Gitlin was part of the tumultuous student protest movement of the 1960s, and continued his commitment to social change through teaching and writing. He died on Feb. 5. Originally broadcast in 1987.
He was a leader of the peace movement in the 1960s. He is a former president of Students for a Democratic Society, and author of a number of books including The Sixties: Years of Hope, Days of Rage, and Media Unlimited. Gitlin is also a professor of journalism and sociology at Columbia University.
Journalist and professor Todd Gitlin. His new book is a liberal's criticism of the "culture wars" that have destroyed the notion of common good in our country. It's called "The Twilight of Common Dreams: Why America is Wracked by Culture Wars," (Metropolitan Books). Gitlin is also the author of "The Sixties: Years of Hope, Days of Rage." He teaches culture and communications , journalism, and sociology at New York University.