3c – Inland Areas – Redding and Cathedral City, CA

Redding and Cathedral City, California

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

See Title Above.

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_City,_California

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redding,_California

http://www.pe.com/localnews/riverside/stories/PE_News_Local_S_gayrights26.365ba4b.html

http://www.cathedralcity.gov/

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

Observing inland California is just as important to the study of the state as it is to the humanities. These last couple of sections – 3a and 3b – we had the pleasure of taking several field trips to beaches and world cities and now the opportunity presents itself to depart from the pacific region and approach the inland where one can notice a difference in geography, geology, and culture. In the field of humanities, over emphasis and accentuation on one subject or area can culminate in a lack of balance and therefore it limits the complete spectrum of a given study. Inland California may be categorized as such a place that doesn't receive this emphasis mentioned above – which the pacific does receive, think of the bay area – and which in turn will cause many to omit this culture and diversity from their picture of California. As a result, the study of inland California is important to the study of humanities because it allows us to comprehend the full breadth of what the Golden State has to offer.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:

a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
I have decided to regard Redding and Cathedral City for this weeks humanities assignment. I have conferred with others on the subject of inland California before and most assume that the inner cities are more conservative and traditional than their Pacific counterparts. This assumption in a sense is true, and according to the Inland Empire news paper The Press-Enterprise, things like gay rights and economic equality are a little harder to obtain for advocates and activists alike. These assumptions than transform into other conservative stereotypes that may possess a veritable base in other states, but lack truth in the state of California. In Redding, many like to think of it as a “western” town, with southern values. While it is indeed a western city, the idea that a place like Redding or Cathedral city are analogous to a city like Birmingham is tantamount to comparing an eastern capital with Washington D.C. Overall, while some of these assumptive observations may be true, the resulting stereotype results in an undesirable image for the inland area. Another stereotype is that these inland areas are warmer than the coast cities. This is also true because the cool air supplied by the Pacific has to flow a farther way to reach the settlements further inland.

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point
Three things that make Redding and Cathedral City similar:
Both cities have experiences substantial growth in the last few years as result of annexations.
Both cities possess a household median income at the $30,000 dollar range, with Redding at $34,194 and Cathedral City at $38,887.
Redding and Cathedral City were previously homes of Native American Indian tribes, the Wintu and the Cahuilla Indians respectively.

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

Three things that make Redding and Cathedral City different:
Redding resides in Shasta County and Cathedral City, Riverside County.
Redding has twice the population of Cathedral City, therefore a difference in size.
Cathedral City has a 328 foot elevation and Redding has a 495 foot elevation.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

Being fascinated with history, I would like to learn more about the backgrounds and beginnings of these two interesting cities. The Wintu and Cahuilla Indians are the tribes that previously occupied Redding and Cathedral City. Did these tribes assimilate into the population of the settlers or perhaps did they resist change?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

I learned from Maria's blog last week - http://mariagn.blogspot.com/2009/03/assignment-3b-la-jolla-beach-and-doran.html – that both the La Jolla beach and the Doran beach have an abundance of local visitors. This is not a common experience, because I always assumed that locals didn't visit their adjacent localities with frequency, and rather left it with the tourists. This is important to the study of humanities because it helps better understand the motive of human nature and the passage of culture between those that abode and those that are visiting. This is related to a cultural context.

Maria's blog link:

http://mariagn.blogspot.com/2009/03/assignment-3b-la-jolla-beach-and-doran.html

3b - Beaches: Half Moon Bay and Santa Monica State Beaches

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

See Title Above.

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_beaches

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Monica_State_Beach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Moon_Bay_State_Beach

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

Connecting California beaches to the study of humanities is generally more difficult than observing correlations between the humanities and other objects. If I were to select an aspect of California beaches that relates to the aforementioned study, I would probably bring notice to the beaches various and mixed nature – geographical function and recreational function – and how this may provide an outlet for human expression. Beaches have performed a service for humanity and continue to function in a similar manner today. Beaches and other analogous venues have been utilized for their recreational value as far back as Victorian England, however such a purpose was restricted due to various beliefs that pervaded the recreational activity, including the dress (for swimming) which was thought of as immodest. As will be seen, not one beach is alike another, although similarities do exist. While they all reside on the Pacific coast in California, there are many differences that can be sought. Comparisons and contrasts will be discerned using the following questions below.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:
a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

One of the interesting things about beaches is that they represent a stereotype themselves in connection to the state of California. When people cogitate, reflect, and think about California, they will usually think about the beaches and the culture that is so prevalent in popular portrayal of the state. The 1960's music group The Beach Boys are also an excellent source when pursuing the stereotypes of California beaches. Many of their songs revolve around that particular geographical concept and as a result, helped instigate the modern day notions concerning California and it's National Park system (beaches).

