Homework and Discussion for the books:

Boston Against Busing and Taken Hostage

Due Thursday April 8

(the book review paper is due Tuesday, April 13)

*Those students reading Boston Against Busing should come to class on April 8 from 9:55-10:35.

*Those students reading Taken Hostage should come to class on April 8 from 10:40-11:10.

The homework assignment for both books is to write 2 discussion questions to be handed in. Worth 5 points. Please direct the questions to your fellow students, not me. May be hand-written or typed.

In discussion, be prepared to identify the author’s main arguments. Be prepared to identify strengths and weaknesses of the book.

Suggestions for readings Boston Against Busing:

You can do a lot of skimming of chapters 2-6. I suggest focusing more on chapters 7-10 in which the author pays more attention to relating the Boston scene to a national historical and political context.

What does the book tell us about:

A) national political trends in the 60s-80s?

B) trends in cities and suburbs

C) race & class & gender

D) evolution of social movements of the 60s & 70s

(also note intersections with Gillon’s American Paradox)

[your discussion questions can cover the issues listed above]