Monday, December 15, 2008

5c-Reflection

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

Christina was in group 1 and used My California authors Everett, Martinez, Morrison, See

1. What is something this classmate said about the choice that relates to any of the assignments in projects 2-3?

Christina writes about the how the Author Patt Morrison, Flirting with Urbanismo brings up that Living in Los Angeles is not a big deal and most people only work in the city and live in the suburbs. This relates back to projects 2 and 3 because many people brought up Los Angeles as being a big deal.

3. What is something different this classmate said about their choice that you did not realize before when you completed projects 2-3?

I did not realize that so few people do not actually live in the heart of LA, but in the suburbs near the city.

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

Perhaps if I had read the story from author Patt Morrison then I would have gotten a different tone from his writings. However, from what Christina writes about Patt Morrison stereotyping and generalizing I would have to agree. It is almost too easy not to stereotype a city that in many people’s eyes is rich, famous, and self involved.

5. How has project 2-3 helped you with the readings of the textbook?

Projects 2-3 has helped opened my eyes to all the different cities in California and how each city and its people are so unique.

Monday, December 8, 2008

5b-Reflection

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

I read Andrea Pruett blog on Group 3 My California authors, The Un-California by Daniel Weintraub, Rocks in the shape of Billy Martin by Deanne Stillman, How many Angels by Davin Kipen, and Centered by Veronique de Turenne.

2. What is something this classmate said about the choice that relates to any of the assignments in projects 2-3?

Andrea mentions the sterotypes that are placed on California and how many outsiders think that most places are stuck up. This sterotype was mentioned a lot in projects 2-3.

3. What is something different this classmate said about their choice that you did not realize before when you completed projects 2-3?

With the Un-California story, Andrea writes about John Burton walking around Sacramento without security. I did not realize who John Burton was until I looked it up and found out that he was a Democratic California state senator from 1996 to 2004. Burton was responsible for expanding the Cal Grant scholarship program and for requiring California business to pay for health insurance for their workers.

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea, your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

Andrea authors wrote about places in California that made an impact on them through the years. I see now that I have taken California for granted and at times was too busy to stop and just take in how beautiful California can be.

5. How has project 2-3 helped you with the readings of the textbook

It has helped me by setting the groundwork for exploring different California cities and having a better understanding about each city, so that I can better understand the perspective of each author.

Monday, November 24, 2008

5a-Group #2

1.Write the story title and author name. .25 point

An Ordinary Place
D.J. Waldie

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

The author takes you back to a time in his childhood where people where happy living the same ordinary life day after day in Lakewood, CA. He describes how it feels to be part of suburban life where each neighbor is close by, money does not seem to matter and the simplest everyday things are the greatest part of living in suburbia.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“More men than just my father have said to me that living in the suburbs gave them a life made whole and habits that did not make them feel ashamed. They knew what they found and lost” (148)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

It made me think of the small community that I grew up in, where each house was so close and was of similar models.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I never realized that suburban life style has been around for longer than I thought. I thought it was something that started in my generation.
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1.Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Almost Home

Gerald Haslam

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

The author writes about his frequent visits with his wife to their hometown in Oildale. His great-great grandfather migrated north from Mexico. The author was born in 1937 and married his wife in 1961. Although there family no longer lives in this small town, he and his wife like to walk down the streets and reminiscence about the good old days.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“We know that air pollution crates those colors, but in Oildale everything is bittersweet. It is also almost as I remember it, almost home” (157)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

The town of Oildale made me think of the town of Bakersfield because of the agriculture and steam infused petroleum.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I did not know that most of these writers are much older than I expected them to be. This specific author is 71 years old.
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1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

My Little Saigon

Anh Do

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Anh Do writes about her experience living in Little Saigon. This small Vietnamese community started in 1970’s. Her father owned the first Vietnamese newspaper. A lot of her story is about remembering what it was back then and how it has become now. Although, there are changes when she enters the market she feel like she never left Vietnam.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“You see, her soul lives here. Same with mine.”(162)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

It reminded me of China town in San Francisco. I know there are two different nationalities, but the way the author describes this small community of many immigrants trying to survive the best way they could.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I never thought of the all the situations that immigrants who came from other countries went through. The author describes her living situation and having to share a tiny rented house with not only her family, but also another family that they took in.
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1.Write the story title and author name. .25 point

