California Literature English 12

Santa Monica High School

English Department

Instructors:  Pete Barraza / Jenna Gasparino                                            

Email: pbarraza@smmusd.org / jgasparino@smmusd.org

Course Background:

This course began by following two major perspectives about California that have evolved throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  One of these perspectives focuses on California as a tropical paradise, the end point of Manifest Destiny, the land of sunshine and surf, a place where people find stardom, a place where people reinvent themselves, a place of refuge and sanctuary, a place of cultural synthesis, and a place of ideal opportunity.  In contrast, another perspective views California as a dystopia, a site of earthquakes, El Nino, environmental pollution, race riots, unwanted immigration, poor public education, superficial celebrities, and popular fads.  We will examine the expression of these contrasting views primarily in the filed of literature, but also in the fields of history, geography, art, music, advertising, television, and film. In addition to these two major perspectives, this course has more recently evolved into an ongoing examination of the newer experiences and definitions of California as manifested in the changing voices, places, myths, policies, and trends of our golden state.  

Course Statement:

California Literature is a course that mandates close textual analysis and careful literary and genre study.  We will analyze regional works of literature while making interdisciplinary connections to California’s history, cultural fabric, politics, art, music, and development. In addition to the core prose reading, we will read short stories, poetry, historical documents, and applicable articles from the “California” section of The Los Angeles Times.  Students will also be required to read outside texts that support the theme, genre, or focus of a particular unit.  Throughout the course, students will be expected to seek out and bring to class ideas that develop based upon their changing perceptions. 

Grading Policy: Grades will be based on the total points accumulated through quizzes, participation, discussion, process papers, weekly written responses, timed writings, individual and group projects, outside reading, research assignments (including a research paper of 7-10 pages), and final exams. 

Course Readings and Units

(Fall Semester)

SAMOHI Summer Reading:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

 “Uprooting and Re-Envisioning”

Core Texts:

The Tortilla Curtain by TC Boyle (to be completed by Oct. 12^th)

Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Viramontes

“California as Eden: Dreams and Realities”

Core Text:

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

(Spring Semester)

“Defining a Place and Its People”

Core Texts:

The Pastures of Heaven by John Steinbeck

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

“The San Francisco Renaissance and The Beat Movement”

Core Text:

Dharma Bums and/or On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Howl by Allen Ginsberg

 “California Noir as Social Critique”

Core Text:

Little Scarlet by Walter Mosley