College Writing R1A: Accelerated Reading and Composition
"California History and Culture"
Section 25: M/W/F 10:00-12:00
106 Mulford Hall
Section 11: M/W/F 2:00 -4:00
100 Wheeler Hall
Instructor: Ben Spanbock
Office Hours: M:12-1/W:1-2
Office: Wheeler M20
Syllabus Weekly Class Schedule
Course Reader (sign-in required) Working CA Timeline
Fall 2014 Prompts and Assignments Course Playlist
Description:
The state of California encompasses a tremendous amount of social, cultural, environmental, and regional diversity. Operating under the premise that our diverse community stands to benefit from intellectually informed ideas and opinions, the purpose of this class is to introduce practical methods for reading historical and cultural “texts” (print, visual, auditory, social, etc.) and activating the writing process as a method for engaging with the dynamic issues they raise. Together we will examine a number of short and long texts that draw from and speak to a variety of academic discourses, including film, journalism, environmental studies, literature, social sciences, history, and cultural studies. Beginning with an overview of the place of California in writing, we will work together to define the limits of a “California imaginary” to serve as our common ground while identifying and pursuing issues relevant to our own interests. Students will be asked to read deeply and carefully, and to practice both formal and informal writing with the goal of forming their own perspectives on relevant issues.
The state of California encompasses a tremendous amount of social, cultural, environmental, and regional diversity. Operating under the premise that our diverse community stands to benefit from intellectually informed ideas and opinions, the purpose of this class is to introduce practical methods for reading historical and cultural “texts” (print, visual, auditory, social, etc.) and activating the writing process as a method for engaging with the dynamic issues they raise. Together we will examine a number of short and long texts that draw from and speak to a variety of academic discourses, including film, journalism, environmental studies, literature, social sciences, history, and cultural studies. Beginning with an overview of the place of California in writing, we will work together to define the limits of a “California imaginary” to serve as our common ground while identifying and pursuing issues relevant to our own interests. Students will be asked to read deeply and carefully, and to practice both formal and informal writing with the goal of forming their own perspectives on relevant issues.
Week 1: In search of Paradise
Fire and lights in "The Valley"
These promotional videos and parodies hint at the monetary value invested in perpetuating the California Dream.
Week 2: Beginnings
Henry Miller reading at Big Sur
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Examining the redwoods
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Weeks 3 and 4: Spanish Fantasy Heritage
1923 Production Ad. for "Ramona" in Hemet (connected by paved highway!)
I'm trying to start a student generated materials page for H.H. Jackson's classic ethical romance Ramona. Will you help me?
See More Here: Digital Ramona Project
Week 5: Water Wars
Owens Valley Paiute
Owens Lake, red from halophilic algae
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Mary Austin, Jack London, and the 'Carmel Bohemians'
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Week 6: In "The City"
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The Palace Hotel, San Francisco ~1930
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Week 7: Decentering Anglo Experience
Chinatown medical clinic ~1890
New Almaden article
Mercury Article
Bancroft Library Japanese American Internment Archive
Cervantes, Lorna Dee. Freeway 280
New Almaden Mercury Mine from above
Week 8: Speeches and Social Movements
"Retro" Harvey Milk Day poster ~2010
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Mario Savio at Sproul Hall
UCSD Cesar Chavez Legacy Mural
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Weeks 9 and 10: Gangs, Police, and the Imprisonment Cycle
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SF Gate Article: California prisons' solitary units - necessary or inhumane?
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Week 11: Identity and Fantasy
 Disney's "California Adventure"
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A Page from Deborah Vankin's "Poseurs"
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Weeks 12, 13, 14: Endings, Epilogues, Revisions, Etc.
"Missed Connections" by Adrian Tomine
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An image from The Salton Sea
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