COURSE SYLLABUS

Guam Studies --- Mr. Blas

School Year 1999 – 2000

Text: Rogers, Robert F., Destiny’s Landfall

(University of Hawaii Press, 1995)

Guam Studies is a full year social studies course dealing with the island of Guam. This course will cover all aspects of the island. Throughout the year, the student will learn about Guam’s history, culture, language, economy, political structure, society and natural environment. A great deal of emphasis will be placed on current events. Several videos will also be viewed during the year to supplement the readings and lectures. The course will help to develop the student’s reading, writing, oral and analytical skills. It is hoped that knowledge of Guam history will provide a better understanding of all aspects of modern Guam society.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Reading: Regular reading assignments will be given as homework. Since class lectures and discussions will be centered around these assignments, it is crucial that they be completed on time.

Class Notes: The bulk of the information used for this course will be transmitted through class lectures and discussions. It is highly recommended that each student take good class notes.

Class Participation: Each student is expected to participate in all class discussions and other activities.

Journal: Each student will be required to keep a course journal. This journal will contain writing assignments dealing with class readings and current events. Each entry must be printed neatly in blue or black ink and must not exceed one page in length. Journals will be collected periodically for grading, and all assigned entries must be completed by collection time. Missed entries may be made up for half credit.

Current Events: The first day of each week will be devoted to a discussion of current events pertinent to Guam. Students will also be required to produce a current event report in their journal each week.

Class Work: A variety of in-class assignments will be given on a daily basis to ensure that students are keeping up on the readings and paying attention to class discussions. Pop quizzes will also be given regularly.

Reports: One or two reports will be assigned each quarter. The nature of these reports will vary each quarter.

Final Exam: A comprehensive exam will conclude each quarter. The fourth quarter exam will cover the entire year.

GRADING BREAKDOWN:

Journal 40%

Class Work 15%

Class Participation 5%

Reports 20%

Final Exam 20%

COURSE OUTLINE:

FIRST QUARTER

--Natural Environment

--Pre-Contact Chamoru Society

--What is Commonwealth?

SECOND QUARTER

--Early Contact with the West (1521 – 1668)

--The Spanish – Chamoru Wars (1668 – 1700)

--Spanish Guam (1700 – 1898)

THIRD QUARTER

--Early U.S. Naval Administration (1891 – 1941)

--The War in the Pacific (1941 – 1945)

--Postwar Problems and Progress (1945 – 1950)

FOURTH QUARTER

--Contemporary Guam History (1950 – Present)

--Modern Political & Economic Development

--Multiethnic Guam Society: Pros & Cons

--Today’s Natural Environment