Project #3: Ways of Seeing Juxtapositions
Throughout the texts for this next project, there is a common thread of observing overlaps and changes. Patrick Sisson interviews Chuck Wolfe to understand how photographers become urbanists by documenting overlaps. Colson Whitehead, in “The Way We Live Now: 11-11-01” writes about the overlap of different New Yorks, with relics from different eras and different communities co-existing or edging each other out. Lex Berko writes about how close beautiful or peaceful routes are to unattractive or chaotic ones. Janny Scott writes about the proximity of privilege and poverty. Jennifer Egan examines historical documents, imagining an overlap from the 1940s and present day Brooklyn. Other readings from our course will also address the overlapping or neighboring of difference.
For this project, walk for approximately 15 minutes in the area surrounding City Tech in any direction you choose. On your walk, look for sites of difference occupying the same or neighboring spaces–these juxtapositions will become the focus of your Project #3. There are different kinds of juxtapositions you can find: historical, sociological, material, architectural, aesthetic, urban planning, social justice, etc.
On your walk, record your path, and photograph what you see to include photographs in your assignment. Choose one location where you find your chosen overlap to compare in this project.
In a well-organized essay of approximately 900-1200 words, identify one instance of juxtaposition that you find, and compare the two elements based on what you can observe using your senses. To do so, describe the details of what you see. What is significant about the juxtaposition you have chosen? As you consider your answer to this question, Incorporate ideas from the readings from this course: quote from at least two of our readings, either as support or as counterpoint to your argument. Properly cite your sources.
To prepare and complete Project #3, write the following blog posts/comments:
- Due 10/17: add a comment to the homework post: what is your approach? Are you looking for something in particular or are you letting yourself discover what you discover? What research could you do to if you wanted to have a plan? Even if pre-research isn’t your approach, what questions could you ask and where would you find the answers?
- Due 10/22: Choose a location. Pinpoint your location on a map, and include a photograph of the location. In a post on our OpenLab Ways of Seeing site, write your process for walking there so someone else can get there, too. This should be more detailed than Google Maps directions would be by including descriptions of landmarks to help someone travel the same path you did, noticing the same things you did. This is one example of what is called process writing. Another important type of writing for students in your major is descriptive writing. Describe your location, including all sensory experiences you had at the location. Identify the juxtaposition, and explain the elements of the overlap. Explain how your photograph frames the location. How does it capture your juxtaposition—or how can’t it capture it? If you chose to do any research prior to your walk, write about it here.
- Due 10/24 : Find 3-4 passages from the relevant readings that you can use as support or counterpoint for your project and explain how each supports or contradicts you’re your observed overlap. You will incorporate two of these quotations into your project to either to support what you write or to engage their ideas in contrast with your subject and your interpretation of it.
- Due 10/29: Post a draft and bring a copy to class (post with category ENG1101 Project #3 and tag Draft, plus any others you choose)
- Due 10/31: Update draft and post it (class = library session) (post with category ENG1101 Project #3 and tag Draft, plus any others you choose)
- Due 11/5: Post and bring to class a complete draft of Project #3 with a drafted Works Cited list (post with category ENG1101 Project #3 and tag Draft, plus any others you choose)
- Due 11/7: Complete Project #3 with a Works Cited list (post with category ENG1101 Project #3 and tag Deliver, plus any others you choose)
In writing this essay, you will
- learn to use the words juxtaposition and juxtapose;
- learn to note similarities and differences between and among class readings and personal experiences;
- learn to detail your process in writing
- learn to write descriptively about your observations and opinions;
- learn to write comparatively about things you see and about differing viewpoints;
- further develop your ability to quote from and respond to our assigned readings;
- continue to gain expertise in citing quotations parenthetically according to MLA format and compiling a Works Cited list;
- express your ideas and style with clear, grammatically correct prose.
- Bonus: explore and become familiar with the area around City Tech.
