Chabot College
Course Outline for History 12
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA
Fall 2004
Replaced Fall 2010
Catalog Description:
12 - History of California 3 units
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. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcome for Students:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1.
2.
explain the impact of geography on the development of California within United
States history; describe the Spanish, Mexican and American heritage that has contributed to the form and shape of California society today;
3.
4. trace the exploration and settlement of California as an enterprise of the Crown during the Spanish period, the early efforts of California toward individual enterprise and self-government status in a semi-feudal pastoral society during the
Mexican period, and the later achievements of Californians in establishing the basis of a representative government and capitalistic economy based on a system of free enterprise in the American period; explain the catalystic forces unleased by the Gold Rush, which transformed
California from a frontier mining society in 1850 to a rural agricultural-mercantile
5.
6.
7. society by 1870 to a highly diversified urbanized society with a complex agricultural-industrial economy after 1900; trace and discuss the contributions of ethnic, social, and gender groups to the development of California’s political, social, and economic institutions; identify the highly successful efforts of Californians in achieving a close functional relationship between the political, economic, and social aspects of their society; describe the California state and local government and its relationship to the United
States federal government.
Course Content:
1.
Self-discovering California - its geography, its place in the Western Hemisphere,

Chabot College
Course Outline for History 12, Page 2
Fall 2004
2.
3.
and its Pacific Rim location
Spanish exploration and settlement, 1542-1821
Mexican Revolution and California’s transformation under Mexican rule, 1821-
1848
4.
5.
6.
Mexican-American War, the Gold Rush, inclusion in the continental United States, and statehood, 1846-1850
The spread of Manifest Destiny westward to California, including its impact on the development of the transcontinental railroad and the indigenous peoples, the Gilded
Age, and the contributions of immigrants (Latinos, American-Europeans, Asians,
Pacific Islanders, African-Americans, and women), 1850-1900
The Progressive movement, including reformers, muckrakers, and the labor movement, 1870-1917
7.
8.
9.
Becoming an American and world economic and political power, 1900-2000: agriculture, water management, internal improvements, World War I and II, oil, education and technology
The drive towards social democracy, including violations of civil rights, racial discrimination and violence, the New Deal, Zoot Suit riots, braceros, Japanese internment, feminism, student movements, and labor unrest 1900-2000
General review – the role of California in United States history including, as a state in 1850 under the United States Constitution, two California State Constitutions and succeeding amendments, and the evolution of local government
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
Lectures-discussion
Class participation
Appropriate multi-media material
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments a.
Join a group of classmates to develop around specific content areas thoughts and ideas for a group presentation and written repot b.
Interview or listen to oral histories of diverse ethnic groups and present a written summary and analysis of your findings c.
Choosing from appropriate course topics, use journaling techniques to reinforce
2.
writing skills and develop student ideas
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress a.
Essays b.
Final exam
Textbook(s) (Typical):
California - An Interpretive History, W. Bean and Rawls, McGraw-Hill Publishing
Company, 2002, or latest edition.
The Elusive Eden , Richard Rice, William Bullough, Richard Orsi, McGraw-Hill Publishing
Company, 2002, or latest edition.

Chabot College
Course Outline for History 12, Page 3
Fall 2004
California – A History , Andrew Rolle, McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 2002, or latest edition.
New Directions in California History: A Book of Readings , James Rawls, McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company, 2002, or latest edition.
Document Sets for California & the West in United States History , Iris Engstrand, W.C.
Heath Publishing Company, 2002, or latest edition.
California State & Local Government in Crisis , Walter Huber, Educational Textbook
Company, 2002, or latest edition.
Special Student Materials:
None. tf: WordFiles\Hist12.doc
Revised 12-4-03