When people hear about the California Dream, images of palm trees, beaches, movie stars and a sun-drenched landscape automatically come to mind. If you visit California, you will discover that this mythology rings true; you can get a glimpse a movie star, you’ll find that the weather is great, and that much of the landscape is just beautiful. Historian James Rawls states “… that there are as many versions of the California Dream as there are dreamers…”
A piece in The Los Angeles Times about the California Dream, suggests that “California’s history comprises the dream, by arrivals from all directions, of [people seeking] a better quality of life for themselves and their families.” These “arrivals,” began with the California Gold Rush when the entire world, for the very first time, rushed into California and “jump-started the demographic destiny” of the state.
In this course, we’ll explore why people from all over the world have been lured by California’s seductive call to pursue their dreams. We’ll examine the contributions that specific groups have made to this state and we’ll also address the obstacles that these groups have faced (and, for many, still are) to attain their dreams.
Outline
In this 7 week course you will cover 6 topics:
Our first topic will examine the lure of California and we’ll try to identify the qualities that make this place special. We'll explore why people come (and keep on coming!) to California even though they don’t always get what they bargained for: as the historian James Rawls claims, there is “a paradox of expectations.”
Topic two will cover the California Gold Rush. This quest for gold was the very first time that people from all around America and the world came here to pursue their dreams. This influx of humanity forever changed the social and cultural dynamic.
Topic three delves into the Chinese influx that began during the
California Gold Rush. We’ll look at the commendable contributions
made by this group and the blatant discrimination that they faced
while successfully attaining their dreams.
Topic four examines a very different type of immigrant that settled
in California’s Central Valley. This immigrant did not come
to California from a foreign shore … he was born in America
with family and cultural roots in the poor rural South and was
known as the “Okie.”
Topic five takes a hard look into a shameful chapter of American history; the incarceration of Japanese citizens in Manzanar. We will also look at how the Japanese were originally viewed when they emigrated to California, the consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent interment of Japanese American citizens in California.
Our final topic of this course is dedicated to the Mexican immigrant in California. Every day Mexicans cross the Tijuana/California border, risking their lives in pursuit of the California Dream. In this module, we will explore why these people are willing to undertake the perilous journey to enter California illegally. We will also learn about the Mexicans’ confrontations with the California Border Patrol as they attempt to enter America illegally.
Who should take this course?
There are no entry requirements apart from an interest in understanding the complexities behind the creation of modern California.
Follow on
There is so much to know and understand about California and one course just can’t cover it all. This course will hopefully inspire you to continue your study of this subject through various books and websites recommended here. And, you can always visit California, and meet up with new friends you may find on this course.
Taking this course will also prepare you for other courses here at the New Curiosity Shop.
You will need
Browser:
PC: Netscape version 4.5 and above, Internet Explorer 5 and above
Mac OS: Netscape version 4.5 and above, Internet
Explorer 5 and above, or Safari. Browser must be set to enable
cookies.
Other browsers should work as well: enrol on the free Fire Balloon course if you are unsure.
Plug-ins: Flash Player and Quicktime.
Network connection: 56K modem minimum.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
How long is this course?
About duration hours, and we suggest you set aside about 4 hours week - but it's up to you!. You will have tutor support for ***months*** months. You wil have access to your course for a year.
Your tutor
Your tutor for this course is
Trudi
Mullerworth
.
You can find out more about her on
the Tutors page.
Further information
Read a leaflet for this course
Do you have any further questions? Visit our Contact Us page and ask away.