The Nicest Person in San Francisco

Derek M. Powazek

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

The author writes about a very entertaining experience he had as a teenager in San Francisco. He goes on a work trip with his father and his father warns him not to go back to San Francisco, but to check out Berkeley. After a long day of running, hiding, finding, and paying, he finally returns to the hotel in one piece.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“Be good, Derek. And whatever you do, don’t go to San Francisco.” (167)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

It reminded me of that famous city one hour north of Santa Rosa, San Francisco. It is always an experience to visit. When the author got lost in the Tenderloin, I remembered a time that I also got lost. It was not fun.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I did not realize that drugs where offered so freely, and I wonder if they still are.

Monday, November 17, 2008

4c

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

My choice was compare the inland area(s) of California. Antonio and I both used Bakersfield as an inland area.

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?

We both had similar comments about the weather being hot in Bakersfield. We both also commented on the population of Bakersfield.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?

We both acknowledged that Bakersfield was a major producer of certain foods, but Antonio brought up petroleum that was new to me. In describing the stereotypes of Bakersfield, he mentioned that some might have the assumption that you bake in Bakersfield.

4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea; your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

Overall, I believe we had very similar thoughts regarding Bakersfield. Antonio mentioned he lived there for over a year, so that gave him a better understanding about the culture in this inland area. Where I have always driven past Bakersfield and saw nothing but open land.

Monday, November 10, 2008

4b-Reflection

1. Who is your classmate, what is the component category, what is the name of the choice?

Classmate-Sheena, component-3a World Cities, Los Angeles

2. What is something similar this classmate said about the choice?

Sheena and I had similar thoughts on the assumption that Los Angeles is the city that everyone goes to become a star. We both talked about the Hollywood sign and it being a historical landmark.

3. What is something different this classmate said about the choice?

Sheena gave information on the gang violence in Los Angeles where I focused on the entertainment and Hollywood glam of Los Angeles. She also wrote that Los Angeles had more media and arts. I agree with the media, but I feel as though Los Angeles may lack on the art a little bit.


4. How would you relate this to Freire's ideas regarding dialogue? For example, you went in thinking one idea; your classmate had a different idea. What new idea emerged from this process?

The idea that emerged from both of our information of Los Angeles was you got a good picture as to what Los Angeles consist of. I gave more detail on the entertainment industry, and the stereotypical Hollywood experience where Sheena gave more information on the not so heard about gang violence and its crime rate. It was made clear that while Los Angeles has its better, safer, richer areas, that it is still filled with a never-ending battle against violence.

Monday, November 3, 2008

4a-Group #2

1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Ode to Caltrans- Hector Tobar

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Ode to Caltrans is about a Guatemalan immigrant, whose parents came to live in California. Tobar describes how the roads and freeways changed over time. That there was once a time where it was not so crowded and fast passed. Now a day’s people in the Los Angeles county drive too fast and death from car related accidents are common. He talks about pollution and his child experience relating to the highways.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“The car twisted in the air like a gyroscope before landing right side up, its driver staring out at me, his eyes empty in shock. I mouthed the words “Are you okay?” as I drove past, but he didn’t answer.” (54)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

The reading made me think of when I live in Southern California a few years back. When Tobar describes how fast and aggressively some drivers can be it brought me back my first time driving those highways.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

That the pollution in Los Angeles has been bad for longer than I thought it has been. Tobar refers to a time in third grade when his teacher did an experiment to see how much carbon emissions particles would attach to a board with Vaseline.
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1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Montalvo, Myths and Dreams of Home-Thomas Steinbeck

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Steinbeck writes about all the myths that people who live outside of California believe in. he writes about literature, history and the passing and changing of time. He tells a story about his grandmother believing like many that there are little creatures smaller than most humans “The Dark Watchers” who watch over the people. His grandmother would make and leave The Dark Watcher’s baskets of food. When she would return the basket would have a small shell or a bird’s feather inside. In the end, Steinbeck believes this story, because he is in love with California.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“But the California myth has a slippery custom of reinventing itself every time you turn around. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on the newest fashion (exit stage right), the whole marvel instantly changes costume and reenters stage left.” (66)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

