This course will examine the key events, figures, philosophies, tactics, and consequences of the modern civil rights movement in the United States.  The period from 1955-1965 receives special attention, but the roots of the freedom struggle in an earlier era and the effect of the movement on recent American history also warrant investigation.  This course will use primary source documents, film, interpretive literature, and music in order to fully study the most powerful mass protest movement in modern US history.  Special emphasis will be given to the centrality of religion in the movement and the liberal social ethics, which motivated key participants.  In addition, this course will concentrate on the powerful role played by whites, both in the North and the South, who fiercely resisted the black freedom struggle.

•    Clayborne Carson, Darlene Clark Hine, Vincent Harding, Gerald Gill, David J. Garrow, The Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Reader: Documents, Speeches, and Firsthand Accounts from the Black Freedom Struggle (1991)
•    Michael J. Klarman, Unfinished Business: Racial Equality in American History (2007)
•    Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi (republished, 2004)
•    Timothy B. Tyson, Radio Free Dixie: Robert F. Williams and the Roots of Black Power (2001)

•    Charles Marsh, The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice, from the Civil Rights Movement to Today (2005)

•    Other material included in course pack

Students will be evaluated on how well they identify and critique the significance events, terms, and individuals covered and on the basis of their reading, writing, and thinking skills.  Read every assignment and come prepared to discuss these in class.  Since this is designed as a seminar/discussion course, participation will be critical.  Always be prepared; I may call upon you at any time. While going over each week’s assignment, identify the major themes, challenge or affirm the key arguments, and offer a clear analysis of the material covered.  (Discussion questions will serve as a guide: www.enc.edu/history/cr_qs.html.)  Those who fail to keep up with the reading will do poorly. Participation and attendance is absolutely mandatory for each individual and will figure largely into the overall grade.  (Obviously, if one doesn’t attend or read the assignments, one cannot participate.)

Two tests will be administered over the semester involving short answer and essay questions. In addition, unannounced pop quizzes may be administered occasionally at the beginning of class.  These quizzes will cover the most recent reading assignments and our in-class discussions.  Those who arrive late or fail to attend class will not be allowed to retake quizzes or tests, unless, of course, a written medical excuse can be provided.

In addition to a satisfactory evaluation of this work based on content, you are expected to demonstrate competence in writing, argumentation, and English composition and grammar.  Students must submit a total of 7, 1.5 to 2 page, double-spaced, typed responses to reading assignments.  (Discussion questions are posted: www.enc.edu/history/cr_qs.html.)  These 7 will be graded on a 10-point scale.  Students will also write 3 short, 2-3 page book reviews of the supplemental texts.  These will be graded on a 1-100 scale.  Details on writing will come later.

This spring a number of Boston libraries, bookstores, schools, and museums will host lectures on a variety of topics relevant to the course.  The Kennedy Library alone features several high-profile political figures and authors.  Each student must attend two public lectures over the course of the semester.  Many will be listed at: www.enc.edu/history/boston_lectures.html.  (See listings marked with “+”.)  Two of these, listed below, are scheduled at ENC.  After attending each, students will write up a 1.5-2 page summary, citing specific examples and detailing how the event relates to the course.  Summaries will be discussed briefly in class.   Other lectures may be attended for extra credit.  

At the end of the semester, each student will give a short in-class presentation on any of the following: a leader of the civil rights or anti-civil rights movement; a politician associated with the civil rights movement; a civil rights organization; a campaign that was instrumental to the black freedom struggle; or a major event in the history of the movement. More details will be provided as the semester progresses.  A short bibliography of at least 7 works and a two page abstract on the topic must be turned in on the dates listed below.

Finally, a note on proper behavior and academic honesty.  Talking with fellow classmates, eating, doing other work, reading newspapers, leaving cell phones on, walking out early or arriving late all reflect poorly on you as a student and will hurt your overall grade.  Cheating and plagiarism are even worse and will not be tolerated.  Be advised: ANY instance of cheating on tests, essays, or other assignments may result in failure of the course. For more on this fascinating topic, please refer to the ENC history dept. guidelines concerning academic honesty: http://www.enc.edu/history/stephens.plagiarism.html.  Those who are guilty will be caught.  Incriminating evidence is only a Google™ search away.

Attendance and Pop Quizzes -----------10%
Participation --------------------------------10%
7 short pass/fail papers  ------------------10%
3 2-3 page book reviews  ----------------15%
2 1.5-2 page Boston area
lecture reviews, 5% each  ----------------10%
Bibliography for in-class
presentation  ---------------------------------5%
Abstract for in-class        
Presentation  ---------------------------------5%
Class presentation  -------------------------10%
2 Exams, 12.5% each  ---------------------25%

A = 100-94; A- = 93-90; B+ = 89-87; B = 86-84; B- = 83-80; C+ = 79-77; C = 76-74; C- = 73-70; D = 69-60

Failure to complete any of the assignments will obviously result in a significant lowering of your total grade.