HIS 12 - History of California

Instructor: Rick Moniz
Email Instructor rmoniz@chabotcollege.edu

Instructor phone:510-723-6958

Course 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 groups. 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.

Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.

This class begins June 17th and ends July 27th

Optional On-Campus Orientations

There is one required on-campus meeting for this class on June 17th, 7:00-8:50 p.m., in Room 302 . You can also attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus Orientation to Online Learning that provides Blackboard log in instructions and help, an overview of the Blackboard course management system, and tips on netiquette, time management, and study skills for the online student. 

Attend either of these sessions:

• Monday, June 15th, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Room 1618

• Tuesday, June 16th, noon-1:00 p.m. in Room 1618

Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.

How This Class Operates

This is not a self-paced class; there are due dates throughout the semester that you are expected to meet, just like in a traditional, face-to-face class.

Students are evaluated through three tests and writing assignments. Since this is an online course, you will participate weekly in an online Discussion Board series of questions for the semester. This class fills quickly; please sign up asap.

Textbook Information

The text book is The Elusive Eden, by Rice, Bullough and Orsi.  John Steinbeck's In Dubious Battle can be any edition.

How Students are Graded

You are evaluated on three exams from the text reading, online discussions and writings from In Dubious Battle.

Succeeding in an Online Course

Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, or can't use a computer too well, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.   Or, you might consider enrolling in our Introduction to Online Learning course (GNST-4910), which provides an overview of online learning and equips you to succeed in your first online class.

Don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.

Blackboard

This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the How to Begin an Online Course page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.  Students are expected to become familiar with the use and operation of Blackboard functions and are encouraged to attend an orientation session provided by the Distance Education program at Chabot College. In addition, the professor provides a general unit on "How to Navigate in Blackboard" for students to understand how to use the major features the professor employs.

Register for this course