HIST 275 F History of California and the Pacific Coast Padilla
Fall 2007
Office:1250-03 / Office Hours:
M/W 11am-12pm & M 1-2pm & T/TH 1-2pm / Office Phone & VoiceMail (714) 992-7358
"When I am in California, I am not in the West.
I am west of the West."
....Theodore Roosevelt
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:
Fruitcakes? Land of a thousand flakes! To many other people in the United States, Californians are just that! Some midwesterners and easterners ridicule us, and yet they have envied us. Many factors including the Beach Boys, the Mamas and the Papas, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Lee Roth, Mammoth Mountain, Laguna Beach, Berkeley, and Disneyland have affected our national image. In addition, we Californians have often seen ourselves as the true benefactors of the American Dream. Ethnocentrically, some of us have wanted to keep "the magic" for ourselves ("Welcome to California, now go home.").
Who are we, the Californians? Are we an enigma? Hardly!
This course will acquaint you with the historical evolution and development of Californian culture and society. We will examine the historical roots that have created today's California.
Our approach will be interdisciplinary. We are going to talk about history in a personal way. History is made by people, and people are history. Likewise, we will study history rather than just chronology.
It is my hope that we can collectively work to achieve an ability to evaluate the geographical, cultural, and social concepts that have historically and still do affect California.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
You will be held responsible for all class work. This includes all lectures, readings,slides, videotapes, etc.
ABSENCES:
Avoid them since the lectures and the readings are not designed to duplicate each other. Excessive absences (2) affect grades and they could result in your dismissal and/or failure in the class.
HIST 275 F History of California and the Pacific Coast Padilla
Fall 2007
READINGS:National Geographic, April, 1995. "Living with California's Faults"*
Rawls, James and Bean, Walton. California: An Interpretive History
Santa Barbara Museum. Californias Chumash Indians
* in the Library on 2 hour reserve
EXAMINATION/GRADING PROCEDURE:
Our class assigned work will consist of the following:
There will be one "Geographical Identification" presentation.
There will be one credit/no credit essay.
There will be two take-home essay exams.
There will be three objective exams.
You will put together a California Historical Landmark booklet.
or participate in a teacher organized overnight(s) field trip.
(Fees are involved! The group is limited to 10 students)
A grade will be given for your attendance in class.
Have all assigned work completed on time. Late work is subject to a penalty of a full-letter grade. Any late assignment must be completed within 2 school days of the original assignment due date. If you are ill on an assignment day you must notify me before class time (992-7358). Comply with this request and the above penalty will not be imposed!
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
Mission architecture project which requires photography. Field trips.
FIELD TRIPS:
We will have the opportunity to get into the field and get involved. The trips are optional and they will take place outside of class time.
HIST 275 F History of California and the Pacific Coast Padilla
Fall 2007
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
IMPRESSIONISTIC ESSAY
Look at the picture on the white board.
How do you INTERPRET this picture?
Write your essay in the FIRST PERSON.
MAXIMUM of 2 pages
TYPE/double space
DUE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
HIST 275 F History of California and the Pacific Coast Padilla
Fall 2007
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
IMPRESSIONISTIC ESSAY
Look at the picture on the white board.
How do you INTERPRET this picture?
Write your essay in the FIRST PERSON.
MAXIMUM of 2 pages
TYPE/double space
DUE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
"MISSION ARCHITECTURE"
You will photograph seven (7) different buildings that represent "Mission architecture".
These buildings can be an actual mission, churches, restaurants, train stations, warehouses, homes, stores, movie theaters, business, etc.
The seven (7) photos (standard prints) will each be mounted on separate sheets. Provide the name of the building, its location and address, and the date of construction. Be sure the architecture is "Mission".
No repeats, please. For example, only one Taco Bell, only one actual mission, etc.
TYPE
DUE: Anytime but no later than TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007
No late work will be accepted.
ASSIGNMENT: CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL LANDMARKS/SITES
Visit four (4) Official California Historical Landmarks/Sites each identified by an official State of California numbered plaque (i.e. California Historical Landmark 358).
For each site visited:
a. On one page provide an exact reproduction of the inscription on the plaque.
b.Submit a photograph of yourself at the site.
c.Provide a 2 page typed essay interpreting the significance and importance of the historical site.
DUE: Anytime but no later than TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2007
HIST 275 F History of California and the Pacific Coast Padilla
Fall 2007
GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTIFICATION
Leaving the cards on the front desk face down, take one card.
Return to your desk. Record the card's information in your notebook.
Print your name on the upper right corner of the card. I will be collecting them.
Starting on Tuesday, August 28th you will introduce yourself to the class. Using the map of California, you will locate for the class the geographical formation that you have selected on the card.
Give us some information about your geographical formation. For example, where is it, what is it, what is its size, what is its elevation, for lakes how deep is it, for mountains what direction do they run, what is the climate of the area, etc.?