Course Syllabus

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Syllabus: HIST 240: History of Ethnic Groups in California

Office Hours: By appointment only

Email: bolickp@smccd.edu

This course will focus on the interaction between African American, Asian American, American Indian, Latino American and European American peoples in California. During this course, students will analyze particular historical events and how the social, economic and political climate affected ethnic minorities in California. Students will also learn about the various community based organizations and movements that advocated for socio-political change in California.

Required Text Reading:

  1. Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi. Wherever There's a Fight: How Runaway Slaves, Suffragists, Immigrants, Strikers, and Poets Shaped Civil Liberties in California. Heyday, 2009.
  2. Clark Davis and David Igler, The Human Tradition in California, Deleware: SR Books, 2002.

Assignments and Grading

  1. Quizes (60% or 60pts): True/False and multiple choice. There will be several short quizzes throughout the semester. Questions for each quiz will derive from the assigned readings and materials.
  2. Discussion Forums (20% or 20 pts): Students must participate in Forum Discussions to receive this credit. There will be several Forum Discussions throughout the semester based on lecture material, assigned readings and documentaries. Additional on-line research will be necessary for some assignments.
  3.  Writing Assignments (20% or 20 pts): There will be two short essay writing assignments. Students will be required to demonstrate their critical thinking, research and analytical skills.

***Extra Credit opportunities will be announced during the semester.

Communication with Instructor:

  1. As an on-line course, our main form of communication will be through email and CANVAS. There may be additional Skype and Chat assignments that will increase student to student and student to instructor communication.
  2. I will also be available during office hours (by appointment) to meet with students in-person.
  3. Email etiquette:
  • You can address your emails to Mr. Bolick or Mr. B.
  • Always include your full name, and class Title and Number and Campus.
  • I normally check work email at least once a day during the workweek. Once in a while I will answer emails during the weekends, but if you email on a Saturday or Sunday, you may have to wait until Monday for a response.
  • If you receive a reply to a question from me, there is no need to reply “thank you” back to me.

Objectives Stated as Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate their understanding of the terms Ethnicity and Race.
  2. Demonstrate their understanding of ethnic, class and gender diversity in California
  3. Demonstrate the interrelationship between different ethnic communities in California.
  4. Demonstrate their understanding of the various social and political movements that have made significant contributions to American society.
  5. Demonstrate the similarities and differences in the patterns of immigration of various ethnic groups to California. 

Students will be required to:

  1. Narrate, describe, analyze, critique, compare and contrast written, visual and audio material.
  2. Write coherent paragraphs with clear main ideas and supporting details.
  3. Participate in a group presentation.

Make up Policy:

You must have a legitimate excuse in order to make up any class assignments, ie, being sick, car accident or family emergency.

*Make up assignments will be different from the originals.

Withdrawal Policy

If you wish to drop this class you must do so using the WebSmart system. Students will not be automatically dropped for missing class. Failure to drop in a timely manner may result in an F in the class.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism and heavy paraphrasing will not be tolerated. Students who plagiarize or heavily paraphrase may be subject to academic discipline or college expulsion. For more information check page 35 of your student catalog.

Students with Disabilities

Students with verified disabilities have the right to receive reasonable academic adjustments in order to create an educational environment where they have equal access to instruction. Please notify the instructor as soon as possible if you need certain academic adjustments. More information can be obtained at The Disability Resource Center, Building 5-132, (650) 738-4280, or http://www.skylinecollege.edu/disabilityresources/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

For an online course DRC students can expect:

  1. All assignments are typed and accompanied with an audio version.
  2. All Power Points Lectures with audio are accompanied with a written transcript of the audio.
  3. All documentaries and video clips have written captions.
  4. All PDF files are transcribed to Kurzweil and can be accessed through the DRC Learning Center.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due