Education Resource: Social Change

Social Change in the 60s and 70s

Suggested Age Group: Middle School to High School.

Thematic Summary

This clip set features interviews with key players from the social changes of the 60s and 70s in the United States. They discuss the meaning and purpose of social movements during that time. Highlighted are the Black Panthers, the students movements at Berkeley University and participants of a festival in San Francisco in 1976.

Student Activities

1. Opener: Students write about a way that they were involved in social change and what part they played. They can also discuss the role they would like to play.

2. Write about things they would like to see change in their school or community on scrap paper. collect. Read some and discuss how they can affect change as individuals.

3. Write researched letters/emails to a representative of a cause they either support or oppose. Print/forward email and response. Discuss in class.

4. Write a persuasive speech on a pre-approved topic to be presented to the class in a 1 page speech or write 3-5 page persuasive paper on a topic of the teacher's choice.

Discussion Questions

Make a list of ideas that the revolutionaries of the 60s and 70s were fighting for. What did they want to see happen to the world and society?

Using at least one example from any of the clips, describe how thinking/priorities have changed over time.

How do you think social change happens today? Is it different or similar to social change in the 60s and 70s.

Do you think the social movements of the 60s and 70s changed anything? Why or why not?

Recommended Clips

American Revolution II: Right On

Suggested Clip Times: 0:01:05 – 0:05:20

Theme: What and who social change affects

Description: Black Panther Bob Lee speaks to a group of people to explain that the Panthers want to help the people of Uptown because they face similar problems and that poverty is the thing that unites people of both races and all areas in Chicago.

Berkeley In The Sixties

Suggested Clip Times: 0:00:00 – 0:11:37

Theme: The process of social change, free speech movement, shift of consciousness from 50s-60s, revolutionary hopes.

Description: Historical footage and interview clips with key players in the political movement at UC-Berkeley in the 1960s.

The Real Realness Of The Higher Highness

Suggested Clip Times: 0:17:20-0:19:39

Theme: Idea of the generation gap.

Description: Varying ideas of revolution (e.g., "heading toward to fulfillment of a very poetic and very inspiring idea of what human rights could be.").

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