It made me think of California in a different light. I think people born and raised in California take it for granted. They take for granted the beauty that this state offers.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I had never realized that California had myths that people believed in. like his grandmother believing in The Dark Watchers.
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1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

The Last Little Beach Town- Edward Humes

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Humes writes about Seal Beach being the last beach town that still had all the important small town aspects that to Humes, is so important and rare. He tells a descriptive story about how he saw towns like Seal Beach become nothing more than tourist attractions and that somehow Seal Beach was saved from all of that.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“When the sun is as high as it’s going to get, it’s still slightly in front of you, so that it dazzles the eye when you stare straight out at the water.” (74)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

The way he described Seal Beach’s Main Street it reminded me of Bodega Bay's Main Street. Having visited Bodega Bay several times, I was amazed with the small town personality.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I did not know that the vision back in 1913 was for Seal Beach to become a trendy costal city.

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1. Write the story title and author name. .25 point

Surfacing-Matt Warshaw

2. Summarize the reading in one brief paragraph; be specific in your summary. Remember that your classmates will rely on you for this information. 2 percent

Warshaw writes about life as a suffer in the mid nineties. He describes this life style with such detail that you are able to envision the actual waves that his main character, Jay Moriarity, rides. Moriarity falls in love and is drawn to these big waves. In the end, this proved to be almost fatal for Moriarity. He however pulls through, gets right back up, and surfs those big waves again.

3. Which was your favorite sentence or paragraph (include entire quote; use quote marks and page number)? 1 percent

“The wave, shaped like a broad-based pyramid, grew steadily, then fringed along the crest as it intersected with the group of surfers, their arms like pinwheels as they clambered up the face and dropped, safe, down the back slope.” (81)

4. What did the reading make you think of? (be specific eg "There is a bridge in SF that spans 4 miles from SF to Oakland and in the middle of the bridge it crosses an island called Treasure Island. This story makes me think of that specific little island where I can see the entire city and bay area. That city was also in the news recently where .... ) .75 percent

This reading make me think about sharks. When Warshaw is describing Moriarity being dragged down by one of the columns, it made me think of a shark attack.

5. What is one thing you did not know before you started the reading that you now know (again, be specific using concrete examples)? 1 percent

I never understood the passion that surfers fell when riding and mastering a wave. This short story described the rush of feelings that Moriarity felt.

Monday, October 27, 2008

3c-Inland Areas

Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points


3c Inland Areas-Bakersfield vs. Palms Springs


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.hellobakersfield.com/
http://bakersfieldcvb.org/index18.php
http://www.palm-springs.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs,_California
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield,_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


Both these inland cities contribute to what makes California so unique. California is full of so many different cities. Often the California coast gets more attention from tourists, but inland areas still provided vital contributions to what makes California so special. All forms of human experience and all kinds of cultural differences make each city exceptional.
Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:
What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
Some assumptions I have of Palm Springs is the incredibly hot weather. That everywhere you look mountain and deserts surround you. Some assumptions I have about Bakersfield is that cows outnumber the human population. Another assumption I have is that vegetation outnumber stores.

List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Bakersfield enjoys and average of 300 days of sunny weather. Temperatures range from 65 to 80 degrees. Palm Springs enjoys 360 days of sunshine and temperatures run between 70 to 100 degrees.

2. The city Bakersfield was established by a man named Baker in the 1860’s. The U.S. Government first surveyed Palm Springs in the 1860’s.


3. Bakersfield median income for a family is $45,556. Palm Springs average median income for a family is $45,318.


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


1.Bakersfield population is 328,692 and is the 58th largest city in the United States. Palm Springs population is 42,807.

2. Bakersfield is known today as the third-largest country music presence in country. Palm Spring international film festival hosts many red-carpet affairs.


3. Kern County (Bakersfield) is most popular for: Almonds, Grapes, Milk, carrots, and citrus. The most popular mayor in Palm Springs history has been Sonny Bono.

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

Since Bakersfield has a larger population, I wonder which city is more popular as far as tourism goes.