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

Three things that make the beaches of Santa Monica and Half Moon Bay similar are:

1. They both reside on the California's Pacific Coast.

2. These two beaches are both considered apart of the California State Park system.

3. They both possess similar amenities for the patrons.

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 pointThree things that make the beaches of Santa Monica and Half Moon Bay different include:

1. Santa Monica State Beach is in Los Angeles county and Half Moon Bay State Beach is in San Mateo county.

2. While hot weather seldom occurs at Half Moon Bay beach (69 degree Fahrenheit average) it is quite common at the Santa Monica State Beach (73.2 degree Fahrenheit average).

3. Half Moon Bay beach has been identified as a greater marine environment and habitat for wildlife than Santa Monica beach.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

I would like to be more informed about the wildlife that inhabits these various California beaches. I understand that beaches provide a function concerning recreation for Californians, but they also are important homes for the diverse wildlife that permeates their entireties. Considering the presence of wildlife in these beach regions, I was wondering whether or not sharks are a prominent problem, for an example at Santa Monica and Half Moon Bay State beaches. Are these sharks a problem for the patrons?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

Somethingng that I learned from a classmate last week concerns two cities transportation systems. According to Sierra's blog (http://sierradotcom.blogspot.com/2009/03/3a-boston-and-san-francisco.html) both San Francisco and Boston have underground transportation with similar titles used to designate the service. I can't really claim this to be a common experience, I had little opportunity so far in my twenty years of life to ride on trains or other related transportation methods. This is in relation to a cultural aspect of our study of humanities. Transportation connects people, thus it connects and assimilates culture and diversity.

Sierra's Blog Link: http://sierradotcom.blogspot.com/2009/03/3a-boston-and-san-francisco.html

3a World Cities – Sacramento and San Francisco

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

Title Above

2. Contains a web link to your locations. (eg you can use the tools in your blog where you paste your work; there is a little icon that looks like a link) .25 points

http://www.visavismag.com/content/view/439/77/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_California_(by_population)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fransico#Museums

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento,_California

3. Contains an explanation regarding how this component (any aspect of it; eg content of videos, content of websites) connects to your study of humanities. .25 point

Observing two cities can conceive many correlations in relation to humanistic studies. The comparisons and contrasts that are made can explain a substantial amount concerning the human condition and how certain regional cultures and settlements are developed. Through surveying two separate cities, several things may be realized including the causes of political leanings, historical development, and an areas ethnic background. All of these things contribute greatly to the comprehension of humanities.

4. Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:
a. What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

Some assumptions and stereotypes that people may have about Sacramento are typical for a state capital. Being the state capital of California as previously mentioned, many people might assume that Sacramento is heavily populated when in fact it only resides as number seven on the top ten list. People might also speculate that the population of the state capital is predominantly white. While this is true to an extent (whites occupy 48.29 % residency) there is a great deal of ethnic diversity with the other 51.71% of the population.

When people think of San Francisco, they usually associate it with seagulls, trolleys, fisherman's wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, et cetera. While these “stereotypes” are not necessarily incorrect, they are partially inaccurate in terms of the true contents of the bay area city.

b. List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

Three things that Sacramento and San Francisco have in common or that makes them similar includes:

1. They both possess strong ties with Spanish and Native American (indigenous) history.2.
2. They both share a Californian Mediterranean climate.
3. Also, San Francisco and Sacramento both have professional basketball teams of the NBA (Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings respectively).

c. List 3 things that make each location so different: 1 point

Three things that make Sacramento and San Francisco different includes:

1. San Francisco has nearly double the population that Sacramento possesses.
2. San Francisco has a China Town whereas Sacramento doesn't.
3. San Francisco is on a peninsula where Sacramento is situated South of the American River in the Central Valley.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about these places? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. .5 point

