Project Space - California State University, Northridge



Project Space

“Spaces can be as vast and open as a desert or as small and compact as a wren’s nest, as simple as a blank sheet of paper or as complex as a Gothic cathedral. The word ‘space,’ of course, means different things to different people. To an astronaut, it can mean everything outside the earth’s atmosphere; to a book designer, it may mean the absence of typographical clutter; to a magazine publisher, it represents what can profitably be sold to advertisers.” –Convergences (286)

Think about the concept of space in Los Angeles through our readings and your own explorations (primary and secondary).

Choose a space that you would like to research and explore. This place can be anywhere – a coffee shop, a record store, a specific street corner, a sports arena (see more ideas in the list below).

Develop a commentary about society or community/belief systems based on your chosen space and/or how it defines you individually or who we are collectively.

Writing Task:

Consider how the particular space you studied during your group work reflects some form of ideology or how it shapes our understanding of difference. Does the space highlight a specific social and/or political issue? Does the space reflect socioeconomic concerns? Are certain issues connected/related to particular spaces?

For the Project Space Essay, you should further explore the implications of space and the social issues tied with it. The goal of your essay is to clearly define how certain spaces are wrought with ideologies that affect and shape our conceptions of world and being, or how certain issues are tied with certain spaces.

Some questions to consider:

• Does the use of space fit its purpose?

• Consider how this supports/challenges the customary way we see the world around us.

• How is this Los Angeles or LA?

• Discuss how the space functions in a larger context? (Hospitals, Museums, Universities, etc.)

• How does the history of this space hold meaning for us?

• How does this space “shape” us, and/or how have we “shaped” it?

Do not simply answer these questions but rather use them to get ideas for the kind of information you should include in your essay.

Requirements:

➢ You will form groups of 4/5 and each group will be in charge of certain reading selections from Convergences, weblinks, and downloaded articles from Another City during class throughout the unit.

✓ March 29 during class Group presentation reporting on the fieldwork (site visit) that explores the implications and effects of the space through a close reading incorporating research (use website links on our syllabus and/or Convergences, articles from Another City) to establish a collaborative interpretation of the text. The presentation should use new media technologies (e.g. PowerPoint, Google presentation, , blogs, website).

o Group leaders are expected to effectively present their findings for at least 15 minutes and pose questions to the class that will encourage further thinking.

o Presentations will be assessed by me per the presentation rubric.

o Each group member will be assessed by fellow members for participation and contribution per the participation rubric. Each member will write up their assessment on their fellow members, giving each member a letter grade for their participation and contribution to the group work.

✓ March 18 Sun 1155PM-Rough drafts (4 pages min.) post on proper Forum see online schedule & Moodle for whole class workshop dates/deadlines for writing responses posts.

✓ March 29 prior to class Ethnography uploaded to blog: First, you will individually do an ethnography of the place you have chosen. Remember, an ethnography means going to the place for an hour or two and writing down your observations. Then, you will go home, introduce your “space,” explain your observations, and then analyze your observations. 2 pages minimum detailing the specific space you have chosen to observe. Uploaded images of site are encouraged.

✓ March 29 prior to class: Each student will write an essay (approx. 1500 words in length) and upload it onto their blog (incorporating new media technologies is highly encouraged). See below.

Sources: In addition to the site visit (which must include an ethnography), use at least three (3) outside sources, which may include one of the readings from Convergences, your ethnography, one of the downloaded articles from Another City as well as outside sources, which are: journal and periodical articles, reputable websites—must be pre-approved with instructor—and books. Dictionaries and encyclopedias do NOT count towards these minimum requirements.

Length: 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1” margins

***While you have a choice of topics, I suggest that you avoid issues such as abortion, rape and the legalization of marijuana.

Some suggestions for site visits:

• Museums, like the Getty Center, LACMA, MOCA, or the Gene Autry, or Ripley's

• The Los Angeles Zoo

• Los Angeles Union Station, Olvera Street

• The Los Angeles Public Library (downtown)

• The Music Center or Disney Hall

• Homeboy Industries

• Design Center

• The Grove

• A cemetery

• A grocery store you aren't used to. E.g. Whole Foods, or an ethnic grocer

• Other location of your choice. Clear with instructor. Persuade me!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download