here I am, on a cold night in front of the White House during the Cold War. If you look closely, you can see Ronald Reagan on the porch of the White House. My dad took me to Washington, D.C. for my 7th birthday. The highlight of the trip, as I remember it, was visiting the Air & Space Museum--I loved airplanes.
5. 1984. And speaking of the Cold War, here I am with my F-14 Tomcat toy airplane. It took many flights around the house, and in the front yard.
6. 1983. Field day in kindergarten, with a female companion who I believe was my girlfriend at the time. It didn't work out. Also, I've traded in those shorts for more fashionable jogging shorts, and ankle socks instead of striped tube socks. For Eaglefest next year, however, I may have to pay tribute to my past by dressing 1980s.
Monday, April 28, 2008
"Back to the Future:" 1980s Scavenger Hunt
1. The 1980s marked a fascinating turning point in American history, and certainly a decade filled with monumental changes. Scan Wikipedia's page on the 1980s, and list the 3 most important social changes, in your opinion, that shaped the 1980s. Second, you will want to compare 1980s technology with what technology you engage with today. Third, record the vital statistics ("FACTS") found at the top of this page. For further reference, here's a helpful timeline.
2. Reading the same Wikipedia entry on the 1980s, identify and briefly discuss what was going on in the world outside of the United States in the 1980s.
3. Related to question #2, Africa is missing from the listed countries. Read the first 3 pages of this speech, and discuss why the author thinks Africa is a key continent to pay attention to in the future.
4. Ronald Reagan was perhaps the key political figure of the 1980s, although Mikhail Gorbachev-at least by the end of the decade-had an equally large presence on the world stage. Read the info by following this link, and briefly discuss Reagan's career before he was elected President.
5. Read here to discover more about Gorbachev. Define perestroika and glasnost.
6. Analyze these maps, and explain how and why they reflect a world in a "cold war."
7. Popular Culture: some played with Cabbage Patch Kids, while others preferred Garbage Pail Kids. Discuss their origins.
8. Trends and Devices: Check out this page, and identify what made the DeLorean, the Walkman, and cell phones popular. Check out the cell phone Dr. Martin Cooper is holding!
9. Fashion Trends. What fashion trends in the 1980s were popular and how were they made popular?
10. Saturday morning specials. Follow this link to see a list of the most popular cartoons of the 1980s. Which ones have you seen and which ones are your favorites? Why?
11. TV shows. Check out a list of 1980s television shows. Why would something like The Cosby Show, or The Wonder Years, or Alf be important in the 1980s (e.g., subject matter, setting, actors, actresses, etc.)?
12. Fads--fleeting or flourishing? Scan this list of 1980s fads, and discuss at least 2. Are any of these fads around today? If so, why?
13. See some of the most important Sports Illustrated issues of the 1980s. What sports are represented, what sports are not? Where are these athletes now? Anybody know?
14. Popular names in the 1980s. Find out how popular your name was in the 1980s--and then use the drop down menu to see how popular your name was in the decade you were born. Record the results.
15. You were born in the 1980s if......what is the funniest phrase to you? Why?
16. Best of Times/Worst of Times--have you seen any of the movies on these lists--the best and the worst of the 1980s? Do you agree or disagree with the results?
17. See the info on 1980s films here. Why, in your opinion, were some movies popular, while others were not (in terms of subject matter, plot, etc.)? What accounts for success or failure at the box office in the 1980s?
18. Like to read? Here's a list of best selling books of the 1980s. Have you read any of these books? Which ones, and what did you think? In terms of subject matter, why were certain books so popular in the 1980s?
19. More TV in the 1980s. How did television change in the 1980s, and what was popular at the time? Why?
20. Pick a primary source from the 1980s. Read and discuss.
21. Automobile history of the 1980s.
22. Who's who, and what's what in the 1980s--find out (and record) where people lived in the 1980s, what occupations some had, what youth life was like in the 1980s, and leisure time during that decade.
23. Out of this world: Read and discuss why E.T. was so popular in the 1980s.
24. AIDS. The spread of AIDS, AIDS treatment, and AIDS activism marked the 1980s in countless ways. The story of Ryan White was instrumental in AIDS education, research, and funding. In addition, here's a story and some statistics.
25. What would you buy? Check out this collection of commercials from the 1980s. How did companies and corporations sell their products? How have television advertisements (or advertising in general) changed since the 1980s? Give examples.
26. Ask your parents what they remember about the 1980s and record the results. How do their recollections compare with what we've studied in class, and what you've found on the scavenger hunt?
