Britain and the Beatles: 1960s British Culture and Society through History, Music, and Film

The course examines clashes over change versus the status quo in 1960s Britain through the lens of the Beatles. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach, students analyze historical primary sources including music by the Beatles and other significant musicians, iconic films and television shows from the period, and other cultural products (including fashion, art, and architecture and urban planning). Through this array of contemporary evidence as well as relevant scholarship, students consider debates centered on youth culture; gender and sexuality; social class, race, and ethnicity; peace and anti-war activism; and maintenance or reform of key social institutions.