California Literature Experience

Field Trip Alternate Assignment

 

Directions:  For this assignment you will be asked to visit a series of places, both virtually and physically, in order to complete your culminating experience in the California Literature course.  Because you are unable to participate in the course field trip, it is up to you to make this alternative experience as fulfilling as possible.  Ideally, the goal is for you to get out and visit some local venues that will provide similar experiences that are offered on the actual CA Lit. trip; however, because this isn’t possible for every student, we will allow some of these assignments to be done virtually.  There are three aspects of the assignment: (1.) Field Notes for Defining a Place, (2) Reflective Analysis, and (3) Creative Expression.  Please read through the descriptions carefully before completing each task.

 

1.  Field Notes for Defining a Place: 

One of the goals for the CA Lit course and for the trip is to give you an opportunity to explore what defines a particular place.  What contributing factors affect and influence how we perceive the locale of a community? As you travel through the many diverse locations on this journey use the following pages to take notes on what you “see.”  Similar to the literal and metaphorical observations of the tide pools by Doc (Ed Ricketts), pay close attention to how ALL organisms contribute to the make up of these various “microcosms.”

*  Things to consider in your notes:  architecture, landscape, people (age, race, sex, etc), businesses, community services, any emotions you experience in regard to that place (Could you live here? Could you go to school here?), and sensory details that may contribute to what defines a particular place. Although you may not be able to incorporate all elements for every place, consider how your initial impressions change and become more concrete through your experience of each particular location.

 

2. Reflective Analysis:

The CA Lit. course and trip allows for an opportunity for you to reflect and respond to your own experiences as a Californian.  Throughout your individual journey, use these responses as a place to react to your various encounters (both textual and experiential) and to make connections to your own path. 

 

3. Creative Expression:

Using your field notes, discussions, and observations to creatively express your perspective on the experience.  In this assignment be sure to capture the essence of what we call “place.” You can do this using various strategies and techniques.  Consider those that we have encountered throughout the school year as well as the many themes that we have explored. This could be written from multiple perspectives. (Use the list below as a guide; however, tap into your own creative spirit in this assignment and have fun.)

 

*Poetry, Short story, personal narrative or memoir, letter to a stranger that you observed, list of questions to the founder of a place, illustration / sketch / or symbolic representation of this place. 

Introduction

 

“Reflective Analysis”

 

“A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”  -Steinbeck from Travels with Charlie 

 

Read the first chapter of Travels with Charlie.  Explain Steinbeck’s reason behind taking his own cross-country trek. What kinds of expectations does he have for his journey? Although this journey is, unfortunately, separate from the larger groups’ CA Lit trip, what expectations do you have for your journey?  What are some connections that you would like to make and goals that you would like to meet by the end of the trip?  How can Steinbeck’s attitude illustrated in Travels with Charlie affect your own ? Feel free to include any other thoughts you may have as we begin this experience. 

 

Part I: The Origins and Accessibility of Our Food

 

In this section you will explore and reflect on the origins of our food in CA. Visit the following websites and ONE local farmer’s market, local farm, or festival, and complete the “Field Notes – Description of Place” In your notes be sure to compare / contrast each place. Then complete the assignments that follow for Part I. You will use the websites on Oil and Water for the Analysis Assignment

 

Food:

Harry’s Berries:  

http://www.harrysberries.com/

 

San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market:

http://www.slocountyfarmers.org/

 

Earthbound Organic Farm:

http://www.ebfarm.com/

 

Farmer’s Market, Farms, and Festivals Directory: (You must visit at least one) http://www.farmersmarketonline.com/fm/California.htm

 

Oxnard Strawberry Festival:

http://www.strawberry-fest.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “Field Notes on Defining A Place”

 

Virtual Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical Notes: (Make sure to include name, location, and time)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Reflective Analysis”

 

Read and mark up the essay California Indians as Capable Resource Managers by Arthur McEvoy.  Examine how the indigenous people of California used the surrounding resources. Is studying a native society at all relevant to our modern society?  What can it tell us about ourselves? Are there connections that can be drawn between this text and the current, progressive approaches to managing and consuming our resources (particularly our food)?  Please explain any connections that you’ve made as well as questions or concerns that you have regarding any of your experiences. 

 

 

Response:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Creative Expression #1”

Use the space below, back of the page, or additional pages to complete the Creative Expression based on your first experiences. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II: The Origin, History and Use of Our Natural Resources

 

In this section you will explore and reflect on the origins and history of our natural resources in CA.  First, read the excerpt from Oil by Upton Sinclair. Then, find time to watch the film There Will Be Blood.  Finally, use the following websites to complete the Reflective Analysis assignment on the use of our natural resources. To complete your experience take time to go and visit the National Geographic exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography on Water.

 

Oil:

Oil Discussion Guide:

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/oil.html

 

The Will Be Blood Discussion Guide:

http://www.faith-film-philosophy.com/resources/films/there-will-be-blood.html

 

An interview with Director Paul Thomas Anderson and Actor Daniel Day Lewis.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/8845

 

 

 

Water:

CA Water Crisis

http://www.calwatercrisis.org/media/ACWA_Crisis.wmv

 

http://www.calwatercrisis.org/media/ACWA_Crisis.wmv

 

Liquid Assets: A Documentary

http://www.liquidassets.psu.edu/

 

The Annenberg Space for Photography: Exhibit on Water

http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/

 “Reflective Analysis and Response”

Read and mark up the excerpt from Oil by Upton Sinclair.  Also, find time to watch the movie There Will Be Blood. Then visit the websites on the war for water in CA.  Be sure to watch the five-minute documentary on the CA water crisis and the clips from the documentary Liquid Assets. Use the space below to respond / react to all of the sources.  Consider the discussion questions for both Oil and There Will Be Blood as well as the interview with the film makers in your response.  Make sure to address the connections to CA in each of these pieces.  What do each reflect on the early development of CA and the use of our resource?  What resulting problems have occurred? Also, address any connections to other texts that we have read this year.