I would like to learn more about the cultures of these two cities. Through my reading this week, I have learned that each of the cities – San Francisco and Sacramento – possess fascinating histories and have had a profound impact from Spanish explorers. Would both of these cities be drastically different today if they were affected by another European country opposed to the Spanish?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

I learned from Kendra's blog from last week (http://kendra-human7spring09.blogspot.com/2009/02/2c-california-redwoods.html) that the tallest tree in the world is Hyperion, which stands at an astonishing 379.1 feet. This is probably a common experience because I also like to discern interesting facts about the world around us, and knowing the world's tallest tree is a pretty neat fact. I think this does relate to our studies in the humanities because it represents the human effort towards environmental preservation. This tree is related to a historical and cultural context. Redwood trees have always been deeply rooted in California history and culture. Indeed, the California state tree is the Redwood.

URL to Kendra's blog from last week: http://kendra-human7spring09.blogspot.com/2009/02/2c-california-redwoods.html

2c Clint Eastwood

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

See above title.

2. Contains the sources you used with links to these sources .25 points

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_eastwood

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Harry

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1057500/

3. Contains a brief paragraph how it connects to your study of humanities. 1 point

Humanities are the study of the human condition. Whether your studying religion, history, literature, philosophy, or the arts, you are observing the humanities. In the modern age of technology – like the Internet, television and photography – visual arts have garnered considerable prominence in recent years as important aspects of the humanities. Probably one of the most important areas of the visual arts today is film and cinema. While there exists many forgettable films, actors, and actresses, every so often the United States manages to produce a classical icon that has contributed substantially to the development of the arts. A notable example regarding the aforementioned traits is Clint Eastwood, born in San Francisco, a true and definite Californian original.

4. Contains the following "analytical elements":

a. Observation: What did you choose? What do you see or hear or feel or think of in the choice you made? What is the subject of the work? If you chose a 'thing' what is the work made of and what techniques (colors, lines, shapes, textures)does the creator use? Be specific in your description. If you chose a place, be specific in your description of what you see or hear. Talk to your reader as though they cannot see the item but somehow must draw a painting of what you see or hear. 1 point

I chose Clint Eastwood as my subject, the great American actor, director, producer, writer, and composer. I feel very sound about my choice. The visual arts (like film) are an essential component of the study of humanities and I believe that Clint Eastwood has contributed enough to the arts in a significant and relevant way to be considered a respectable representative of this area of the visual arts. As previously mentioned, the subject of my assignment this week is the distinguished film industry polymath. Clint Eastwood has used a wide assortment of techniques in his acting and directing career, from his outlaw disposition in his early Sergio Leone western films (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) to his characteristically tough persona as Harry Callahan in the Dirty Harry series. Eastwood's later directing career has allowed a lot of freedom for his versatile talents and the films that resulted have been very successful and have garnered Academy Awards for many, especially in the directing, acting, and best picture categories (Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, and Letters From Iwo Jima). As of this year (2009), Clint Eastwood has received the National Board of Review best actor award for his most recent film Gran Torino.

b. Interpretation: What is your choice about? Give specific examples to support this statement in 2 sentences; do so in a way that teaches us something about your choice. Make Paulo Freire proud! .75 point

My choice is about one of the greatest actors and directors to ever contribute to the arts. Clint Eastwood's remarkable collection of films and awards attest to this fact. Many other actors and directors have proclaimed Clint as very influential in the development of their careers (even his contemporaries like Martin Scorsese).

c. Judgment: What led you to your choice? What do you think or feel about this choice? Why do you feel this way? Support your thoughts with specific observations. .5 point

The primary impetus that led to my choice is Clint Eastwood himself. I have always enjoyed his acting, directing, writing, and music composition. Eastwood's classic movie quotations like “go ahead, make my day” are simply irresistible and never fail to elicit applause. I especially enjoy Eastwood's work when he is residing in the directors chair, the works that are produced are of an impressive caliber that stand out from the rest. Clint Eastwood and quality are seemingly inextricably linked.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about this choice? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. Example: I learned that John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath was based on his personal experience working with farm workers. I would like to know if
the characters he used in that book are fictitious or are they people he met? .5 point

