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Course Objectives:
The “City of Angels” course is a multidisciplinary, critical analysis of Los Angeles with a foundation in the literature, history, culture, ethnicity, politics, environment, art, architecture and films of and about Los Angeles. Los Angeles is unique among major American cities in that it is still in the process of inventing its own urban mythology or identity which, through the many works of its writers, filmmakers, scholars, and even the city itself as classroom for various on-site observations, we can study in order to analyze this relatively young yet complex, unusual, and fascinating city. Three concepts are central to this course: 1) learning happens through experiential immersion; 2) understanding other cultures is the key to living comfortably in a heterogeneous society and thus is the key to success; and 3) knowing the history of a society is essential to appreciating its present fabric and casting an educated eye to its future.
Several experiential field trips will be taken to various sites related to our study of Los Angeles. These trips will occur during regularly scheduled class times, and will be both educational and enjoyable experiences. Transportation will be provided by either Metro Rail or carpool. Student expenses for this course include course packet fee, and field trip transportation, food, and any entrance/event fees. Total course expenses will amount to less than a single college textbook, of which there is none.
This course is based in principles of critical thinking, which will improve the student’s skills in the analysis and expression of the English language through extensive exercises in fiction/non-fiction reading, analytical essay writing, and in-class verbal analysis. The various readings in the “City of Angels” course packet will be the basis for three essay writing assignments (500-1000 words each). The student will also learn how to effectively conduct research by utilizing the library, internet, and other public information resources. Additionally, the student will choose and analyze three complete works from an extensive “City of Angels” bibliography of novels, films, and non-fiction critical works, plus other researched readings. This reading and research will result in a final, ten page analytical term paper based on themes relevant to an overall understanding of the history, literature, culture, and environment of Los Angeles. Final grades for this course shall be based on a demonstration of interest, and improved analytical skills resulting from the various reading, writing, and oral analysis assignments throughout the semester.
Course Schedule:
- Opening Class: Welcome to a Unique Academic Experience: Introduction to a multidisciplinary study of Los Angeles through fiction and non-fiction literature, history, culture, film, and environment, with a foundation in critical thinking, writing, and verbal analysis. Discussion of course objectives and schedule, “City of Angels” course packet readings, essay writing assignments, “City of Angels” bibliography, research paper, field trips, and grades.
- Lecture: The Self-conscious Invention of a Great American City: chronological overview of the history of Los Angeles.
- Documentary Film: Shotgun Freeway: Drives through Lost L.A.:
Analysis and discussion of local interviews with prominent L.A. resident- scholars (Joan Didion, James Ellroy, Mike Davis, Buck Henry, David Hockney, Buddy Collette, Gene Norman, etc.)
- Literature: Seeing Ourselves through the Writer’s Eye: Critical analysis of L.A. fiction classics (excerpts): Ask the Dust (Fante); Ramona (Hunt-Jackson); The Martian Chronicles (Bradbury); The Handyman (See); Revolt of the Cockroach People (Zeta-Acosta); The Day of the Locust (West); The Big Nowhere (Ellroy); If He Hollers Let Him Go (Himes); The Last Tycoon (Fitzgerald); What Makes Sammy Run (Schulberg); The Nowhere City (Lurie); City of Night (Rechy); Play It As It Lays (Didion); Devil In a Blue Dress (Mosley); In the Heart of the Valley of Love (Kadohata); Post Office (Bukowski); Farewell My Lovely (Chandler); After Many A Summer Dies the Swan (Huxley); Oil! (Sinclair); The Loved One (Waugh); Down There on A Visit (Isherwood); Hope of Heaven (O’Hara); The Slide Area (Lambert). (Essay writing assignment #1)
- L.A. Field Trip #1: Rewriting History: Southwest Museum guided tour and lecture on the original inhabitants and indigenous people of Southern California. Discussion of the Native Americans (Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam) and Mexicans, the inhabitants of Southern California prior to and after the establishment of Los Angeles. Includes visit to the Historical Society of Southern California, headquartered in the adjacent landmark Charles F.Lummis home, “El Alisal,” in Highland Park. Transportation by Metro Gold Line or carpool.
