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Class Meets: Wednesdays 2-5:40 pm
Room: Stevenson 2079
Instructor: Steve Estes
Office Hours: M/W: 10:15-10:45 and 1-2:00
Office: Stevenson 2070 D
steve.estes@sonoma.edu or 707.664.2424
Objectives
This course will familiarize students with the modern history and historiography
of California, and it will also hone students’ research and writing
skills. The Golden State’s distinctiveness lies in its diversity, and
we will explore this diversity in California’s changing environment,
demographics, economy, and culture. At the conclusion of the course, students
will write a ten-page research paper that examines primary and secondary source
material on a topic in California history of your choosing.
Required Texts
T. C. Boyle, Drop City
Chitra Divakaruni, William Justice, James Quay, eds., California Uncovered
James Gregory, American Exodus
David Kaplan, The Silicon Boys and Their Valley of Dreams
Theodora Kroeber, Ishi In Two Worlds
Randy Shilts, The Mayor of Castro Street
Kevin Starr, California: A History
Plus Additional Reserve Articles & Essays
Assignments & Grades
Leading Discussion (15% of final grade): At the beginning of the semester
students will chose a class to lead the discussion on that week’s reading
assignment. Discussion leaders will be in groups of two or three students.
They will have read the book or articles we are discussing closely (along
with academic reviews where available). The discussion leaders will also prepare
a list of questions and activities (debates or other creative small group
assignments) to guide the discussion. Discussion leaders are encouraged to
bring in other materials (film clips, songs, art, material culture items,
or other primary source material) to facilitate analysis of the period and
the book. Discussion leaders should turn in a typed outline of the discussion
and activities at the conclusion of the class that they lead. (One outline
per group is fine).
Readings Journal (30% of final grade): Each week, you need to write a typed, one-page review of the book or articles that we are reading. This review should briefly summarize the primary argument or topic of the readings, and it should analyze how effectively the author conveys his or her main points. For academic books, does the author look at the relevant source material? Does s/he place the work in a historical and historigraphical context? What questions did the work(s) raise in your mind? Was the writing engaging? Journals are due twice during the semester. (See schedule.)
Class Participation (25% of final grade): For this course to work, every student must keep up with the reading and actively participate in class discussion every week. Attendance is mandatory, but you may miss up to two classes without an excuse. After the second absence three points are deducted from your final grade per absence regardless of the excuse. Your participation grade will be based on the frequency and quality of contributions to the class discussion as well as the activities planned for “teaching California history” in the third class meeting.
Research Paper (25% of final grade): The final assignment for the class is a ten-page research paper based on both primary and secondary sources. Over the course of the semester, you will complete a proposal, introduction, rough draft, and final draft of this paper. You will make copies of these assignments for the instructor and the other members of your writing group.
Research Presentation (5% of final grade): At the conclusion of the semester, you will present your research to the class. This presentation will be 5-10 minutes long, followed by five minutes of Q&A with your classmates. The presentation should explain your paper’s topic (briefly), thesis, and include two examples/anecdotes from your research that support your thesis. You may conclude by discussing the questions your paper left unanswered and/or possible areas for future research on this topic.
Schedule
1.30 “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” California in the Popular Imagination
Video Clips: Beach Blanket Bingo, American Graffiti, &
Clueless
Audio Clips: Woody Guthrie, Beach Boys, Tupac Shakur, & Rufus Wainwright
2.06 Early California History
Kevin Starr, California (Introduction, Chronology, and Chapters 1-5)
2.13 The California Century (Part I): Teaching California History
Starr, California (Chapters 6-9)
[Students lead discussions, debates, or activities on individual chapters.]
2.20 The California Century (Part II): Teaching California History
Starr, California (Chapters 10-13)
[Students lead discussions, debates, or activities on individual chapters.]
2.27 The Native Californian
Kroeber, Ishi in Two Worlds
Possible Primary Sources: Robert F. Heizer, Ishi the Last Yahi: A Documentary
History
3.05 Exodus or Influx
James Gregory, American Exodus
Possible Video Clip: Grapes of Wrath
3.12 City By the Bay
James Brook, Chris Carlsson, & Nancy Peters, Reclaiming San Francisco
(vii-20, 51-100, 115-122) [On Reserve]
3.19 Communes and Communities
T.C. Boyle, Drop City (1-188)
******Research Paper Proposals are due.*****
Bring three copies of a one page research proposal that outlines the topic,
scope, primary sources, secondary sources, and a list of questions that will
drive your research paper.
[Discussion of Proposal in Writing Groups]
3.26 Spring Break
[No class]
4.02 Politics as Unusual
Shilts, Mayor of Castro Street (Chapters 1-6, 8, 10-12, 15-18)
4.9 Research Day
*****[Journal (Part I) is due.]*****
4.16 A Postmodern Cityscape
Mike Davis, City of Quartz (Chapters 4 & 5) [On Reserve]
*****[Draft first three pages (introduction) to term paper.]*****
Possible Video Clips: Anna Deveare Smith, The Fire This Time
4.23 Net Nerds & Microchip Magnates
David Kaplan, The Silicon Boys and Their Valley of Dreams
Read your writing partner’s introduction and make comments.
[Discussion of Introductions in Writing Groups.]
Possible Video Clip: Dot.com
4.30 California Cultures (Part I)
Divakaruni, Justice, and Quay, eds., California Uncovered, vii-176
5.7 California Cultures (Part II)
Divakaruni, Justice, and Quay, eds., California Uncovered, 177-364
*****[Journal (Part II) is due.]*****
5.14 Student Research Presentations
*****[Research Paper Due in Class]*****
5.21 Student Research Presentations (2 pm – 3:50 pm)
During the final examination period, we will conclude our student presentations.