If I could know more about Clint Eastwood, I would like to be more informed about Clint Eastwood's forthcoming career, and whether or not the preceding rumors are true regarding his retirement from the acting stage. Could Eastwood possibly find a supporting role in his current impending film “The Human Factor,” or has his extraordinary career reached the inevitable terminus?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

Something that I learned last week from a classmate (Cathy) was that the Exploratorium was founded in 1969 and was “dedicated to teach students hands-on” (http://cathyishuman7.blogspot.com/). I believe this is a common experience. When I went to visit the Exploratorium when I was younger, many of the exhibits are indeed meant for the utilization of ones perceptions, especially touch. The museum's founding date and its purpose does relate to humanities in a way. This foundation marks a pivotal contribution to the sciences and learning, which can culminate into the understanding of the human condition. I find the Exploratorium to be linked both culturally and historically to California. It has always existed as an integral part of San Francisco's attractions as well as having its own past (history). Blog used: http://cathyishuman7.blogspot.com/

2b California Palace of the Legion of Honor

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

Response: Title above and reads "2b California Palace of the Legion of Honor"

2. Contains the sources you used with links to these sources .25 points

Response: I used two websites for this assignment:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Palace_of_the_Legion_of_Honor

http://www.famsf.org/legion/index.asp

3. Contains a brief paragraph how it connects to your study of humanities. 1 point

Response: The California Palace of the Legion of Honor connects to the study of humanities in several important ways. As a museum of fine art, it provides much insight into European art and critical art movements in general (like Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, et cetera). These works of art and the movements that each represent are very critical for the understanding and interpretation of more specific areas in the humanities and interdisciplinary fields of study. Art is an important component of modern civilization and the Legion of Honor provides a viable means to view these fascinating pieces that serve as a pivotal conveyance of human emotion and expression. Overall, being able to appreciate and interpret art is a necessary component to fully understand the humanities. The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is an excellent place to develop and hone this appreciation.

4. Contains the following "analytical elements":

a. Observation: What did you choose? What do you see or hear or feel or think of in the choice you made? What is the subject of the work? If you chose a 'thing' what is the work made of and what techniques (colors, lines, shapes, textures)does the creator use? Be specific in your description. If you chose a place, be specific in your description of what you see or hear. Talk to your reader as though they cannot see the item but somehow must draw a painting of what you see or hear. 1 point

Response: I chose the California Palace of the Legion of Honor for my museum assignment. When I made this choice, I thought of the vast collection of art and history that the museum has available for people to observe. The artists featured are some of the worlds greatest and this respectable collection includes works from Monet, Rodin, David, Rubens, Degas, and El Greco for example. The subject of the work is very broad and includes the subjects of all the artist included within the museums confines. The 'thing' that I chose includes the utilization of many mediums, from the canvases that the paintings use to the bronze used in the construction of the various sculptures such as Auguste Rodin's The Thinker (image above). The museum itself is a ¾ scale emulation of the Palais de la Legion d'Honneur in Paris and is made of concrete, stone, and reinforcing bar. In front of the monolithic structure is a large fountain, and all of this (the museum, fountain, courtyard, et cetera) is situated prominently in Lincoln Park in the North West region of San Francisco. Depending on the day your there, you can see and hear different exhibits, from Fabergé collections to discussions about Domenikos Theotokopoulos.

b. Interpretation: What is your choice about? Give specific examples to support this statement in 2 sentences; do so in a way that teaches us something about your choice. Make Paulo Freire proud! .75 point

Response: My choice is about the museum and how it is a valuable outlet for the creative and intellectual mind. Many people these days don't bother to submerge themselves in the arts and classics. The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is an excellent place and provides many such opportunities to learn about the art of our world, something that many neglect to do.

c. Judgment: What led you to your choice? What do you think or feel about this choice? Why do you feel this way? Support your thoughts with specific observations. .5 point

Response: I had the opportunity to choose from many neat museums available to us in the state of California and out of all the choices, I decided to use the California Palace of the Legion of Honor as my subject. Considering the museum's close proximity to where I live, I thought it an excellent choice for my museum assignment. I also have an affinity for European art and this also helped in making my decision. I feel very strongly about my choice because its familiar to me and I know it has a lot to offer to people. The Legion of Honor was relatively simple to “visit” online and the tools that the website has available almost makes you feel like your actually there. Being “inside” the Legion of Honor proved to be very compelling, so I knew I had to choose this museum as my subject for this assignment.

