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
These promotional videos and parodies hint at the monetary value invested in perpetuating the California Dream.
Week 2: Beginnings
Weeks 3 and 4: Spanish Fantasy Heritage
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
Week 6: In "The City"
|
Week 7: Decentering Anglo Experience
New Almaden article
Mercury Article
Bancroft Library Japanese American Internment Archive
Cervantes, Lorna Dee. Freeway 280
Week 8: Speeches and Social Movements
Weeks 9 and 10: Gangs, Police, and the Imprisonment Cycle
SF Gate Article: California prisons' solitary units - necessary or inhumane?
|
|