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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
HISTD055C
Course Title (CB02)
Historical Surveys of California's Environments
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Examination of topics relating to California's environmental challenges throughout its history from the time of the indigenous people until the present day.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is a CSU-transferable and 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 historical surveys of California's environments.

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

In-class essays

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Critical essay on aspects of Californa's environments.
  2. Quiz on locations of endangered landscapes in California.
  3. Interpretive essay on results of field study.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams or quizzes to evaluate understanding of key terms and concepts.
  2. Participation in class discussion to evaluate ability to communicate competence in the subject.
  3. Written assignments to evaluate ability to analyze historical data.
  4. Oral presentations to evaluate ability to adapt historical knowledge to a given audience.
  5. Final exam, project or paper

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

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

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Bruce Pavlik, The California Deserts: An Ecological Rediscovery, 2008.
Ken G. Lightfoot and Otis Parrish, California Indians and Their Environment, 2009
John Muir, The Mountains of California, 2017, c1894.
Thomas Heberlein, Navigating Environmental Attitudes, 2012

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Andrew Rolle and Arthur Verge, California A History, 2008
Kevin Starr, California: A History, 2007

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify important events and dates in California's environmental history.
  • Assess the contributions of various advocates of California's environmental history.
  • Discuss conflicts and collaborations of individuals and groups addressing California's ecology.
  • Identify various successes and failures of California's environmental movements.

CSLOs

  • Comprehend and demonstrate knowledge of the history of California's environmental issues.

  • Identify, evaluate, and interpret primary sources on California's environment.

Outline

  1. Identify important events and dates in California's environmental history.
    1. Create a timeline of major environmental events and legislation from the founding of the Sierra Club to present day.
    2. List California's environmental crises of the 20th century.
    3. Date the beginning of the California Coastal Commission.
  2. Assess the contributions of various advocates of California's environmental history.
    1. Contributions made to California's environmental history by Andrew P. Hill
    2. Contributions made to California's environmental history by Carrie Stevens Walter
  3. Discuss conflicts and collaborations of individuals and groups addressing California's ecology.
    1. Detail the impact of Gold mining during the California Gold Rush of 1849.
    2. Oakland's Lake Merritt becomes the first wildlife refuge in the United States
    3. Indian communities and their interactions with the environment.
    4. Spanish exploration and the introduction of domestic animals to California's envirnoment.
    5. Contemporary disputes over California's environmental laws.
  4. Identify various successes and failures of California's environmental movements.
    1. Analyze the successes and failures of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
    2. Analyze the successes and failures of the identification of Superfund sites.
    3. Analyze the successes and failures of the Peripheral Canal.
    4. Analyze the successes and failures of Devil's Slide.
    5. Analyze successes and failures of activism regarding issues of environmental racism and classism at Kettleman City, California, with regard to location of waste management facilities
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