SOC 906 • California History
California Missions:
1769–Secularization
Explore California's Mission Period through its people, purpose, culture, architecture, economics, music, Native experiences, restoration, and archaeology—while discovering resources and technology you can bring directly into your classroom.
Explore California's Mission Period
Examine the California missions as historical communities shaped by Spanish colonization, Native peoples, religion, economics, architecture, culture, and change.
SOC 906 focuses on California's Mission Period from 1769 through secularization in the 1830s. Through historical readings, expert interviews, videos, online resources, and course activities, you will explore why Spain established missions in Alta California and how the mission system developed.
The course examines the people associated with the founding of the missions as well as Native experiences, daily life, economics, music, architecture, religion, trades, restoration, and archaeology. Throughout the course, historical content is paired with digital tools and instructional applications that can support social studies learning in your classroom.
What You'll Explore
Look at the mission system from several perspectives to develop a broader understanding of this complex period in California history.
Founding the Missions
Examine Spain's objectives in Alta California, the establishment of the mission system, and important people connected with its development.
Native Experiences
Consider Native peoples' experiences within the mission system, including recruitment, treatment, daily conditions, cultural change, and assimilation.
Mission Life & Culture
Explore mission economics, trades, religion, music, agriculture, work, and the organization of daily life.
Architecture & Preservation
Investigate mission architecture, restoration, archaeology, preservation, and the ways historic sites help us interpret the past.
A Six-Module Exploration of the Missions
Each module combines historical content with digital tools, resources, reflection, and practical classroom application.
Module 1
The Social Studies Classroom
Examine technology in social studies instruction and establish the course blog that will become part of your ongoing learning and reflection.
Module 2
Founding the Missions
Study the establishment of California's missions, read the opening sections of the course text, listen to expert resources, and develop your first historical blog post.
Module 3
Native Americans & Mission Economics
Examine Native experiences and the economic structure of mission life while using Piktochart to present historical information visually.
Module 4
Mission Music & Historical Resources
Investigate mission music and historical interpretation while building collections of books and online resources for classroom use.
Module 5
Mission Architecture
Explore the architecture of California's missions and use Google Earth to develop a digital tour connected to historic mission sites.
Module 6
Restoration & Archaeology
Study mission restoration and archaeology, investigate National Park Service resources, and create an archaeology-based classroom lesson.
Create While You Learn
SOC 906 incorporates technology and resource development throughout the course so your work can extend beyond the class itself.
Course Blog
Build and develop a digital space for historical learning, reflection, and instructional resources.
Piktochart
Present mission-related historical information through a visual digital format.
GoodReads Bookshelf
Curate literature and books that can support mission history and classroom learning.
Online Resource Collection
Use Padlet to organize useful mission history websites and digital instructional resources.
Google Earth Tour
Connect geography, historic locations, and mission architecture through a digital tour.
Archaeology Lesson Plan
Complete the course by designing a standards-based archaeology learning experience for students.
Learn Through History, Experts & Digital Resources
Course learning includes historical readings, expert interviews, audio resources, videos, websites, digital tools, and classroom-focused assignments.
These resources allow you to examine several dimensions of mission history while also building a collection of materials and strategies for teaching social studies.
Required Course Text
The Famous Missions of California
The required text must be acquired separately. Additional online resources, multimedia, interviews, and digital materials are incorporated throughout the course.
California History Certificate
This Course Can Be Part of Something Bigger
SOC 906 is one of the Fresno Pacific University courses applicable toward the California History Certificate. Educators interested in completing the certificate can combine this course with other qualifying California history courses.
Develop a deeper understanding of California's Mission Period through historical readings and expert resources.
Investigate Native experiences, mission life, economics, music, architecture, restoration, archaeology, and historic places.
Use technology, digital resources, literature, geography, and lesson design to connect what you learn to your own classroom.
Great value. Will definitely use information from the course.
Tony R. • California Missions
Ready to Begin?
Explore California's Mission Period.
Enroll through Fresno Pacific University's Center for Professional Development and deepen your understanding of California mission history while building resources you can use with your students.