HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF CALIFORNIA
History 20 (3 units)
M/W 12:30 - 1:55, Room V9
Sec. 24884

WELCOME!!!

From its origins, California has been both a state of mind and place.  Early Spanish explorers heard stories of a mystical and wondrous land of gold that held both promise and peril to those brave enough to seek it out.  For millions of individuals both inside and out of California, the Golden State still holds that mythical allure.  Over the next 15 weeks, we will discuss why that is and what makes California so unique (if, in fact, it is unique).  Despite drought, earthquakes, floods, recession, power shortages, and expensive real estate, millions of people from all over the world settle in California every year.  How has the state dealt with this growth politically, socially, and economically?

This course will examine California geographic regions, the Native Americans of California, discovery, institutions of Spanish California, developments in the Mexican period, the early American period, economic foundations of the state, political growth and institutions of American California, race and California history in the 20th Century, and state and local government. 

Required Texts

Additional reading materials and study guides are online at Angel.  It is highly recommended that you print these articles/documents/short passages out ASAP in case of periodic and unforeseen downtime of the web page.  You are responsible to have each of these readings completed by their assigned day on the syllabus.  Study Questions are for your personal use and are not to be turned in to the instructor.

For a better understanding of the topics covered in this class, you should read a daily newspaper.  The San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times are all good resources.  The California History journal and the Pacific Historical Review are also both useful resources.  Your success in this class depends on the initiative you put into it!

General Class Policies

1. Cell phones and computers must be turned off in the classroom.
2. Save this syllabus as evidence for transfer to a four-year institution.
3. Class participation and COMPLETING THE ASSIGNED READING by the beginning of each topic are essential to passing this course.
4. Late work is marked down 1/3 of a grade for each day that it is handed in late after the end of class when it is due.
5. Tutoring is available at no charge at Tutorial Services.  It is provided by qualified, trained, students who have been recommended by the faculty.  Contact Tutorial Services in the Library Building or call 741-2038.
6. Plagiarism/cheating will result in automatic failures for the course and offenders will be referred to the CSSO for disciplinary action.  Familiarize yourself with the campus policy on cheating detailed in the College Catalog under Student Conduct Code, 5.8.19 Policy on Cheating.  (You will find examples of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html)
7. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request.  Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.
8. Student Learning Outcome will be assessed through examination and test student's ability to accurately apply California historical terms to their correct definitions.

Pass/No Pass Option and Dropping

Students wishing to take this class with the Pass/No Pass option must inform the instructor in writing no later than the end of the SIXTH WEEK.  Requests for this option WILL NOT be accepted after that time.  See the WVC Catalog under "Academic Regulations and Standards" for more information about this option.  Students who wish to be dropped from the course after the first week are responsible for doing this on their own.  I will not do this for you.  If you stop showing up but your name is on my roster at the end of the semester, you will receive an "F" in the class with no opportunities to change this to a "W."

Quizzes

Your two quizzes this semester will be conducted on Angel rather than in class.  These quizzes cover ALL of the assigned readings and lectures (Weeks 1-4 for Quiz 1, and Weeks 8-13 for Quiz 2)  Click HERE for more instructions, as well as how to log on to Angel.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and punctuality is required and roll will be taken at the beginning of the class.  Tardy students will receive a 1 point reduction from their total grade for each tardy.  More than one absence will constitute a reduction of 2 points for each additional absence.

Web Page

A class web page can be found for History 20 at Angel.  This page contains the syllabus, lecture outlines, PowerPoint lectures, online readings, and study guides for the midterm and final exam.  This web page serves as a supplement to the lectures and in-class discussions, not as a substitute.  

Dates to Remember

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  MONDAY, May 20, 11:50-1:50 AM

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

SPRING BREAK 4/01 - 4/06

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  MONDAY, May 20, 11:50-1:50 AM