Module 11 Discussion: Conformity and the Cold War

The Cold War helped contribute to an era of conformity within American society. While some Americans enjoyed the structure this conformity created others did not and spoke against it.

Step 1: Below you will see the lyrics to a song called Ticky Tacky (listen to the song here). Read the lyrics and respond to two of the prompts below with a paragraph response.

  1. Causation: What are the effects of conformity on 1950’s America?
  2. Contextualization: In what ways are people today pressured to conform to society?
  3. Synthesis: If Malvina Reynolds were alive today would she still write this song? If not, what about society would she most likely criticize?

Malvina Reynolds, “Little Boxes” (1962)

Little boxes on the hillside,

Little boxes made of ticky tacky,

Little boxes on the hillside,

Little boxes all the same.

There’s a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one,

And they’re all made out of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

 

And the people in the houses

All went to the university,

Where they were put in boxes

And they came out all the same,

And there’s doctors and lawyers,

And business executives,

And they’re all made out of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

 

And they all play on the golf course

And drink their martinis dry,

And they all have pretty children

And the children go to school,

And the children go to summer camp

And then to the university,

Where they are put in boxes

And they come out all the same.

 

And the boys go into business

And marry and raise a family

In boxes made of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

There’s a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one,

And they’re all made out of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

Step 2: Respond in two separate posts to two classmates (in at least 75 words). Explicitly address their examples and try to extend, complicate, or redirect their points in a substantive, knowledge-demonstrating way. Be sure to cite relevant concepts and key terms from the reading. Your responses should add value to the discussion. “Nice job” or “I disagree” do not constitute substantive or constructive posts. You might wish to engage in a discussion with a classmate who responded to a different prompt than you or provided new insights. You might wish to follow up on a post with which you disagree. As always, courtesy and respect are required.

Discussion Grading Rubric

Criteria Developing Satisfactory Excellent Points
Responds to prompt Response is superficial, lacking in analysis or critique. Contributes few novel ideas, connections, or applications. Provides an accurate response to the prompt, but the information delivered is limited or lacking in analysis. Provides a thoughtful and clear response to the content or question asked. The response includes original thoughts and novel ideas. __/4
Supporting Details Includes vague or incomplete supporting evidence or fails to back opinion with facts. Supports opinions with details, though connections may be unclear, not firmly established, or explicit. Supports response with evidence; makes connections to the course content and/or other experiences. Cites evidence when appropriate. __/2
Comments and participation Provides brief responses or shows little effort to participate in the learning community. Responds kindly and builds upon the comments from others, but may lack depth, detail, and/or explanation. Kindly and thoroughly extend discussions already taking place or poses new possibilities or opinions not previously voiced. Response is substantive and constructive. __/4
Total __/10