2. Reading the same Wikipedia entry on the 1980s, identify and briefly discuss what was going on in the world outside of the United States in the 1980s.
3. Related to question #2, Africa is missing from the listed countries. Read the first 3 pages of this speech, and discuss why the author thinks Africa is a key continent to pay attention to in the future.
4. Ronald Reagan was perhaps the key political figure of the 1980s, although Mikhail Gorbachev-at least by the end of the decade-had an equally large presence on the world stage. Read the info by following this link, and briefly discuss Reagan's career before he was elected President.
5. Read here to discover more about Gorbachev. Define perestroika and glasnost.
6. Analyze these maps, and explain how and why they reflect a world in a "cold war."
7. Popular Culture: some played with Cabbage Patch Kids, while others preferred Garbage Pail Kids. Discuss their origins.
8. Trends and Devices: Check out this page, and identify what made the DeLorean, the Walkman, and cell phones popular. Check out the cell phone Dr. Martin Cooper is holding!
9. Fashion Trends. What fashion trends in the 1980s were popular and how were they made popular?
10. Saturday morning specials. Follow this link to see a list of the most popular cartoons of the 1980s. Which ones have you seen and which ones are your favorites? Why?
11. TV shows. Check out a list of 1980s television shows. Why would something like The Cosby Show, or The Wonder Years, or Alf be important in the 1980s (e.g., subject matter, setting, actors, actresses, etc.)?
12. Fads--fleeting or flourishing? Scan this list of 1980s fads, and discuss at least 2. Are any of these fads around today? If so, why?
13. See some of the most important Sports Illustrated issues of the 1980s. What sports are represented, what sports are not? Where are these athletes now? Anybody know?
14. Popular names in the 1980s. Find out how popular your name was in the 1980s--and then use the drop down menu to see how popular your name was in the decade you were born. Record the results.
15. You were born in the 1980s if......what is the funniest phrase to you? Why?
16. Best of Times/Worst of Times--have you seen any of the movies on these lists--the best and the worst of the 1980s? Do you agree or disagree with the results?
17. See the info on 1980s films here. Why, in your opinion, were some movies popular, while others were not (in terms of subject matter, plot, etc.)? What accounts for success or failure at the box office in the 1980s?
18. Like to read? Here's a list of best selling books of the 1980s. Have you read any of these books? Which ones, and what did you think? In terms of subject matter, why were certain books so popular in the 1980s?
19. More TV in the 1980s. How did television change in the 1980s, and what was popular at the time? Why?
20. Pick a primary source from the 1980s. Read and discuss.
21. Automobile history of the 1980s.
22. Who's who, and what's what in the 1980s--find out (and record) where people lived in the 1980s, what occupations some had, what youth life was like in the 1980s, and leisure time during that decade.
23. Out of this world: Read and discuss why E.T. was so popular in the 1980s.
24. AIDS. The spread of AIDS, AIDS treatment, and AIDS activism marked the 1980s in countless ways. The story of Ryan White was instrumental in AIDS education, research, and funding. In addition, here's a story and some statistics.
25. What would you buy? Check out this collection of commercials from the 1980s. How did companies and corporations sell their products? How have television advertisements (or advertising in general) changed since the 1980s? Give examples.
26. Ask your parents what they remember about the 1980s and record the results. How do their recollections compare with what we've studied in class, and what you've found on the scavenger hunt?
Monday, April 21, 2008
Of Snapshots and Survival: Picturing Vietnam
As a reminder, your homework tonight is to examine the famous Nick Ut photograph from your Vietnam War handout (here's the photo), and answer the following questions (adapted from Katherine J. Lualdi, Sources of The Making of the West, Vol. 2, Since 1500, 3rd ed., pp. 271-2).
Here are the questions to answer:
1. Why do you think this image had such a powerful impact on the public at the time?
2. What does the image of the young girl in the center of the photograph, with her clothes having been burned off and her skin on fire, reveal about the technology of war and its human costs?
3. How might the photograph's effect on U.S. public opinion have been different if the perpetrators of the napalm attack been the North Vietnamese army rather than the South Vietnamese and the Americans?
4. What do you think the political impact of this photograph was in North Vietnam after its publication?
5. What images from U.S. conflicts since the Vietnam strike you as significant and important, and why?
There's more to the story of the picture. The photograph won a Pulitzer Prize, and the girl in the middle of the photo, Kim Phuc, survived. Read about this series of events here, and discuss in the comments section how a photograph might be used as a primary source.
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