And it's one, two, three, what are we fighting for?  In this class, we'll find out!  During this 70 minute class, students will explore the music of the Vietnam anti-war movement.  We'll analyze the lyrics, instrumentation, tone and theme of some of the era's most iconic songs to uncover the motives behind the anti-war movement and the context in which these songs were written and performed.  

We'll begin with a study of the draft and the reasons for its implementation.  Together we will discuss the history of the Selective Service System and the reasons why the United States felt the need to reinstate the draft during the Vietnam War.  We'll then listen to "Draft Dodger Rag" by Phil Ochs, through which Ochs used humorous lyrics to argue why he felt young men should dodge the draft.  

Next we'll turn our focus to the ways in which anti-war activist felt the war and draft highlighted the inequalities in American society.  We'll take a look at a short excerpt from the autobiography of John Fogerty, the lead singer of Creedence Clearwater Revival.  In the excerpt, Fogerty discusses his feelings on the rich who were able to avoid the draft and the "top down" nature of war.  After reading the interview, we'll listen to the CCR classic "Fortunate Son", which makes clear Fogerty's distaste for President Nixon and the Senators who approved the war.  

Finally we'll move into a discussion of the Kent State shootings and what some people believe was the end of the peaceful anti-war movement.  We'll view some primary sources from the May 4 shooting and discuss the ways in which what she saw impacted her views on the war.  Together we'll listen to the Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young song "Ohio" which was written in response to the shooting and expresses the hopeless feeling many in the anti-war movement felt at the time.  

Students will then engage in a reflection outlining the ways in which the songs we listened to reflect the beliefs of the anti-war movement.

This course will make heavy use of music and is designed to be fun and interactive!  Throughout the way I will engage with students and lead group discussions.  I encourage questions from students at all times.  No prior knowledge of the Vietnam War, anti-war movement, or the artists/songs used is necessary.