d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about this choice? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. Example: I learned that John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath was based on his personal experience working with farm workers. I would like to know if
the characters he used in that book are fictitious or are they people he met? .5 point

Response: I would like to know more about the specifics of the museum's contents. There is many paintings, pieces of furniture, and sculpture inside the museum and I would like to learn more about these. I learned much from all of this research about the Legion of Honor. Something that I found particularly interesting was how the museum also acts as the western terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first highway to cross America. I wonder why they chose this specific location to terminate the highway rather than some other pacific region in California?

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

Response: After reading Thida's blog regarding last weeks assignment (http://missthaiteeveeblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/2a-sonoma-county.html), I learned that the Salute of The Arts in Sonoma Valley is an art festival that takes place during the summer. I found this to be a good thing to mention for this week, especially since the subject is museums and this interesting fact was about an art festival. I do think that the recognition of the arts is a common experience that I share. Having such a perception of the things that people create and give life to – things that are very important to the humanities – is something that we all need to give more attention. This does relate to the theoretical foundation of the class because like I mentioned before, the arts – whether its a festival or a museum – are very important and substantial in relation to the study of humanities. I think that this one thing relates to a cultural context. Sonoma County has always been about festivities, and the art festival mentioned above and in Thida's blog is a cultural aspect of Sonoma in general.

2a - San Bernardino, CA

Assignment Outline -

1. Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

2. Contains the sources you used with links to these sources .25 points -

3. Contains a brief paragraph how it connects to your study of humanities. 1 point

4. Contains the following "analytical elements":

a. Observation: What did you choose? What do you see or hear or feel or think of in the choice you made? What is the subject of the work? If you chose a 'thing' what is the work made of and what techniques (colors, lines, shapes, textures)does the creator use? Be specific in your description. If you chose a place, be specific in your description of what you see or hear. Talk to your reader as though they cannot see the item but somehow must draw a painting of what you see or hear. 1 point
b. Interpretation: What is your choice about? Give specific examples to support this statement in 2 sentences; do so in a way that teaches us something about your choice. Make Paulo Freire proud! .75 point
c. Judgment: What led you to your choice? What do you think or feel about this choice? Why do you feel this way? Support your thoughts with specific observations. .5 point
d. Questioning: What else would you like to know about this choice? When completing the question section, lead your audience into the question by stating a fact you do know, yet you still have the related question. This way, both your audience and you will have an educational experience. Example: I learned that John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath was based on his personal experience working with farm workers. I would like to know if the characters he used in that book are fictitious or are they people he met? .5 point

5. Using your classmates work from last week, tell us one thing you learned from 1 student. Is this one thing some common experience you share or some experience that is completely different than what you experienced? Is this one thing related to our class theoretical foundation and if so, how? Is that one thing related to historical or cultural context of this country or a different one? Link that persons blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here) . .5 point

- My Responses for Assignment 2a -

2. Works Cited:

"San Bernardino, California." Wikipedia. 16 Feb 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernardino,_California.

"County of San Bernardino, California – Official Website." sbcounty.gov. 2008. 16 Feb 2009 http://www.sbcounty.gov/.

"U.S. Route 66." Wikipedia. 2008. 16 Feb 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_66.

3. Breif Paragraph:

Choosing the city of San Bernardino, CA is an appropriate topic in relation to the study of humanities because both the county and the city of San Bernardino (in relation to the assignment 2a) encompass many of the observations and perceptions that should be made by a student in a successful study of human expression, diversity, and commonality. San Bernardino is also connected and in intimate relation to the old Route 66 (“Main Street of America), a historical highway which has made a profound impact in the development of California's disposition, character, and culture.

4. Analytical Elements:

a. For my “Place in California”, I choose the city of San Bernardino. I once lived in Southern California when I was younger and have been to this county several times during the ascendancy of my life. I haven't visited this region in recent years and personal reflection on this county now elicits much fond memory and nostalgia. When studying the humanities, more specifically the culture of California, I thought that this particular city would be an excellent place to start with this project.

