Month: January 2016

Syllabus Quiz

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What are the major projects? In a bulleted list, provide links to the project descriptions for each of them.

How will your final grade be calculated?

Final Grades will be calculated by the total amount of points each student has earned by completing assignments, making submissions of summaries, projects and participation in class.

What is the “submission form” and how do you use it?

The submission form is where each student should go to submit any work or proof of work that was completed. You use it by stating your name, email address, the link for said assignment and a brief description of what you are submitting.

Submission Form

Embed the form below your answer (hint: Google “embed Google form” to find out how).

Embed the course calendar and weekly overview below this question.

Course Calendar/Weekly Overview

Where on the course website can you find an overview of what’s due and the readings for each unit?

You can find an overview of what’s due and the readings for each unit on the Course Overview page on the blog after scrolling to “What is the general plan for this course, and when are things due?” section. Right below there is a week by week breakdown of due dates.

What is the best way to see an overview of what’s due each week?

The best way to see what’s due each week is to check the Weekly Overview page on google docs. The link can be found on Dr. Wharton’s blog.

What is the attendance policy?

The attendance policy varies by what section the student is in. Students in the Monday Hybrid section get a 40 point deduction for every missed class.

What are my office hours, and how do you make an appointment to see me outside of class?

Office hours are from 9-11 on Mondays and Wednesdays in Park Place 2434. To set up an appointment the student should email the professor.

How do you earn participation credit? Provide a link to the instructions/guidelines for particiption.

To earn participation credit the student must interact with his/her peers in and out of class. The instructions and guidelines reside here: Participation Points

How many points can you earn by participating in or organizing a study group session?

You can earn up to 25 points per study group session.

How can you be assured of earning an “A” in this course?

You can be assured of earning an “A” in the course by earning over 2,500 points by the end of the semester.

What are the minimum requirements for earning a passing grade of “C”?

Students with at least 1,475 points by the end of the semester would have earned a “C”.

What do you do if you’re not sure how to document your participation in order to earn points?

If you are unsure how to document participation, you should stop by during office hours or ask before/after class.

“Tapestry of Space”

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Spectacle is a word used to observe and interpret on how society uses certain images to help people understand or develop relationships. In the social world today, spectacle is a gateway that allows people to use the media to feel a connection within themselves (4). In a world where material production is key, it is hard for one to see the truth behind how the media depicts certain area of atmosphere. For example, the photographs taken by Margaret Morton of the homeless under the bridge portrayed such a strong message, due to the true implication behind it (5).

Dérive is a psychogeography term that takes one on an impulsive trip through a type of media or scenery. Morton uses her photography to show the effects of the city streets and tunnels on the homeless. Observing the picture shows how difficult it must be to try and live in this type of environment, and really confronts the readers mind to think about the other aspects on what it must be like to call your home to be under a tunnel. It provokes readers thought processes to consider the opposite point of view, as opposed of what they are actually used to (7).

Margaret_Morton_Tunnel_shafts-43c13665dfb1873fe78789f3e7c5d38c.jpg
margaretmorton.com

It is obvious that the tunnel is shown in a very negative way to society, because even the city neglects the idea of the tunnel in general. A city is very dependent on consumers’ money, to keep the standards of the good city life. On brochures, maps, or even suggestions on tourist spots, this location is avoided in every humane way possible. It is almost like the city is embarrassed, or even ashamed to show this side of reality to potential new habitants. The tunnel is a metaphor on how dark and cold the world may be, and how the inhabitants living in that space can be perceived to be these terrible humans because society is too afraid to help or understand their stories (13).

Besides from the photos, the term “homeless” is a word that everyone wants to avoid. From an average persons’ perspective, being homeless is something that you look down upon, because the media has implanted a certain image to this particular word. As said in her epilogue, “Most of the entrances have been padlocked or welded shut by Amtrak police” (23). This comes to show that people want to shut these people out from the world simply because they have a stereotype of being violent, or demonstrate criminal-like behavior (24).

Not all of Morton’s intentions were to demonstrate feelings of sorrow or remorsefulness; these pictures allow the reader to be invited into the lives of those who truly call this tunnel their home. It broadens the mind of the reader, and goes to show that there are so many of those who are less fortunate than you (31). There are so many different examples of individuality in this world, and Morton does an excellent job of reminding us that you do not have to be in the norm to be a human being. These photographs also remind us that space, or a surrounding is not something that you should take for granted (39).

“Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment”

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In the text “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment”, by Sarah Schindler, many topics which pertain to structured separation of cultures, and groups of people may be put into place be it intentional or unintentional motives. Some of the many structures being put in place to separate ranged from highways to legislation and zoning practices. The reason these institutions are problematic for society is because it keeps the underprivileged from attaining the chance to move up and better themselves. At many times these divides are not seen to be disturbances in the community by legislators and lawmakers or they are just overlooked. Schindler makes note of how these divides are usually racially motivated. Many times it is explained that the structures tend to attempt to keep lower classes out or away from the area which usually reflects a certain race of people. This can be exampled in Atlanta with Cobb County’s creation of Cobb County Transit. Anytime talks of MARTA being expanded to reach Cobb, they are received with much disdain from citizens of Cobb and local political leaders. CCT extensively limits the amount of travel that is possible within its borders when compared to easy access to most of the city in Atlanta through the use of MARTA. Often times advocates of MARTA’s expansion say that the ban is just to prevent people of lower incomes from entering. This is backed by the fact that the lack of sidewalks in Cobb makes it virtually impossible for anyone to work without owning a car. This also creates a separation of people in other areas of the state from accessing job opportunities in the secluded county. One portion of the article states that

“public transportation continues to be routed in a way that makes it difficult for some blacks to get to and from leisure venues that more affluent or more mobile persons freely enjoy”

This can be exampled with the construction of the new braves stadium in Cobb County. The city of Atlanta and MARTA have announced no plans to extend the rail lines to the new stadium as Turner field was easily accessible through it. While this might change the people who attend the sporting events it also will affect the demographics of the potential employees and their location. Previous Turner Field employees who depended on MARTA for transportation to their job will now have to seek alternative jobs. In the area law makers and new developers in the area may team up and use zoning ordinances to change the local area of Turner field and gentrification will occur.

The lack of MARTA in Cobb County is also mirrored in north atlanta. MARTA only runs to Lenox Mall in north atlanta because the citizens in the area expressed that expanding it to their areas would increase the amount of crime in their suburban areas. They also feared for citizens in other areas of the city having accessibility to their employment opportunities.

All of these barriers and institutions including zoning, expansion of public transportation and creation of highways are ways that citizens and legislators alike may prevent certain people from accessing an area and potentially moving up in society.