Giving Yourself Ulcers:
Exploring Culture through Writing (and Vice Versa)

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PROJECT #2 : ANALYSIS OF A PUBLIC SPACE ROUGH DRAFT DUE: October 28, 2004 FINAL   DRAFT DUE: November 4, 2004 Rationale In this project, you will think, write, and examine the many public spaces that we move in and out of on a daily basis. Often we are not even aware that these spaces affect the way we act, interact, feel, and think and that they might have been designed with that purpose in mind (refer to our discussion on Do Artifacts Have Politics?). By examining and comparing the underlying messages in two separate public spaces, you will gain a deeper understanding and awareness of the values, politics, and messages both explicit and implicit in these spaces as well as how these spaces shape and are shaped by us. Assignment Pick a type of public space, for example: restaurants, hotels, public parks, coffee shops, etc. Then, pick 2 different examples of that public space. For example, if your public space is Fast Food Restaurants, then two examples would be Wendy's and McDonald's. The only requirement for picking these two specific spaces is that they must exist close enough for you to actually go to them. So, you can't pick the grand canyon (unless you actually plan to make the 5 hour drive). Pick a place that's convenient and near by. Your assignment is to visit these two spaces. When you visit, take notes on the physical attributes, how the space is laid out, and how the two spaces are different. Also, notice the type of people who come into this space and how they interact/behave. What do you think they are feeling/thinking? In your paper, I want you to write about these two spaces. How are they different and how are they the same? Talk about these differences and what they mean in its cultural context: how are the values different in each space? How are these spaces marketed and who are the target audiences? What kinds of actions and interactions are encouraged / discouraged by these spaces and how? What are the implicit political leanings of this space? Your paper should describe each public space to the reader BEFORE it examines their cultural significance. Assume the reader has never been to the public space you are writing about. Describe it to the reader so that the reader can experience what you experienced. Stick to specifics and to details! Use descriptive and evocative language. If you need, you may also include a photograph in the body of the paper. Do not limit yourself to these questions... You all did a good job in your last assignment by asking many questions of your own and examining your artifact based on your own line of questioning. I want you to do the same here! Sources Use at least 3 outside sources for this assignment. Cite these sources on a separate bibliography page. Also, include a paragraph about each one of your sources. For example, if you used short quotes from 3 different articles, then I want a paragraph summary about each article (so 3 paragraphs total). You may use any of the readings we did in class as a source as well. Use MLA style when citing. If you need help, go to this page for more formatting specifics. Please note that I am not a stickler for MLA formatting. So don't sweat it... if you get a comma wrong or something, it's okay. It's more important (to me) that you ARE citing your sources than that you get the formatting down. Paper Format typed, double spaced last name on every page. Full name on first page. No other personal information required (class name, time, etc.). a title is very important. Be creative. The title should draw me into the content of the paper and not just be a re-iteration of the content. use font size 12 or smaller. use easy to read fonts (Times New Roman is a safe bet) set the margins to be no more than 1.25" turn in your final paper with any earlier drafts/freewrites that helped inform it. Evaluation I will be looking for how close of an examination and analysis you did on your spaces. Did you examine all the important questions concerning your spaces? Did you think about what values went into the design of these spaces? Did you think about the spaces in terms of its cultural context and meaning? Did you show an understanding of how spaces affect the community's behaviors inside that space? Did you make observations and ask questions about your space that are original and enlightening? Does your investigation open up interesting lines of thought and possibilities instead of reducing things down to generalities and conclusions? I will also be looking for good organization, personal observations, and research. Let me know if you have any questions!