Course Outline for History 12
History of California

Effective: Fall 2016
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016
Catalog Description:

HIS 12 - History of California

3.00 Units

Historical development of California, including Spanish exploration and settlement and the Mexican Revolution. Transformation of California under United States control: the American conquest, the Gold Rush, and dynamic expansion to the present day. Includes Native Americans, Mexican Americans, European Americans, Asian Americans and African Americans. Emphasis on political, economic, and social factors which transformed American California from a relatively simple rural society to a highly complex ethnically diversified agricultural-industrial system. Analysis of historical issues and current problems.
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. explain the impact of geography on the development of California within United States history;
  2. describe the Spanish, Mexican and American heritage that has contributed to the form and shape of California society today;
  3. trace the exploration and settlement of California as an enterprise of the Crown during the Spanish period, the early efforts of California toward individual enterprise and self-government status in a semi-feudal pastoral society during the Mexican period, and the later achievements of Californians in establishing the basis of a representative government and capitalistic economy based on a system of free enterprise in the American period;
  4. explain the catalystic forces unleased by the Gold Rush, which transformed California from a frontier mining society in 1850 to a rural agricultural-mercantile society by 1870 to a highly diversified urbanized society with a complex agricultural-industrial economy after 1900;
  5. trace and discuss the contributions of ethnic, social, and gender groups to the development of California’s political, social, and economic institutions;
  6. identify the highly successful efforts of Californians in achieving a close functional relationship between the political, economic, and social aspects of their society;
  7. describe the California state and local government and its relationship to the United States federal government.
Course Content:
  1. Self-discovering California - its geography, its place in the Western Hemisphere, and its Pacific Rim location   
  2. Spanish exploration and settlement, 1542-1821
  3. Mexican Revolution and California’s transformation under Mexican rule, 1821-1848
  4. Mexican-American War, the Gold Rush, inclusion in the continental United States, and statehood, 1846-1850 
  5. The spread of Manifest Destiny westward to California, including its impact on the development of the transcontinental railroad and the indigenous peoples, the Gilded Age, and the contributions of immigrants (Latinos, American-Europeans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, African-Americans, and women), 1850-1900
  6. The Progressive movement, including reformers, muckrakers, and the labor movement, 1870-1917
  7. Becoming an American and world economic and political power, 1900-2000: agriculture, water management, internal improvements, World War I and II, oil, education and technology 
  8. The drive towards social democracy, including violations of civil rights, racial discrimination and violence, the New Deal, Zoot Suit riots, braceros, Japanese internment, feminism, student movements, and labor unrest 1900-2000
  9. General review – the role of California in United States history including, as a state in 1850 under the United States Constitution, two California State Constitutions and succeeding amendments, and the evolution of local government
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Appropriate multi-media material
  2. Class participation
  3. Lecture/Discussion
  4. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Join a group of classmates to develop around specific content areas thoughts and ideas for a group presentation and written report
  2. Interview or listen to oral histories of diverse ethnic groups and present a written summary and analysis of your findings
  3. Choosing from appropriate course topics, use journaling techniques to reinforce writing skills and develop student ideas
  1. Papers
  2. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Evaluate how the voyages of exploration brought the Spaniards to California and why they delayed settlement.
  2. Explain how the Constitution of California broke with past practice of statehood process established by Congress and the Constitution.  Identify the salient features of the California's first constitution.
  3. Identify how the Gold Rush transformed California from a frontier society to a rural mining society and into an industrialized urban society by the end of the 19th century
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Robert W. Cherny, Richard Griswold del Castillo, and Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo (2013). Competing Visions: A History of California -.
  2. Lauren Coodley (2008). California: A Multicultural Documentary History Prentice Hall.
  3. Richard Rice (2012). Elusive Eden McGraw-Hill.
  4. John Steinbeck (2006). In Dubious Battle Penguin Classics.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Historical development of California, including Spanish exploration and settlement and the Mexican Revolution. Transformation of California under United States control: the American conquest, the Gold Rush, and dynamic expansion to the present day. Includes Native Americans, Mexican Americans, European Americans, Asian Americans and African Americans. Emphasis on political, economic, and social factors which transformed American California from a relatively simple rural society to a highly complex ethnically diversified agricultural-industrial system.
Discipline:
History*