The term paper is a chance to explore some of California’s physical and cultural
characteristics by means of a virtual road trip. The assignment is to describe a natural or
cultural phenomenon and to explain why it exists.

The topic of the paper is physical or cultural asset in California to justify a road trip to explore it. The paper first describes the asset (one page or less), and then explains why it exists and its significance. Here are three examples of possible topics—

1. Travel to historic places—Visit sites associated with the California Gold Rush like Sutter’s Fort, the South Fork of the American River and various towns along California Highway 49 that winds through the Sierra Foothills.
2. Visit natural sites—The Coast Redwoods (very tall), Giant Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada (very massive), and the Bristlecone Pines of the White Mountains (very old) are amazing natural phenomena, any of which would make a great road trip.

3. Experience California culture—Many ethnic communities endure in California supporting cultural ties to many immigrants. Explore Black communities in Oakland, Hispanic communities in Los Angeles, or Asian communities in Orange County. Or explore the surfing culture that exists in various forms along the coast. The possibilities are endless.