Assignment 3c: Inland Areas: Palm Springs vs. Davis

1. 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
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis,_California#Climate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs,_California#Sites_of_interest
http://daviswiki.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWDTG3iQPIY
http://www.palm-springs.org/

2. 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

The research component of this assignment relates to our studies of humanities because it allows us to examine California culture with an objective point of view. We are asked to consider possible stereotypes that others may have. This leads us to assess different parts of California in order to counter false pretenses. By doing so we are submerging ourselves in the historical background and rich traditions of our state’s diverse districts. Most importantly it allows us to gain an appreciation for regions of California that we normally might not have had before the assignment.

3. 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 stereotypes about Davis are its size and economy. Many consider it a very small town full solely of college students. Many also believe that livestock make up half of the population because the town prides itself in its agricultural-based economy. I think many assume the town’s only real attributes are their agriculture and University. Some stereotypes about Palm Springs might be that it is a desert full of wealthy retirees. Besides the occasional casino and nice spas many may assume that there is not much to this desert oasis.

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

Both Davis and Palm Springs grew and developed around the Southern Pacific Railroad-- each with the intention of railroad use. Davis and Palm Springs are both located a little over an hour away from major coastal cities. Davis is about 72 miles away from San Francisco and Palm Springs is 111 miles from Los Angeles. Davis and Palm Springs are both homes to community colleges as well as relatively close California State Universities. Davis is only a couple miles away from California State University, Sacramento and Palm Springs is only a couple miles away from California State University, San Bernardino.

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

Because Palm Springs is sheltered by three different mountain ranges, it has a very hot, dry desert-like climate. Davis on the other hand has a more varied, Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and cold winters. Palm Springs is known for its mid-century modern architecture where as Davis is recognized for its University and small, college-based town. Palm Springs residents rely on cars for transportation. Davis’s main form of transportation is by bike. UC Davis and the rest of the town is so saturated with bicycles, that the city and college campus have created numerous bike lanes, bike paths, bike round-abouts and bike crossings.

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 know that despite Davis’s small town size it has quite a large population. I would like to know if this population has increased over time because of UC Davis students. I also know that Palm Springs’s economy now relies on tourism but I would like to know what was the main source of income during the city’s earlier years.

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

After reading Lindsey’s blog I learned that Seal Beach was named after the seals that once swam its waters. This information was interesting to me because I grew up in Seattle and as a little girl I would visit Puget Sound and watch the seals that would occasionally migrate down from Alaska. This is related to our class and California’s cultural context because seals are a part of the state’s coastal wildlife. It is an important part of the environment and is a social incentive to keep our beaches clean.

Lindsey’s Blog Link: http://lindsey-lindseylogan.blogspot.com/2009/03/3b-beaches-seal-beach-mavericks.html