 

Response:

 

“Creative Expression #2”

Use the space below, back of the page, or additional pages to complete the Creative Expression based on your first experiences. 

Part III: The Preservation of our Landscape / Seascape

 

In this section you will take a look at the natural aspects of CA, how we have impacted these worlds, and how we have generated methods of controlling and manipulating these various environments. At times, these methods of preservation have often been counter-productive (for example, entrapping a marine mammal for the use of science, or opening a National park to thousands of visitors each year). Is this really “preservation”? What has mans’ influence been on these environments?  Are there alternatives to the choices that we have made that would serve as more effective modes of restoring the natural habitats? Take into consideration the human impact on the natural environment in both rural and urban landscape and seascape.  

 

Visit the following websites as well as THREE actual locations:

 

Seascape:

 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/aa/

 

The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific:

http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/

 

Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier:

http://www.healthebay.org/smpa/about/default.asp

 

Point Lobos State Reserve:

http://www.pointlobos.org/

 

Beaches / Tide Pools:

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/

 

 

Landscape:

 

CA Dept of Tourism List of State and Local Parks:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/

 

Death Valley National Park:

http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

 

San Joaquin County:

http://www.sjgov.org/

 

Yosmite National Park:

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/info/yosemite/index.php

 

“Field Notes on Defining A Place”

 

Virtual Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical Notes: (Make sure to include name, location, and time)

 

“Reflective Analysis and Response”

 

Read the excerpt from The Yosemite written in 1912 by John Muir, naturalist, backpacker, and journalist who made extensive trips across the continent, usually on foot, settling in CA in 1868.  Robinson Jeffers was a well-known poet and environmentalist who illustrated the natural world of the Central Coast in his work.  Visit the Jeffers website and read and explore Jeffers poetry (Be sure to take a virtual tour of the Tor House).  In your response, make connections and comparisons to these authors experiences and your own.  How might they respond to the changes in these environments? Use the space below to respond / react to all of the sources.

 

Jeffers Website:

http://www.torhouse.org/index.htm

 

Yosemite National Park:

http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/info/yosemite/index.php

 

Response:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Creative Expression #3”

Use the space below, back of the page, or additional pages to complete the Creative Expression based on your first experiences. 

 

 

Part IV: Community Interactions

 

In this section you will explore and reflect on the role of the individual on the greater community.  You will visit a variety of local community enclaves that make up the greater community of Los Angeles and California.  You must visit a total of SIX different places (at least THREE must be physical). It is important that you explore a variety of places and during this experience consider all aspects of what defines the particular culture of this community.  

 

Cultural / Ethnic Enclaves of CA

 

Local: (Use this website to discover many of the neighborhoods of LA)

http://discoverlosangeles.com/guides/neighborhoods/

 

 

State: (Virtual Tours Around the State)

 

San Francisco:

http://www.sanfranciscomerchants.com/attractions/san_francisco_virtual_tours.htm

 

San Diego

http://www.sandiego.gov/

 

Orange County:

http://egov.ocgov.com/portal/site/ocgov/

 

San Jose

http://www.sanjoseca.gov/

 

Monterey County:

http://www.montereycountyvirtualtours.com/

 

Humboldt County:

http://co.humboldt.ca.us/

 

Fresno:

http://www.fresno.gov/default.htm

 

Sacramento:

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/

 

 

 

 

“Field Notes on Defining A Place”

 

Virtual Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical Notes: (Make sure to include name, location, and time)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Reflective Analysis and Response”

 

Re-read the last chapter of The Pastures of Heaven in which Steinbeck illustrates his prophecy for that place. Then, read the excerpt from Travels with Charlie in which Steinbeck addresses the changes that have occurred in Monterey and Salinas.  Consider the explanation that Steinbeck offers for these changes. What and who is responsible for what has happened to his home? Consider the changes that have happened in your own home.  How and why have things changed over the passage of time? Is this good or bad?  How have you contributed to these changes?

 

Response:

 

“Creative Expression #4”

Use the space below, back of the page, or additional pages to complete the Creative Expression based on your first experiences. 

 

Conclusion / Final Reflection

 

California Literature Experience Field Trip

Alternate Assignment

 

“I remember a man in Salinas who in his middle years traveled to Honolulu and back, and that journey continued for the rest of his life.  We could watch him in his rocking chair on his front porch, his eyes squinted, half-closed, endlessly traveling to Honolulu.” From Travels with Charlie

 

Steinbeck writes this description in the last chapter of Travels with Charlie.  Contrast this idea with the initial intention that Steinbeck has for taking his journey.   Connect what he writes about in the first chapter with this excerpt from the last.  Explain how taking an emotional journey can be equally as powerful as taking a physical one.  What aspects of this journey and this course will you “continue to take for the rest of your life”? Reflect on connections and discoveries that you have made over the course of this assignment.