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 from 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 person’s blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here). .5 point

I looked at Jeana’s blog where she compared Bodega Beach to Newport Beach. I learned that both have very different weather and the younger crowd primarily occupies Newport Beach. Both beaches incidentally are located resort towns. These two beaches are related to both historical and cultural context of this class.

http://jeana-human7.blogspot.com/2008/10/3b-beaches.html

Monday, October 20, 2008

3b-Beaches

Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

3b-Beaches
Pacific Beach & Newport Beach

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.beachcalifornia.com/sitelist.html
http://www.pacificbeach.org/visitorinfo/index.htm
http://www.pacificbeach.org/history/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Beach,_San_Diego,_California
http://www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/pb.shtml
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/newport.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Beach
http://www.pubclub.com/losangeles/newport.htm
http://homes.point2.com/Neighborhood/US/California/San-Diego-County/San-Diego/Pacific-Beach-Demographics.aspx

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

These two beaches connect to our study of humanities because these two popular beaches are what bring vacationers to California. When vacationers visit, they get to experience the beautiful sunny weather that those who live in Southern California get to experience on a daily basis.
Contains the following elements that will be used in upcoming projects for analytical purposes:
What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point
Like most Southern California beaches, there is always the assumption that surfers are enjoying the waves and blonde tan babes are laying in the sun working on those tans. Alcohol is passed around as if it was water and beautiful women are running in the sand. The picture that comes to mind is the television show Baywatch.

List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Both beaches are located in sunny Southern California.

2. Both beaches have fabulous restaurants and exciting nightlife such as the bars, Typhoon saloon and Moon doggies in Pacific Beach. Newport Beach had the popular Sharkeez and Woody's Wharf.

3. Both beaches experience strong rip currents


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

1. The medium average house price is $ 630,000
2. Pacific Beach was founded in 1887.
3. The population for Pacific Beach is 43,586.
4. Surfing is prohibited at Pacific Beach in designated areas and scuba diving is not recommended because of lack of sea life and heavy water activity.

1. Newport Beach is home to some of the most expensive 2 million dollars and up homes in Southern California.
2. Newport Beach was incorporated in 1906 with a population of 206.
3. The population for Newport Beach is 73,453.
4. Newport Beach was home to actors John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart. NBA player Kobe Bryant and retired NBA player Dennis Rodman.

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 wonder if vacationers had to choose one location to visit which would be more popular.

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

What I learned from Carly’s work from last week is that both San Francisco and Atlanta have fortune 500 companies and both are considered major metropolitan areas. These two facts are both related to the historical and cultural context for this country.

http://carlyosblog.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 13, 2008

3a World Cities-Los Angeles & New York City

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

3a World Cities-Los Angeles & New York City

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.discoverlosangeles.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles,_California
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City
http://gonyc.about.com/od/bestofnewyorkcity/tp/topattractions.htm

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

Both of these cities connect to our study of humanities because even though there are similarities there are also many differences that make each city unique. Each city has a different culture that is important for outsiders to understand.

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

What are some assumptions/stereotypes you think people have of each location: 1 point

When I think of Los Angeles, my first stereotype is every woman has had some form of plastic surgery. That everyone who lives in LA has a dream to become famous or work for the famous. That LA is the moneymaking capital of California. The beaches are full of blonde beauties with huge breast and suffers in the ocean.

When I think of New York City, I think of busy streets full of taxicabs and stockbrokers on every corner. A huge assumption is that New Yorkers are rude and loud and want it their way or no way. The word pushy and aggressive comes to mind to define New Yorkers.
List 3 things that make each location similar: 1 point

1. Each has amazing nightlife activities that involve shows, clubs, and amazing restaurants.

2. Both Los Angeles and New York have remarkable the top designers that are carried in specialty stores, like Gucci, Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel.

3. Both cities have remarkable landmarks that keep the tourists coming every year. Some of the landmarks are the Hollywood sign, the Kodak Theater and Hollywood for Los Angeles and popular landmarks for New York are the Empire State building, the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

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

1. New York has the ever so popular fashion week where as LA does not.

2. Los Angeles has an estimated population of 3.8 million and New York City has a population estimated at 8.2 million and is considered the city that never sleeps.

3. New York City has an amazing history dating back to 1788 when New York became a part of the United States. The Statue of Liberty welcomed millions of immigrants. Los Angeles history dates back to 1850 after the Mexican/American war was won and California and Los Angeles was granted to be part of the United States. Los Angeles is the leader of producing popular entertainment such as movies, television and music.

