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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HISTD051X
Course Title (CB02)
Topics in California Political and Diplomatic History
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Examination of topics relating to California's political and diplomatic history from the time of the early Spanish explorations through the present, looking at Spanish, Mexican or United States rule.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course meets the stated goals and objectives of the history department. It is a CSU transferable stand-alone course that teaches students how to apply critical thinking skills to effectively interpret historical theory. The course provides students with the opportunity to develop analytical skills using primary and secondary historical sources. Its audience is any student wishing to enhance academic skills in support of GE classes, in the context of topics in California political and diplomatic history.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
2.0
Maximum Credit Units
2.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
24.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D261. and ESL D265., or ESL D461. and ESL D465., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Directed readings and research papers

Field study trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Oral presentation for class discussion.
  2. Maintain a course notebook.
  3. Write a final critical essay.
  4. Complete assigned reading from selected topical references.
  5. Attend Field Study.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Oral presentation to evaluate effective communication skills in analyzing the historical topic.
  2. In class written assignment to evaluate student comprehension of field study.
  3. A final critical essay to evaluate proficiency in the historical context of the topic and to synthesize personal experience with concepts from course readings and field study.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
None.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Bean, Walton, and Rawls, James J, "California: An Interpretive History." New York: McGraw Hill, 2012.
Bean, Walton. "Boss Ruef's San Francisco." Berkeley: U.C. Press, 1952.
Bolton, Herbert E. "Outpost of Empire." New York, 1939.
Chevigny, Hector. "Lost Empire, the Life and Adventures of Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov." Poertland, OR: Binfords and Mort, 1958.
Gilbert, Benjamin F. "The Governors of California...." Georgetown, California: Talisman Press, 1965.
Hakluyt, Richard, and Blacker, Irwin R. ed. "Hakluyt's Voyages...." Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin, 1981.
Harlow, Neal. "California Conquered: the Annexation of a Mexican Province." Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1989.
Merk, Frederick. "Manifest Destiny and Mission in American History." Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983.
Osio, Antonia Maria, Rose Marie Beebe and Robert M. Senkewicz eds."History of Alta California: a Memoir of Mexican California." Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1996.
Pitt, Leonard. ed. "California Controversies: Major Issues in the History of the State." Arlington Heights, IL: H. Davidson, 1987.
Rice, Richard B., Bullough, William A., Orsi, Richard J. "The Elusive Eden: A New History of California." 4th ed. New York: 2011.
Richards, Leonard L. "California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War." New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2007.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine the interaction of nation states, political entities, and special interests that have formed the historical background.
  • Examine the motivations of the political entities competing for influence during particular historical periods.
  • Analyze the outcomes of specific events and movements as they relate to both national and international political events.
  • Examine the pivotal personalities who definitively influenced events and outcomes of specific political and diplomatic initiatives during various historical periods and political movements.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of selected topics in California political and diplomatic history and evaluate their significance to California history overall.

  • Identify, evaluate, and interpret primary sources including historic sites in relation to topics in California political and diplomatic history.

  • Demonstrate historical knowledge and understanding to be better informed and intellectually engaged in California issues.

Outline

(This expanded description will detail the course for two specific topics - Topic One: Russian Incursion and Occupation; Topic Two: American Conquest.)
  1. Examine the interaction of nation states, political entities, and special interests that have formed the historical background.
    1. Russian presence in Alaska stirred the rulers of new Spain to place California in actual occupation (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    2. Strong Russian motivation to establish settlements in Northern California to trap and trade in furs with Native Americans led to conflict and eventually de facto acceptance of Russian establishments at Fort Ross, Bodega Bay, and farms inland (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    3. American explorations and fur trading incursions into California aroused resentment and fear in Californios, and illegal maritime contacts provoked equal alarm (American Conquest).
    4. United States saw California as the coveted fulfillment of its policy of westward expansion (American Conquest).
  2. Examine the motivations of the political entities competing for influence during particular historical periods.
    1. Furs were immediate economic motivation (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    2. Russians contemplating extension of Pacific ventures (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    3. Manifest Destiny and sense of national mission motivated U.S. to actively maneuver for acquisition of California, and compete for the price with Great Britain (American Conquest).
    4. Strong separatist movement among Californios impelled them to seek independence from Mexico and consider annexation to the U.S. or Britain (American Conquest).
    5. Others, especially France with its expansive activities in the Pacific, actively coveted California (American Conquest).
  3. Analyze the outcomes of specific events and movements as they relate to both national and international political events.
    1. Russia establishes settlements in Northern California (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    2. Hispanic response was to establish a Fort and Mission in Sonoma (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    3. Westward movement of Americans lured them into Mexican California for trade and settlement, and Fremont's military exploring expeditions revealed government interest (American Conquest).
    4. American settlers' Bear Flag revolt and Fremont provocation, followed by Mexican War, ended peaceful negotiation and brought military conquest of California (American Conquest).
  4. Examine the pivotal personalities who definitively influenced events and outcomes of specific political and diplomatic initiatives during various historical periods and political movements.
    1. Count Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov, emissary to California (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    2. General Mariono Vallejo, Northern California commander (Russian Incursion and Occupation).
    3. Thomas Oliver Larkin, U.S. Consul in Monterey, influenced Californios to strongly consider annexation to the U.S (American Conquest).
    4. John Charles Fremont and his Army Topographical Engineer expedition alienated Californios through his arrogance and bad judgment, thus making war inevitable (American Conquest).
    5. Generals Mariano Vallejo and Jose Castro, and Juan Alvarado and Pio Pico were major Californios who powerfully swayed the course of events for and against annexation to the United States (American Conquest) .
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