1960s American Culture and Identity

Abstract

This unit explores the changes in American identity through investigating the racial and social issues of the time. Focusing on the Civil Rights Movement and Black Culture, students will learn about the changes in culture, politics, and arts. The lessons are organized so students will be able to apply prior knowledge to their growing vocabulary and understanding of the themes. The unit will begin Cultural history of the 1960s in United States. Followed by the political changes of the period, then concluding in the artistic environment that was influenced by the social and cultural changes. The unit recognizes the period of 1960s as an extremely influential period of American History. The main objectives of this unit is for students to be able to connect the social, cultural, and political changes of the 1960s to present day American identity. Another objective is for students to be able to recognize the connections between the Arts, politics, and culture of the 1960s, and how these were elements that documented, influenced, and further propelled the Civil Rights movement forward. Through the investigation of primary sources, students will be improve and strengthen upon their critical thinking, visual vocabulary, and communication skills.