HIST 210 History of California

Oranges, palm trees, earthquakes - California is so easily summarized by a few vivid images. Yet, the history of the Golden State is even more active and vibrant than these iconic symbols suggest. In this course, we will witness the clash of colonial empires and the effects on the people caught in the crossfire; we will trace the modernization and urbanization of the state revolving around the dizzying rise of bawdy and wild San Francisco on the spoils of the Gold Rush; we will observe repeated clashes over resources and political will, following the paths of the utopians who wished to remake the society on the Pacific; we will visit the changing landscape of dreams and fantasy, from Hollywood to Disneyland; and we will, ourselves, engage with contemporary battles over public space, racial identity, and suburban sprawl. And yes, there will indeed be oranges, palm trees, and earthquakes playing their roles in this complex and varied story, as well. This survey course covers the entire sweep of the history of California, although it places particular emphasis on the past hundred years, and on urban Southern California, in particular.