California History

California History
Final Examination
Instructions: Please answer ONE of the following questions in the form of a well-constructed essay. Your essay should begin with one clear introductory
paragraph including a strong thesis statement that directly answers the question and advances a line of argument; a body of at least THREE supporting
paragraphs in which you develop a total of at least 15 concrete examples drawn from at least 8 different course materials; and a conclusion that summarizes
your argument.
Be sure to answer the whole question (all of its parts). Please provide a citation for each of your examples using simple parenthetical citation style. (as in the
Discussion Forums).
The questions:
1) According to historian Carolyn Merchant, the relationship between human societies and the bio-physical environment in California has been characterized
by a long opposition of ‘Green versus Gold,’ that is between efforts to sustainably balance human needs and natural processes (green) and efforts to manage
and manipulate natural resources for economic gain (gold). To what extent do you agree with Merchant’s interpretation? Explain.
Please develop your answer in the form of an essay focused on THREE of the following periods: (Module 1) California to 1769; (Module 2) California in the
Spanish and Mexican Eras, 1769-1848; (Module 3) California in the American Era, 1849-1900; (Module 4) California in the New Century, 1900-1940; (Module
5) Boom: California at Mid-century, 1940-1960; (Module 6) Struggles for Justice, 1950-1995.
Please discuss at least one period BEFORE 1848 and at least one AFTER 1940. Be sure to answer the whole question.
2) How did the exercise of power based on ideas about race affect economic, social, and political opportunities in California? How and why did the role of
race and power change over time? Explain.
Please develop your answer in the form of an essay focused on THREE of the following periods: (Module 1) California to 1769; (Module 2) California in the
Spanish and Mexican Eras, 1769-1848; (Module 3) California in the American Era, 1849-1900; (Module 4) California in the New Century, 1900-1940; (Module
5) Boom: California at Mid-century, 1940-1960; (Module 6) Struggles for Justice, 1950-1995.
Please discuss at least one period BEFORE 1848 and at least one AFTER 1940. Be sure to answer the whole question.
The final examination will consist of a comprehensive essay in a “take home” format.
It will be available for you to complete on Friday, July 1 from 12am through 11:59pm. You must complete and submit the exam by 11:59pm. You will submit
the assignment through the link posted under the “Final Exam” or “Assignments” tab of the course menu.
The exam will cover the course material from Modules 1-6. It will consist of ONE ESSAY question which will require you to synthesize a range of course
materials from different time periods in response to a question about one of our five main course themes: land, people, power/race, politics/government,
global connections – for more detail, see the Syllabus).
You will be asked to address the question with reference to three different periods in California History: one BEFORE 1849 (module 1 or 2), one AFTER 1940
(module 5-6) and one of your choice.
You will have the opportunity to choose ONE question to answer from a list of TWO questions.
As in your discussion forum posts and responses, you should begin with a thesis that clearly answers the question, including a line of argument. You should
support that argument with no less than 15 concrete examples drawn from at least 8 different course materials. You should cite your sources using a simple
parenthetical citation format (author, title, page/min) just like in the discussion forums.
Here are the instructions that will accompany the exam:
“Please answer ONE of the following questions in the form of a well-constructed essay. Your essay should begin with ONE clear introductory paragraph
including a strong thesis statement that directly answers the question and advances a line of argument; a body of at least THREE supporting paragraphs in
which you develop a total of at least 15 concrete examples that directly cite no less than 8 course materials; and a conclusion that summarizes your