University of Dayton Professors John Heitmann and Todd Uhlman taught a class about 1970s American car culture and films of the era. Using examples like Easy Rider, American Graffiti, and Badlands, they argued these films reflected many Americans' disillusionment and glorified the open road as a way to take back control in the face of societal changes. They also talked about the impact of oil shortages, the rise of coast-to-coast races called “Cannonball Runs,” and the popularity of trucker movies and music.

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