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

Since both cities are so popular in the United States I wonder which city most people would want to live.

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 person’s blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here). .5 point

I viewed Alissa and I learned that the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. A common experience that I shared with Alissa is that in my 25 years of living in Sonoma County I have never walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is related to our historical and cultural country because it is what makes San Francisco so popular.


http://mslisss.blogspot.com/2008/10/assignment-2c-golden-gate-bridge.html

Monday, October 6, 2008

Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

2c-Hollywood

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood
http://www.hollywoodsign.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame
http://www.laist.com/2008/02/09/la_landmarks_th.php

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

Hollywood connects to our study of humanities because it is such a huge part of why many people want to visit California. Since Hollywood is known as a star town there is countless number of jobs in the entertainment industry. Hollywood has made many actors, producers, directors, photographers, hairdressers, and make-up artists’ dreams come true. From the golden age of Hollywood glam that made Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor starlets to the new crazed paparazzi that follows Britney Spears and Paris Hilton around.

Contains the following "analytical elements":

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 selected Hollywood because it is what makes Southern California so popular. Hollywood is often referred to as tinsletown because of all the glitz and glamour of the fast pace town where on every corner you see 100,000 thousand dollar cars driven by the rich and the famous. Way up on Mt. Cahuenga is the most famous, the most popular symbol that makes Hollywood legendary. The Hollywood Sign was created in 1923. Since then it has made Hollywood a famous landmark. The sign once read Hollywoodland, but land was removed in 1949 after the Chamber of Commerce took over caring for the celebrated sign. The sign was named Los Angeles Cultural Monument #111 in 1973.

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

Although a lot Hollywood’s movie industry has moved to surrounding cities, Hollywood still had that appealing glamour that it had in the fifty years ago. The Hollywood walk of fame was created in 1958 and since then countless number of entertainers have had their name on the walk of fame.

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
What led me to my choice was when I think of Las Angeles I think of movies, of celebrities and of the amazing stores that one day I wish to be able to afford to shop in. I feel fantastic about my choice because Hollywood is a legendary town in California.

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

The Hollywood walk of fame has numerous travelers that visit their favorite celebrity star. I would like to know whose star is the most famous and visited on the walk of fame.

4. 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 viewed Russell blog and he did his on California African American Museum. I learned that this museum is public friendly and has over 20,000 books to do research with. It is related to our class theoretical foundations because the African American culture has been a big part of California history.

http://russdabus44.blogspot.com/2008/09/2b-california-african-american-museum.html

Monday, September 29, 2008

2b- The California State Military Museum

Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points

The California State Military Museum

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

http://www.militarymuseum.org/
http://www.militarymuseum.org/History.html
http://www.militarymuseum.org/WallOfHonor.html
http://www.militarymuseum.org/History1906.html

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

Military history is very important and connects to our study of humanities because it is a part of our history that should never be forgotten. Many artist and writers have done some amazing work telling the stories of the many brave men and women who have fought for our freedom. California has a long military history that is important for us to remember.

Contains the following "analytical elements":
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 The California State Military Museum located in the Sacramento Historical Park. It is just couple of blocks from the state capital. The museum opened in 1991, by then Governor Pete Wilson. This museum holds 30,000 military artifacts. One important aspect to this museum is the wall of honors for those who have given their life to the war on terrorism. This wall will contain in chronological order the names, ranks, and age of those who died so that we may live. Some of these 30,000 artifacts come from the California Mexican war, Civil war, WWI, WW2, and the Koran war. These artifacts range from the guns, swords, cannons, uniforms, flags, and letters.

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 honor, duty and the pursuit for freedom in a world that tends to forget these concepts. An example of duty would be the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. More than 4,000 troops help the struggling people of San Francisco. This was a time when countless number of people had no clothes, shelter, and food. The military help the firefighters put out fires, and helped the police protect building from loitering.

During the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, more than 10,000 troops from the California National Guard, 2,000 component soldiers, and 1,500 Marines help with these riots. The LA riots were the most destructive civil disturbance in the United States history. These brave man and women helped the police officer contain the riots that caused 54 deaths and 800 million in property damage.