San Bernardino is a true California classic which truly embodies the demographics, climate (Mediterranean), and culture that distinguishes much of California from the rest of the states. While there exists to many notable features to justifiably enumerate, one can only attempt while trying to capture the essence of a given city like San Bernardino. There exist many sights that one can witness while visiting San Bernardino. While the neighborhoods are not directly "named", it doesn't seem to deter from any sense of regional direction. One of the most distinctive and prominent features within the city's confines includes some of the now historic “Googie architecture” that can be found throughout. Such architecture is characterized by many futuristic, geometrical, and angled shapes that invoke earlier generations. San Bernardino is also known for it's California State University (CSU) and as a location of one of the several “Fox Film Theaters” built during the 1920's. Parks and recreation are distributed throughout and include the Peris Hill Park and the Glen Hellen Regional Park which contribute some necessary green to the scenery. To accent the entire experience is a rather thorough transportation system which includes an international airport and a section of old route 66.

Internet links to pictures of San Bernardino's segment of Route 66 and Googie architecture:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:OldRoute66PavementMark.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Car_Wash,_San_Bernardino,_CA.jpg

b. My choice is not about any specific park, building or monument but about a city. I believe that this specific city is a great example found in Southern California that represents substantially the California experience and culture.

c. My object of concern was chosen out of personal experience, perception, and preference. I feel sound about my choice in that San Bernardino is an excellent portrait – while not overly blatant like some other cities (Los Angeles for example) – of life and culture in California. Specific observations are not hard to discern when supporting such an argument. One only has to visit one California city (like Santa Rosa or Windsor) and compare it with another (Santa Monica or San Bernardino). The argument can definitely be devised and fought regarding the individual uniqueness found within Santa Rosa or Windsor but the same argument can be made about one of the fine cities of Southern California (like San Bernardino) or even northern cities like San Francisco. In conclusion (and keeping in ones mind that this is my personal opinion), easily the latter cities triumph in the encapsulation of the quintessence of California.

d. I would like to learn more about the features and history that give these types of cities that certain California “feel and taste.” I understand that California is marked by great diversity which may help contribute to it's distinctive atmosphere, but so are other cities in the United States (like New York City). Considering and based off the evidence of the given example that diversity is not the only factor, what makes California just that: California?

5. Considering that this is still only “week one” of the second project (2a), I will have to call upon an example from week one seeing that there exists no other appropriate precedent. For my example, I have decided to use an excerpt from Anthony Musetti's blog:

“What is the subject of the work? I see the early 1900’s architecture, I see college student strewn among the grass, and reading under trees. I hear the roaring of the USC crowd on Friday nights and the smell of the sultry Southern California air.”

I agree with Anthony Musetti's descriptive mentioning here (especially the “sultry Southern California air”). This does possess some correlation with my view of the Southern California region and atmosphere and it involves a historical context integrated with some cultural background (USC). I do believe that his blog pertains to our study of humanities and that Paulo Freire's philosophy is indeed appropriate for our course.

Assignment 1c

Two Classmates:

1 – a. Kendra lives an astounding 52.9 miles away from the main college campus and is currently taking this course because she requires more humanities classes in order to transfer to a UC.

b. Two things that I learned from Kendra's research on Paulo Freire include that Freire practiced Catholicism as a religion and that he denied Marxism as distancing him from that theological affiliation.

2 – a. Megan lives 23.3 miles away from the main college campus in Santa Rosa and is currently taking this online humanities course because it was recommended to her by a friend.

b. Two things that I learned about Freire from reading Megan's blog include his concept of “banking” which stipulated that students were like empty “accounts” that teachers “filled up” and that he wanted to learn from his students just as much as he wanted to teach them. Freire believed the teacher-student relationship to be very important and essential.

How this information will relate to our studies:

I think that observing the theories of a distinguished educator (Paulo Freire) before proceeding further into this course will establish an important structural basis. Keeping in mind his pedagogical ideas regarding how one should learn can act as a profound model throughout the duration of the class. Using his insights and ideology can perhaps “open new doors” and allow us (the students) to learn the humanities in unprecedented fashion, thus optimizing what we learn.