The California History Center academic program serves as the vital link in the partnership between the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and the California History Center Foundation. On average, 20 academic courses are offered each year through the CHC program. Courses are offered during the day, evening, and on weekends, and most courses are transferable to four-year institutions as electives.

California History Center - Winter Quarter 2011

The following courses will be offered Winter quarter 2011 through the California History Center. Please see the History Department class listings section of the Schedule of Classes.

To sign up for a class, apply for admission and register online. For more information or questions, call the center at 408.864.8712.

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Felling the Redwood: Mill Towns of the Bay Region

Course: HIST-107X-95, 2 Units
Instructor: Chatham Forbes

Exclusive to California, the redwoods are valuable as lumber, and precious environmentally and aesthetically. Early exploitation has given way to a consensus for protection and conservation. Many Bay Area cities began as mill towns in the 19th century era of rapid growth.

Lectures: Thursdays, January 27 and February 10, 6:30-10 p.m., CHC
Field Studies: Saturdays, February 5 and 19, TBA

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Steinbeck Country: Salinas and Monterey in the Early 20th Century

Course: HIST-107X-96, 2 Units
Instructor: Chatham Forbes

John Steinbeck’s Monterey County home region was formative to his personality and career. A place of great beauty, it has also been important in the political and economic life of California.

Lectures: Thursdays, February 24 and March17, 6:30-10 p.m., CHC
Field Studies: Saturdays, March 5 and 19, TBA

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Local History through Oral History

Course: HIST-107X-97, 2 Units
Instructor: Anne Hickling

Learn the history of local people and communities and help capture it. As you listen to and record life stories of Santa Clara Valley/Silicon Valley residents, specific topics will emerge including family life and family economics, immigration, education, employment, labor and business history, and military service, along with stories from agriculture, mining, technology, the arts and religious life. The instructor will provide local historical context as well as question development and interviewing techniques. Student field study will consist of oral history preparation and interviewing of a resident of the Santa Clara Valley. Community service credit will be awarded. Sharing of completed oral histories will be the emphasis of the last class.

Lectures: Wednesdays, January 19, February 2, and March 9, 6:30-10 p.m., CHC
Field Studies: February 19

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Angel Island: Historical Perspectives on an Immigration Processing Station

Course: HIST-53X-95, 2 Units
Instructor: Mary Jo Ignoffo

Angel Island, located in San Francisco Bay, was the processing station for more than one million immigrants from Asia between 1910 and 1940. Some immigrants were forced to spend years on the island awaiting admission to the U.S. This course will explore the social and legal barriers to entry from Asia in the early twentieth century, examine historical documents to evaluate the process, and assess the day-to-day life of those detained there. Other aspects of the island’s history will be discussed. During the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II, Angel Island was used by the U.S. military to process soldiers. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held at Angel Island. The island has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Since 1954, it has been a California State Park.

Lectures: Wednesdays, January 26 and February 9, 6:30-10 p.m., CHC
Field studies: February 4 and 12

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Cesar Chavez and La Causa

Course: HIST-54X-95, 2 Units
Instructor: Rashi Jackman

Who was Cesar Chavez? How did the reform movement he spearheaded evolve? What forces of opposition and collaboration did Chavez encounter at the local and state level? This class will look at Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers’ (UFW) fight for social justice. By exploring where the UFW was successful and where it fell short of its goals, we will gain an appreciation of how Cesar Chavez successfully fused the issues of civil and human rights through a campaign of grass-roots activism.

Lectures/Field Study: Thursdays, January 20, February 3, 17 and March 3, 6:30-10 p.m., CHC

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