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
I thought it would be an interesting museum to read and learn about. I feel that my choice is an important so that people can have a better understanding and respect toward the military. Often people forget that these brave men and women are just doing what they are told to do. In the face of danger and death, they walk brave and stand up for those who cannot. All the while not being paid nearly enough for the sacrifices that they make for our freedom.

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

I learned that the Museum houses more than 30,000 artifacts. I would like to know how many more artifacts are floating around 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

I read Nicolette blog and the one thing I experienced was which was similar was when she described Yosemite as “appreciating nature’s unique ability to create perfection.” Often nature is overlook by the busy city people. This quote defines Yosemite for all that it is. Nature is beautiful and should be preserved not cut down. This is related to the historical context of this country because many people come to visit California for this national park.

http://ichbinfreiburger.blogspot.com/2008/09/2a-yosemite.html

Monday, September 22, 2008

2a -Sonoma Cost-Pebble Beach

Contains a title using the format listed above .25 points
The Sonoma Coast-Pebble Beach

Contains the sources you used with links to these sources .25 points
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/pebble-beach-sonoma.html
http://sonic.net/~rocky/scsearanch.htm
http://www.russianrivertravel.com/parks-sonomacoast.htm

Contains a brief paragraph how it connects to your study of humanities. 1 point
My choice connects to humanities study because the Sonoma Coast is one of the natural beauties that make Northern California so appealing to many travelers. I am sure that many writers and artists have come to visit the Sonoma Coast and seen its beauty and did some amazing work.
Contains the following "analytical elements":

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 the Pebble Beach on Sonoma’s coast. Often confused for Monterey’s Pebble Beach. What I feel about the choice I made is endless intimidating beauty. The ocean is such a large open space that seems endless. The open water is great mass of a blue gray color. This beach is one of the smaller public beaches that are located in the upscale community of Sea Ranch. Parking is very limited and usually full because of the countless number of visitors. Pebble beach always faces to the west and its waters are shallow for hundreds of yards off shore. The beautiful of the Sonoma Coast and Pebble Beach is why so many people come visit California. Often the Coast is cooler, but worth the trip every time. The air you breathe is cleaner and so fresh.

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 a place that is close to many people’s heart. California’s have been given a special gift. This gift is the Pacific Ocean and all its glory. Often people take for granted the fact that we have even seen the ocean. There is countless number of people who have never and will never get to experience the Pacific Ocean.

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

What led me to my choice was after I began to think about what makes California so special to me. The Sonoma coast and its beaches are different from other beaches in California. Especially the beaches in Southern California. The way their different is that, it does not need to be a hot sunny day to be able to have fun and appreciate its beauty. The cooler temperature makes you realize that life is beautiful and we should appreciate the fact that we are alive and able to experience such a tremendous phenomena of open endless water. The cooler temperature is also a nice escape from the heat of inland communities.

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

I learned that there is a limit of eight abalone you are able to dive for at this beach. I would like to know if that is the same for every beach on the Sonoma Coast?

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 person’s blog to this entry (eg cut paste that blog entry here). .5 point

I read Anna’s blog and what stood out to me was that one of Paulo Freire theories was the “banking” concept. It makes a lot of sense to think of students as empty bank accounts. As they learn more information, it is deposited into their minds. This is related to our class foundation because it involves learning and depositing this knowledge, which is learned. Although Freire came from Brazil, his concept does relate to this country as well as many others countries.

Anna’s Blog

Paulo Freire was an educationalist. His life was dedicated to education. Throughout his life, he wrote many books that changed how some viewed school and education. His most famous book is titled Pedagogy of the Oppressed. At first, it was only written in Portuguese and then it was translated into Spanish and English. His theories reached the whole world and my schools were formed using his theories.
One of those theories is his idea of what he called the "banking" concept. As Mark Smith brought out on www.infed.org/thinkers/et-freir.htm, this term "banking" meant that students were viewed as empty bank accounts ready to be filled with knowledge and information by the teacher. Paulo Freire also noticed that the teacher-student relationship needed constant feedback. He thought that the teacher was not only to impart the student with information but that the teacher would also have to learn from the student and thus become a learning teacher.
This "banking" concept also leads into another idea of Freire's. To quote Mark Smith, "Paulo believes dialogue involves respect. It should not involve one person acting on another, but rather people working with each other."He believed that dialogue is very important and that it can have the power to change things. The quote makes it seem like there is a strong sense of community and people working together to achieve something great. Paulo Freire wanted to change schools for the better make them a place to learn and become educated. And although he died, the ideas that he spread around continue to live on.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Assignment 1c

