Jay Hargis, Professor of History

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About PROFESSOR JAY HARGIS

EDUCATION BACKGROUND:

Elementary, middle, & first years of high school in Concord, California; graduated from Seaside High on the Oregon Coast; attended Clatsop Community College (Astoria, OR), graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in History; California State University, Chico with an M.A. in History (with distinction); California State University, Fresno with Social Science secondary credential; also classes from UC Berkeley Extension, Chapman University, Porterville College, University of San Diego, Foothill College, and Cerro Coso College

EXPERIENCE:

Prof. Hargis is in the midst of  his sixth year @ Porterville College this semester as a full-time instructor.  He previously taught history here 17 years part time (since Summer 1988) while teaching history/social studies in the Porterville Unified School District including the Porterville Adult School (also the Woodville Labor Camp), Pioneer Middle School, Bartlett Middle School, and most recently at Monache High School, where he taught AP US History and World History Honors along with other history classes.  At Bartlett M.S. Prof. Hargis led 9 student study tours to Washington DC and New York City, as well as 3 archaeology program tours to Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in southwestern Colorado.  He remains a firm believer in on-site learning - "fieldtripping."

Prior to teaching, he was an intern at the California State Archives, an archivist (and historian) for Bank of America; a "grassroots" lobbyist for Bank of America, and (very) briefly director of legislative affairs for the California Association of Ophthalmology.

AREAS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST:

Mexico, the rest of Latin America, Mexican Americans, Antebellum America (especially political developments), American Revolution era, American Foreign Policy, Britain, Early Modern Europe, Religion, Middle East, & exploring History curriculum development, basic skills, and learning (of course)

CLASSES TAUGHT:

Early Latin American History, Modern Latin American History, History of Mexico, Mexican American History, History of the Middle East, Western Civilization II, US History to 1877, & US History Since 1877

CAMPUS COMMITTEES

Curriculum, Student Learning Outcomes, PC's Cultural & Historical Awareness Program (CHAP)

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

Travel Latin America (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Costa Rica, & Belize), SW US, New York City, Canada, & Europe); reading & discussing history (what else?), science fiction; collecting Latin American folk art and textiles; watching & discussing good films & television (international, classic, sci fi); discussing politics & culture; finding great recipes, restaurants, and wine bargains; entertaining; exploring the central coast; producing audio "historycasts," keeping up on Mac tech developments & news, taking good care of my two crazy boston terriers, & supporting UCLA programs & sports.

GOALS FOR 2010-2011

Developing two classes in World History & Creation of a History AA degree at Porterville College; successfully linking my Modern Latin American History class with our Advanced Spanish class creating a learning community for Spring semester; travel to Mexico and/or Argentina