Urban Studies: Student Work

Writing Assignment #2: Option 2: Comparing Social Visions

(susanne) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:07:13 GMT

Both Edward Bellamy (Looking Backward) and Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) portray Utopian visions in which a central authority governs over an army of workers and technological change has solved many practical problems. However Bellamy portrays these developments as positive advances toward creating a Utopia, while Huxley portrays the darker consequences of modern social changes.

Write a 5 paragraph essay (600-1000 words, 2-4 pages typed, double spaced) comparing and contrasting these two visions. Using quotes and/or examples from each book discuss how these authors portray three aspects (such as spatial, social, political, economic and/or technological) of their Utopian vision. What similarities and differences exist between the characteristics of these two societies? How does the mood or attitude with which the authors discuss the two societies differ?

Your comparison should have a central thesis, or overall statement of comparison between the two visions, and three supporting points. Quotes should be used as support, but should always be discussed and analyzed in your own words, to show how they demonstrate your argument. You be graded on the clarity of your comparison, the strength of your argument, the successful use of examples and quotes from the two books to support your ideas, and the quality of writing.

Writing Assignment #2: Option 1: Diary of a Utopian

(susanne) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:06:02 GMT

In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley portrays a variety of experiences of his utopian/dystopian vision by portraying the point of view of different characters such as Lenina, Bernard, and John. Depending on the character’s personality, knowledge and experiences, they reacted differently to living in the Brave New World. How do you think you would feel living in this society? Would you feel relaxed and leisurely or oppressed and controlled? Would you accept the codes of society, or resist them? Imagine that you are living in the society depicted in this book. Write a diary of how you would respond to one of the activities represented in this book? What would you think, feel, say, do? Some examples of activities would include: meeting the savage, visiting the reservation, touring the factory, participating in a community sing, etc.

Write a short creative essay depicting what you think may be the effect of this utopia on yourself as an individual and as a human being. This essay should be 600-1000 words, 2-4 pages typed, double-spaced. You will be graded on the level of thoughtfulness, evidence of direct response to the readings, the quality of writing, and creativity.

Assignment #1: “Reporter from the Future.”

(susanne) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:04:20 GMT

Imagine you are transported back in time to 19th century as described in Bellamy and in lecture. How would you explain the changes that have occurred? How would you account for the success or failures of the reforms they hoped to engender? What would you say to people who asked you to describe the future for them?

Imagine you have been hired as a newspaper reporter or lecturer who will communicate your knowledge and experience of the future to the public of the 19th century. What would you say?

Choose at least two of the following topics to discuss: physical, social, political, economic, and technology. Try to reference your knowledge of contemporary 21st century conditions, 19th century conditions, and the reform agendas that people from the 19th century hoped to engender.

This can be relatively short, approximately 2 pages, about 1000 words. Think about your rhetorical style, consider your audience.

Post your assignments below.

Assignment #1: Representing Your Home Town

(susanne) — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:02:24 GMT

Produce a description and/or depiction of your city or town using creative writing, drawing, painting, collage, photography, digital imagery, or another medium of your choice. (Photos and digital images should be printed.)

Make sure to consider:

What are the most important elements of the city?
What mood or atmosphere are you trying to portray?
What visual or rhetorical techniques can you use to portray your perception of the city?

Spend 1 to 2 hours on this assignment.
You should be prepared to present your writing or images to the class in a 5 minute presentation (approximately 500 words).

Please post your assignments bellow.