- Lecture: Research paper overview: Discussion of paper objectives, format, and MLA research guidelines. Students must choose and announce three works from extensive “City of Angels” bibliography, all relating to themes about Los Angeles. Additional research sources must also be used. Research Paper due last class.
- Music: From Central Avenue to Venice Beach to the Sunset Strip: Music scenes which reflect L.A.’s identity: Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordon, Eric Dolphy, Buddy Collette, Miles Davis, Art Pepper (Jazz); The Beach Boys(Surf); Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne (Folk); Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, N.W.A. (West Coast Gangsta Rap and Hip Hop); The Byrds, The Doors, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Warren Zevon, Los Lobos, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frank Zappa (Rock).
- Literature: The Scholars Speak: Critical analysis of L.A. non-fiction classics (excerpts): Los Angeles in Fiction (Fine); “Writers In Hollywood” (Chandler); “Santa Ana Winds” (Didion); Ecology of Fear (Davis); City of Quartz (Davis); Southern California: An Island on the Land (McWilliams); Los Angeles: Capital of the Third World (Rieff); William Mulholland and the Rise of Los Angeles (Mulholland); Literary L.A. (Rolfe); Inventing the Dream: California Through the Progressive Era (Starr). (Essay writing assignment #2)
- Film: From Noir to Satire: L.A. classic film (excerpt) overview. Emphasis on locating and discussing filmmakers’ underlying themes about Los Angeles: Sunset Boulevard; L.A. Confidential; Falling Down; Double Indemnity; Blade Runner; L.A. Story; Mildred Pierce; Chinatown; Day of the Locust; Less Than Zero; Mi Familia; Colors; The Postman Always Rings Twice; Boyz N’ the Hood; Grand Canyon; Zoot Suit; American Me; Rebel Without a Cause; They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?; A Star Is Born; Beach Party; Gidget; Planet of the Apes; Born in East L.A.; Hollywood Shuffle; Barfly; Escape from L.A.; Volcano; Laurel Canyon; The Big Lebowski; etc.
- L.A. Field Trip #2: Treasures of the City, A Three Hour Tour: historic/cultural core of downtown L.A.: Pershing Square, Biltmore Hotel, Central Library, Edison Gas Co., Bunker Hill, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Disney Concert Hall, Angel’s Flight Railway, Grand Central Market, Los Angeles Times Bldg., Bradbury Building, Biddy Mason Homestead, Broadway Historic Theater District, Clifton’s Cafeteria, and Fine Arts Building. Transportation by Metro Red Line or carpool.
- Literature: Minority Perspectives on Los Angeles: Luis Rodriguez,
Louis Alfaro, Monster Cody, Paul Monette, Cynthia Kadohata, Oscar Zeta – Acosta, John Fante, Michael Nava, Thomas Sanchez, Russell Leong, Luis Valdez, etc. (Essay #3)
- Guest Speaker Series: Insider Information: One prominent Los Angeles resident-scholar invited to address class each semester. Speaker to be announced.
- Journalism: All the News that’s Fit to Print: Analysis of L.A. from a variety of local journalistic perspectives: Los Angeles Times; La Opinion; The Los Angeles Sentinel; L.A. Weekly; Daily News; Downtown News; Hollywood Independent; Frontiers Magazine; extinct newspapers (El Clamor Publico; Los Angeles Mirror; Los Angeles Herald Examiner); promotional zines past and present (Westways; Sunset; Los Angeles Magazine; Angeleno; Buzz; Land of Sunshine; Coronet magazine).
- L.A. Field Trip #3: Rancho Camulos: Connecting the Past with the Present (historic Mexican era Del Valle estate/museum and setting for Ramona, located in environmentally endangered Santa Clarita River valley of northwestern L.A. County). Transportation by carpool.
- Final Class: That’s All, Folks: Analysis/Research paper due. Survivors’ party at Vito’s pizzeria (across from City College campus).
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