HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF CALIFORNIA
History 20 (3 units) - Online
Sec. 35009

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's 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 Canvas.  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.

Books can be ordered through the campus online bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/wvm) or some other online website.  Do not delay in ordering your books.

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. Save this syllabus as evidence for transfer to a four-year institution.
2. Class participation on the Discussion Boards and COMPLETING THE ASSIGNED READING are essential to passing this course.
3. A penalty is assessed for all late work and is detailed on each individual assignment/exams.  
4. 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.
5. ***Plagiarism/cheating will result in automatic failure and offenders will be referred to the CSSO for disciplinary action.  Familiarize yourself with the campus policy on cheating detailed in the College Catalogue under Student Conduct Code, 5.8.19 Policy on Cheating.  (You will find examples of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it at https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/plagiarism.html.)***
6. 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.
7. Student Learning Outcomes will be assessed through the final examination in order to test the student's ability to explain an historical concept regarding recent California history and politics.

Quizzes and Paper

Your two quizzes cover ALL of the assigned readings and lectures (Weeks 1-4 for Quiz 1, and Weeks 8-13 for Quiz 2).  Quiz due dates will NOT be extended.  Click HERE for more instructions.

Your  paper will be a creative assignment based on the book Farewell to Manzanar.  You must access the course web page on Canvas for instructions as to how to complete this paper.

Discussions

You will have SIX threaded discussions on Canvas. You are required to complete at least FIVE in which you will post a well thought-out paragraph in no less than 200 words AND respond to one of your classmates in at least 100 words.  (If you complete all 6, you will get extra credit).   Click on the MODULES tab, and then click on the Discussions link.  Read the topic statement and then post your comments.  You MUST participate in each of these discussions in order to receive credit for your participation.  More instructions are posted on Canvas.  See Due Dates below for each discussion topic.  ONCE THE DISCUSSION BOARD CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE REOPENED (so please do not ask for it to be).  You MAY NOT make-up a missed discussion.

Dates to Remember

Discussion Due Dates

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  

Saturday, May 17 - Wednesday, May 21 (Availability ends 5/21 at 11:59 pm)

ONLINE COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1  (Jan 26 - Feb 1)

Week 2  (Feb 2 - 8)

Week 3  (Feb 9 - 15)

Week 4  (Feb 16 - 22)

Week 5   (Feb 23 - Mar 1)

Week 6  (Mar 2 - 8)

Week 7  (Mar 9 - 15)

Week 8  (Mar 16 - 22)

Week 9  (3/23 - 3/29)

SPRING BREAK 3/30 - 4/05

Week 10  (Apr 6 - 12)

Week 11  (Apr 13 - 19)

Week 12 (Apr 20 - 26)

Week 13   (Apr 27 - May 3)

Week 14  (May 4 - 10)

Week 15  (May 11 - 17)

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  

Saturday, May 17 - Wednesday, May 21 (Availability ends 5/21 at 11:59 pm)