The first classmate page I read was Jeana. I learned that when she thinks of California she thinks of the beautiful mountains, rivers and beaches. I learned that Paulo Freire goal was to encourage pupils to think for themselves and to not accept everything that was taught to them as the absolute truth. Another thing I learned was Paulo Freire thought that education should be based on a deeper purpose than solely acquiring knowledge instead; education should be used to prepare students to make a difference in the world. This can relate to this class because the more information that we learn about gives us the opportunity to make a difference in our life and community.

The second classmate page I read was Colleen. She is an artist and a philosopher. I learned that Paulo Freire criticized the banking in education. This consist of a one sided way that teachers deposit information to students that lacks any critical thinking. I also learned that Paulo Freire grew up in Brazil during a time when there was a huge gap in education for Brazilians. Colleen also wrote a beautiful sentence about when we respect everyone’s views and take in, and learn from one another than humanity can flourish. I think this is great idea that can relate to this class. Education is all about learning to be respectful of others views. If more people can think like this than maybe this would has a chance of survival.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Assignment 1b

Paulo Freire’s (1927-1997) has been called one of the most influential thinkers about education (Smith, M.K., 1997, 2002.) During his lifetime, Paulo Freire dealt with the experiences of the great depression. Incidentally, these experiences of hunger and poverty shaped his way of thinking and made him a strong thinker. Instead of practicing law, he became a teacher to secondary school and taught Portuguese. In 1946, he was appointed Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Social Service in Brazil. This is where he began to use liberation theology. In 1962, while the director of the Department of Cultural Extension of Recife University, he taught 300 sugarcane workers to read and write in 45 days. In 1964, he was imprisoned by a military coup. Later he was exiled and began working for the Christian Democratic Agrarian Reform Movement and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United, in Chile. In 1967, he published his first book, Education as the Practice of Freedom, and following that book, he wrote Pedagogy of the Oppressed in 1968. This ended up being his most famous book. He was then offered a visiting professorship at Harvard the following year. After a year, Freire then moved to Switzerland and worked as a special education adviser to the World Council of Churches. In 1980, he moved back to Brazil and in 1988 was appointed Secretary of Education for Sao Paulo.

Freire did some amazing work with his campaign “Bare feet can also learn to read” this is where he taught the sugarcane workers to read and write. This program indented to teach five million adults to be literate. This was during a time where only literate adults were able to vote. This scared the landowners that the peasants would soon begin to vote against them. This was when Freire was imprisoned and then later exiled.

Freire goals were to bring education to the poor and illiterate. He had such an impact that in Africa they were willing to adapt Freire’s methods to teach at a national level non-formal adult education. The way Latin American and Africa took, Freire’s methods to break away from political and economical oppression many industrial societies have taken his methods as a tool for political empowerment. Freire felt that dialog was an existential necessity because some much of human contact is done with language and speaking.

Work Cited

Freire, Paulo. "Chapter 3." Foreword. Pedagogy of the Oppressed. By Freire. 8 Sept. 2008 http://www.marxists.org/subject/education/freire/pedagogy/ch03.htm.

Paulo Freire. 29 Aug. 2008. Wikipedia. 8 Sept. 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Paulo_Freire.

"Paulo Freire's Work." Paulo Freire Institute. UCLA. 8 Sept. 2008 http://www.paulofreireinstitute.org/.

Smith, Mark K. "Paulo Freire and informal education." Paulo Freire . 2 July 2008. The Encyclopedia of Informal Education. 8 Sept. 2008 http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-freir.htm.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Assignment 1a

1. Jessica
2. I am taking this class to fulfill the requirement to transfer to Sonoma State. I am not sure what I hope to learn yet. This is my first Humanities class.
3. I live 5.41 miles from the JC campus.
4. When I think of California, I think of liberal accepting people. Yes, it does differ from what non-Californians think because California is a liberal accepting state with all kinds of different cultures and people.
5. The only blog or webpage I have created has been a MySpace page.